Sally Quinn on Feminism

In response to “Feminists Have Killed Feminism” by Sally Quinn (Commentary, Jan. 23):

We find the article by Quinn to be a tasteless and wrongheaded evaluation of the women’s movement. Quinn draws a ridiculous parallel between feminist activism and Soviet communism and attributes their difficulties to alleged moral and ideological decay. Both movements have been altered by profoundly different social, economic and political conditions.

Her description of feminists as zealots hell-bent on undermining the family system is equally misinformed. Many feminists respect marriage, love their families and strive desperately to balance family obligations with the relentless demands of their careers. Furthermore, Quinn ignores the reality that women are in the workplace because their jobs are necessary to their economic survival.

Most repulsive is Quinn’s homophobic exaggerations of lesbianism in the women’s movement. One’s sexual orientation is a private matter and should not be used as a smoke screen to detract attention away from serious inequities.

Feminist organizations today continue the struggle against severe abuses and injustices suffered by women in a male-dominated society. They deserve the admiration and support of all intelligent and compassionate Americans.

SHARON R. SCHIESL

MARTIN J. SCHIESL

Mission Viejo