Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences By PHILLIP MILANO
Enough already with all the ivory-tower dialogue about critical Jewish women, nose-picking white people and purple-suit-wearing black males. What’s your reaction to all the ivory-tower dialogue about critical Jewish women, nose-picking white people and purple-suit-wearing black males?
After eight months of taboo cross-cultural conversation, we thought you’d like to see some reader missives sent to Dare to Ask’s mailbox.
On critical Jewish women (May 10): I do not understand why it was entertaining or newsworthy to write such a column. To group all Jewish women into one stereotype only promotes stereotypical thinking. Are we not, as educated people in 2005, trying to discourage people from doing this?
How does the question you asked about women bosses relate to one’s religion? If you are Catholic and you are a boss, do you lead differently than your Buddhist, Muslim, Episcopal, etc. counterparts?
I never read your column until today, and I never plan to read it again. It is a useless waste of space. Certainly there is more newsworthy information that could be imparted to Times-Union readers than your “rubbish.”
Arlene, Mandarin
On white nose-pickers (Sept. 13): With all the news, both good and bad, happening in the world and in our community, please explain why The Florida Times-Union wastes print space on the “Dare to Ask” column? The feature today crossed the line of good taste and professionalism.
M.M., female, Georgia
On black men in purple suits (Jan. 25), skinheads (Feb. 1) and “exotic” Asian women (Feb. 15): It takes courage to go where you go every week. Diving into touchy subjects on an ocean of political correctness can’t be easy.
Clennon, black, Westside
On the Bible discussing sexual contact between men (March 15): I loved my father. Does that indicate I have homosexual tendencies? Perhaps at one time the practice of grasping someone of the same sex under the leg (Genesis 24:2) had the same meaning as today’s placement of the hand over one’s heart when making a pledge. Some people make a practice of twisting things to conform to their beliefs.
Ken, Interlachen
On interracial relationships (Aug. 16): You continued to perpetuate stereotypes by listing the “possible theories” (about the scarcity of white male/black female pairings). These are old theories … very old. You disappoint me. Without a follow-up story, this negates the good you tried to do.
Brenda-Jean, founder, multiracial group, Orange Park
On the sexual leanings of transgendered people (June 21): You make people think. You have moved our city to a new level of understanding. Thank you.
Frieda, Jacksonville
On “porcelain throne” readers (April 26): When a social worker visited my 80-year-old mother, she was elated to find her sitting on the commode reading the newspaper. When I said, “What’s so wonderful about that?” she replied, “It shows your mother has not lost interest in the world around her.”
Lila, Southside