Perspective, Please, on the Male Mind-Set

Karen Finley (“Brave Voices and Bold Acts,” March 17) is absolutely correct about the unfairness, inequities and intrusions of an American male-dominated society. However, her accusations against the “male mind-set” in American culture seem extreme and her reaction overzealous. She appears to have lost the perspective of balance. Not all men are bad guys, and not all the bad guys are necessarily men. Acceptance, even promotion, of this longtime gender-inequity mind-set about double standards and hypocrisy are the culprits that transcend gender.

D.R. TAYLOR, Via Internet

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Does Karen Finley’s inhumane, cruel, coarse, mean and meandering vulgarity, crudeness, rudeness, filth, aimless rebelliousness, verbal abusiveness, lack of charity and unhappiness, along with her clearly demonstrated lack of artistic talent typify the instructors at CalArts? I hope not and hope my children can be spared that kind of “education.” Thank you, NEA, for rejecting the worthless emanations of this woman.

JOHN SAWOSKI, Marina del Rey

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The Karen Finley essay on feminism was a howl. Once you get beyond her audacity, there is a great deal that we can learn from this artist. Kudos for printing her piece.

GORDY GRUNDY, Los Angeles