A case of ‘casual sexism’
In the 27 June Dear Abby column, about a mother-in-law who complained “about everything” to waiters in restaurants, the Hawaii Tribune Herald chose the title: “MIL’s restaurant hysterics make dining out miserable.”
I am sure the suggestion of hysteria would not have been used if the letter had referred to a man.
This shockingly casual sexism was offensive to me. The idea of hysterical women harkens back to ancient times and involves the mistaken view that there is a type of mental illness exclusive to women, and connected to sexuality and/or demonic possession.
Women (but not men) who spoke up for themselves were sometimes locked away or given surgery to remove part of their brains, tortured or simply killed.
Is this a small thing, the use of a simple word? No. It perpetuates offensive stereotypes that subtly (or not so subtly) diminish women.
HTH owes respect to women, not a perpetuation of outmoded stereotypes.
Jane Hoff
Hilo
Homeless problem worsening
We went out to Cafe Pesto to have dinner with our friends who are visiting from Japan.
We were all distraught at the vast number of humans we had to walk around to avoid tripping over on our way to enjoy a meal.
Unfortunately, this was the discussion at dinner. They have homeless in Japan. However, the government has designated areas for them to live/eat/receive medial treatment, etc.
Here in “paradise,” the problem has been ignored for years, and it is spiraling out of control.
The police department should be capable of enforcing the rights of dutiful taxpayers to have a clean and safe environment in their city. Otherwise, there should be a task force that it is designed to keep our streets free of the homelessness hazards.
What is the plan, dear government body?
Ana Solares
Pepeekeo