The Messages Women Send

I could have cheered while reading Pamela A. Rucker’s “As Women, We’re Responsible for the Messages We Send” (Platform, Feb. 18). She had the courage to put her words into print, while I had hesitated fearing condemnation by female friends and fellow or non-fellow colleagues.

I want to tell Anita Hill that I believed her. I never had sympathy for “blue dot,” because I couldn’t see her eyes. William Kennedy Smith seemed like the victim to me. Now, there’s another victim--Mike Tyson. Miss “18-year-old beauty contestant” must have known exactly what she was doing. Mike T. gave it to her straight and she went right for it. It’s not the first time a young woman fell all over herself because someone famous wanted her body. Unfortunately, the scenario is not a new one: He asked for what he wanted. She showed up. After it was over she yelled “rape!” There is talk of Tyson getting 60 years. She’ll probably appear in Las Vegas and get $60,000.

Rucker’s right about our taking responsibility for our messages. But the press and public should stop pandering to opportunists. Whatever happened to “As ye sow, so shall ye reap”?

BARBARA DeKOVNER-MAYER

Encino