Offensive Language

Re “Why Didn’t Anyone Intervene?” Voices, July 8:

Dana Atkin asks the above question regarding the young woman with “multiple gang-like tattoos” admonishing her child in a restaurant by using “obscene language” and then turning her anger and foul language toward Atkin when she intervened.

Perhaps, Dana, unlike yourself, no one among the “business people, families and restaurant workers” was offended! Not everyone is sensitive to obscene language. Perhaps those onlookers used better judgment by not meddling in other people’s affairs. Profanity was invented by wise, civilized individuals (men, perhaps) to allow us the opportunity to vent rage, rather than using violence, to control our emotions.

C’mon Dana, lighten up! In my 46 years of being a father to two delightful daughters there has not been a single incident where either of them has ever been harmed by my foul mouth even when it erupted in their direction.

By the way, in identifying herself as a teacher, while at the same time describing the young woman as having “multiple gang-like tattoos,” Atkin reveals more about herself than she does about her tormentor.

JOE KLASS

Los Angeles

* Thank you, Dana Atkin, for having the guts to stand up to social offenders using offensive language, littering or whatever. If more of us would keep our standards high and in place, we wouldn’t have so many problems with our kids--that’s where it all starts.

GINGER MacLEAN

Tustin