RE: epithets

["Saundra Lund" <sslund@moscow.com>]

Title: Message

Mr. Wilson wrote:

"His use of the word slut was primarily being applied to the various sexual tensions and dichotomies within the Virgin Mary -- on the taxpayers' dime."

 

I disagree:  that vulgar word was specifically applied to local women.  From Mr. Harrell's post:

"But of course the women that want to run around baring their breasts in downtown Moscow won't like it when someone calls them what they are - [offensive & degrading term deleted]."

 

Applying that term to women for no reason other than they don't buy into the ridiculous notion that there's something intrinsically harmful about female breasts is misogynistic.  And, WRONG and degrading and insulting and harmful to our community and . . .

 

Mr. Wilson also wrote:

"Not many of you knew this, but Mr. Harrell is actually a performance artist funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. . . After all, the First Amendment is precious, and so we have to defend Mr. Harrell's upcoming readings at the Prichard Gallery, and we should be outraged that anyone would want to silence this lonely voice in the wilderness."

 

I am, of course, a strong proponent of both the First Amendment and of the funding of the arts, although the later is something I wonder if perhaps is another of those public goods you'd like to opt out of, Mr. Wilson.

 

It goes without saying that if vulgar attacks on the women of this community, or on women in general, are a part of Mr. Harrell's performance art, you won't find me or my family at the Prichard Gallery for his upcoming readings.  Perhaps I'll be missing out on something, but I doubt it.

 

While I support the First Amendment and the arts, I'm perfectly comfortable *not* subjecting myself to the First Amendment rights, artistic or otherwise, of those whom I find offensive.  By my standard.

 

But, you won't find *me* trying to push through a law . . .

 

 

Regards,

Saundra Lund

Moscow, Idaho

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.
Edmund Burke