COMING TO TERMS

One of your readers asks, “Will there ever be a time when the title of ‘shiksa’ is used without the connotation of ‘bimbo’?” and wonders “what the reaction would be if the title of ‘JAP’ (Jewish American Princess) were used as loosely and as derogatorily as ‘shiksa’ ” (Letters, March 15).

The Morning Star Commission (composed of 30 entertainment industry men and women who currently are examining images of Jewish women in television and film) has research indicating that both of those terms shape our thinking about Jewish and non-Jewish women more than we realize or would wish.

Such thinking, it has been proven, not only leads to problems of self-esteem but promotes gender bias, which in turn encourages misogyny. Our mission is to seek a healthier diversity of imagery so that our thinking is not confined by such terms.

JOAN HYLER, Chair

MARA FEIN, Director

Morning Star Commission

Los Angeles