BREAST BATTLE DONE; NOW FOR REAL ISSUES
I want to thank pioneering Gwen Jacob of Guelph for her battle for freedom
and equal rights for women. What an accomplishment. Suddenly, I have the freedom
to walk bare-breasted through the streets of London. I didn't even realize I wanted
to.
I was most impressed with the ability of Jacob, and the media, to bring this
obviously important women's issue to the forefront. Jacob is in tune with Ontario's
women. We are sick and tired of talking about violence against women, spousal abuse,
employment equity, the right to make decisions about our bodies . . .
Now that the priority issue of toplessness is out of the way, I hope we can
focus on these other problems facing women. So all of you, put down the binoculars,
stop hanging around Dundas and Richmond streets in London, and let's get back to
work.
MAUREEN TUCKER
London
ARE WOMEN 'HIP' OR 'HICK?'
Morris Dalla Costa is right when he says the fundamental issue regarding female
toplessness is one of equality and choice, Ludicrous arguments confuse the issue
(June 28).
Ontario women now have an equal choice to make a public statement regarding
how "hip" or "hick" they are.
If they choose to be perceived as someone who has at least been to Paris,
Rome, and the Mediterranean, they could discreetly sunbathe topless on a designated
beach, and then cover up when they leave the beach. That means at beachside bars
as well.
If they choose to be perceived as someone who has only been as far as Guelph,
they can hang out topless in front of Burger King. I would prefer to see the latter
behavior discouraged.
M. J. SCOLLARD
London
MORRIS DESERVES THANKS FOR BREAST COLUMN
Morris Dalla Costa deserves a great big thank you for his column, Ludicrous
arguments confuse the issue (June 28). He could not have written it more plainly
or simply. I was appalled and angered by comments in the story, Ticklish bare breasts
issue off to prime minister (June 27), but Dalla Costa said everything and more.
I am sick and tired of people regarding women and their breasts as sexual
objects. The only way we are going to stop this way of thinking is by teaching children
our bodies are beautiful, no matter what size, shape or color.
Let's not misunderstand that our hopes as women are to desexualize the breast
in order to have the same rights men hold in our society.
VICKI L. CARROTHERS
Bosanquet
WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS VALUABLE TO COMMUNITY
According to Mark Hill's observation, Weeklies can't die fast enough (June
26), I must be nuts because I am one of the many subscribers of our local weekly
newspaper.
I could not do without this weekly because it keeps me informed about what's
going on in our community in the field of education, health care and the arts. Besides
that, it gives me an appreciation of what hundreds of volunteers are doing in coaching
sports, organizing celebrations, or simply caring for others by supporting the handicapped
and terminally ill.
The weekly paper gives me a feeling of community, something hard to find in
big-city dailies.
My husband and I, as former owners of a family business, know that for real
value of your advertising dollar, you can't beat your hometown weekly.
Weeklies, as well as daily newspapers, have a place in keeping those of us
who are not on the Internet informed. But most dailies, including The London Free
Press, could do well with less exposure of the bare-breast issue and more coverage
of the plight of those who are hungry and naked as a result of injustice and/or
a lack of unbiased reporting.
JACOBA BOS
Strathroy