Letters to the Editor The Weekly Hypocrisy To the Editor: Regarding your cover story (June 25th issue), “Out of the Mouths of Babes …,” the irony of finding myself delving through the topless ads (subliminally depicting women as nothing more than an assemblage of orifices) in search of the rest of the story on pregnant teens, is in my opinion noteworthy. The objectifying of women in this type of advertising is not only tolerated in most communities, but is widely accepted as part of our culture. Could it be that in the absence of positive female role models, girls such as those featured in your article may be identifying with the women in the ads you publish? Like the politicians and government agencies you attempt to “expose” and hold accountable, what your paper says and what it does just doesn’t always jibe. Susanna Parkinson Memphis To the Editor: As the coordinator of the First STEPS program, which works with at-risk first-time teen mothers at the Exchange Club Family Center, it was with great interest that I read your article “Out of the Mouths of Babes … .” The article reported the remarks of two teen mothers, living at Bethany Home, who were critical of this program. Considering the very worthwhile service that we provide and the high esteem in which this program is held by other agencies and individuals in this community, it is of great concern to us that so few and uninformed words could possibly do so much harm. It would have been more responsible for the writer, Lauren Mutter, to have explored what our program is about and written an exception to the statements made by these young mothers, or to have deleted this agency’s name from the article. … One final note should be addressed by the publication of this article – the cover. The picture does not depict the population of the young mothers at Bethany Home, which is predominantly African-American. Also, with all of the problems that these young ladies face and the stigma of teen pregnancy, it would have been more responsible to have clothed the figure of the young mother. Ms. Mutter had been contacted and invited to visit our agency and examine all of the programs in which we provide services. It is hoped that she will correct the damage which we perceive her article has produced. Ellen Griffin First STEPS Coordinator Memphis (Editor’s Note: The article attempted to present the views of two teen mothers. The comments about the Exchange Club program were simply the opinions of the girls. As for the cover image, one of the girls in the article was black; one was white. The image was not intended to be a demographic representation of the Bethany Home population.) Always A Struggle To the Editor: Your article “Peace and Justice Center Struggling” (June 18th issue) was misleading. There’s nothing new about the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center struggling. The cause of peace and justice is always a struggle. The Center has never been prosperous, even when it had paid staff members whose “pay” was always so low they were effectively working as volunteers. Right now the Center relies on totally unpaid volunteers who are as dedicated and energetic as anyone associated with the Center in the past. Struggles the Center is currently engaged in include establishing a Peaceful Learning and Living program with Memphis City Schools, a campaign to gather Mid-South congressional support for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, helping relief supplies get to people suffering under U.S. economic embargoes, forging links with human-rights activists in South Africa and Central America, moving national spending priorities away from weapons in order to meet pressing human needs, and improving the economic status of low-income wage earners in the Mid-South. Apart from the article itself, your headline “Peace and Justice Center Struggling” is right on. For the past 16 years the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center has been a beacon of light and hope as an interfaith, interracial organization struggling in nonviolent, community-based action to make our region, our nation, and our world a more peaceful place. Thanks for calling the Center to the attention of your readers, many of whom are among our steadfast supporters. Dr. Gerard Vanderhaar Mid-South Peace and Justice Center Board Member Pride & Prejudice To the Editor: I read the cover story about Memphis Pride and the Parade and Festival with great interest [June 18th issue]. Racial polarization has been, unfortunately, consistent in the history of the Memphis gay and lesbian community. Several attempts at coalition – the Memphis Gay Coalition for Human Rights (1979-1991) was one – sought inclusion of women and African-Americans particularly. There was effort on that ground very early on, but other organizations which were black- or woman-specific tended to pull individuals away to deal with these specific issues. This is natural, especially since there are so few activists to go around. A genuine commitment among all of these activists would entail the involvement in specialized groups as well as a group which deals with the larger issues of human rights in general. It isn’t easy. The only group in 1998 which currently tries to address the larger issues as they affect races, genders and lifestyles equally is Memphis Pride, Inc. The official name includes bisexuals and transgendered persons as well as gays and lesbians. It boils down to one word – equality. Women have sought board positions with Memphis Pride and have done consciousness-raising which has benefited the entire organization. African Americans were in prominent positions in Saturday’s parade. Memphis Pride itself had fringe members of the community among its founders, myself included. One African-American bar owner wants to coordinate his annual picnic with Pride activities. The answer – become involved with Memphis Pride. A primary function of Pride events is to find our numbers. Maybe not come out, but come closer. Several groups which always participate (NOW, P-FLAG) contain mostly non-gay/lesbian members. One can always come first to gawk and come back to march. This perhaps is the most important function of these events, the Pride Parade being the largest. Diversity in an event of such importance is mandatory. Everyone is invited, no one is turned away. Don’t expect an engraved invitation, but do come as you really are. Vincent Astor Co-Chair Emeritus Memphis Pride, Inc. An Artist’s Search for Validity To the Editor: While I agree with much of Cory Dugan’s review of the “Max:98” exhibition [June 11th issue], I take exception to the condescending remarks about issues of validity and chauvinism. The strength of “Max:98” was its creators’ willingness to use an unbiased juror from outside the region, something this art community has needed for a long time, notwithstanding the ongoing obsession with New Yorkers. Mr. Dugan’s comments concerning validity were ironic, if not downright comical. In the last few years I have exhibited the work of almost 80 artists, at my own expense, in response to the insular and inbred art scene in Memphis. Every artist knows the value of a review, good or bad. Despite repeated appeals to your publication, the CA and Number:, not one drop of ink has been spent reviewing any one of these exhibitions. Thousands upon thousands of dollars later, these events have been of no enduring benefit to either myself or to those who participated. Likewise, other individuals have rented alternative spaces for their exhibits and have had the same experience. What Mr. Dugan obviously fails to understand is that, in his role as critic, he confers validity upon those artists and exhibitions that he chooses to review, and expresses chauvinism with regard to those he doesn’t. As an artist, it is appropriate that I concern myself with resources and the means by which they are obtained. How funny (when I’m not crying about it) that while the local art world does much to appear sleek and metropolitan, in reality it is provincial to its core. The tight-knit family formed by the major players in our art community pass resources back and forth among themselves like a well-guarded secret family recipe for success. They speak with one voice and, alas, it would seem their primary motivation is their own self-perpetuation. These players are the source and recipients of their own validity. … I applaud the initiative of the “Max:98” creators; it is a step in the direction of probity. But that’s just my opinion, and I’m from Frayser. David Hall e-mail (Memphis) (Editor’s Note: You can currently view Hall’s latest work at Wild Oats on Union Avenue.) Breaking the Law? To the Editor: I am not sure if you just needed a quarter page to fill in the June 18th issue or what, but I took offense to the City Reporter story, “Firefighters Break Law for Charity.” You have people out there doing a very admirable and charitable thing for MDA (on their own time) and you guys call attention to them breaking the law for soliciting donations in traffic. Why haven’t I seen an article, or for that matter a police van arresting those offenders I see every day breaking the law soliciting donations for the homeless or the Muslims selling fruit and Tri-State Defenders? Mike Taylor e-mail (Memphis) Worth Reading To the Editor: Political editor Jackson Baker’s column about Lt. Governor John Wilder’s remarks to the Dutch Treat Luncheon in the June 18th issue was worth reading several times. Speaker Wilder’s debate and often humorous responses to Memphian Shirley Beck-Vosse, arch-conservative and long-shot candidate in the GOP gubernatorial primary, was worth a separate front-page story. Unfortunately, the Sunday-morning readers of our daily paper did not get a golden opportunity to read Wilder’s interesting and informative comments on state government. No wonder the morning newspaper is losing Sunday circulation. Charles S. Peete Jr. Memphis It Can’t Happen Here To the Editor: Like all his work, Tom Tomorrow’s humorous take on the upcoming Senate debate on amending the Constitution to ban flag burning inspires readers to wake up to what’s going on around us. Amending the Constitution because a handful of people burn flags is no laughing matter to those of us who value what’s left of our democracy. The Constitution should be amended to protect civil liberties, not abolish them, and yet how stable is such a document when we know that Oliver North and his Iran-contra crew had developed a plan to suspend the Constitution and imprison thousands of U.S. citizens in the event their protests against U.S. involvement in Central America reached a critical level? If the amendment passes, it might well become a pivotal moment in U.S. history. World history reminds us that tyrannies have enforced obedience by prohibiting disrespect to their symbols of power, but it can’t happen here, right? Richard DeLisi Memphis Aloysius Home “Impressive” To the Editor: In response to the recent article on Aloysius Home in the June 11th edition, I would like to make some comments. I recently visited both the Care Home and the Transition Home. I found the nursing care staff to be enthusiastic about their work and proud of the accomplishments they have made in being the first “Hospice” home for AIDS patients in the Mid-South. I talked with several of the residents who told me they felt comfortable and secure in their surroundings. They also described the general environment as emotionally supportive. I received a warm greeting from residents, several of whom proudly showed me their rooms, which they decorated as a means of expressing what was meaningful to them. In touring the Transition House, I was impressed with the wide hallways, spacious rooms, and beautifully restored hardwood floor. It had a family environment. In meeting with the executive director, Dr. Jim Shaw, I was most impressed with his candor. He seemed sincerely focused on developing a model program that other communities would want to emulate. As a person who regularly works with HIV patients, I recognize the difficulty in getting services. I sincerely appreciate his diligence in working to overcome the prejudices and many obstacles in starting and operating such a program. Vicki Crowder, R.N. Dyersburg, TN Praise for Jobe To the Editor: It’s time someone stood up and said what a good job Lora Jobe is doing in the difficult position of President of the Memphis Board of Education. Her decisions and thoughts on all kinds of thorny issues are consistently level-headed and inspiring. My son is lucky enough to attend an air-conditioned school but I went to an un-air-conditioned high school and it could be very trying. I am grateful to know Ms. Jobe is working in the best interests of all our children. Corey Mesler e-mail (Memphis) The Memphis Flyer encourages reader response. Send mail to: Letters to the Editor, POB 687, Memphis, TN 38101. Or call Back Talk at 575-9405. Or send us e-mail at memflyer@aol.com. All responses must include name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters should be no longer than 250 words.