Redefining what it is to be masculine

Re “Wimps, wussies and W.,” Opinion, May 3

Mark Dery misses the point by linking homophobia to misguided heterosexual models of masculinity. Ann Coulter and Don Imus can get away with their virulent anti-gay vocabulary and ideology because of an institutionalized culture of heterosexual supremacy in American society.

In the 20th century, white supremacy was overthrown by people of color and their white allies; male supremacy was toppled by women and their male allies.

In the 21st century, heterosexual supremacy is still enthroned in our institutions. Attempts to amend the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage and moves to prevent gay people from adopting children are the Jim Crow laws’ contemporary equivalent.

Dery also jokes about the word “faggot,” which once meant the kindling used to ignite the fires by which gay people and other undesirables were burned alive.

Just as with indefensible ideas of white and male superiority, it is time for heterosexual supremacy to be dismantled.

DONALD KILHEFNER

Los Angeles

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Dery hits the nail on the head. As an elementary schoolteacher, I believe one of the biggest problems our society faces is how we bring up our boys.

Being told “Don’t cry” and “Take it like a man” have caused much harm to boys who grow up to be men who have difficulty expressing their feelings. I believe this correlates to the abundant violence we have.

Why is it that men outnumber women in committing many crimes? Would we have the Catholic Church scandal if it allowed women to be priests?

I realize men have a difficult time giving up power, but at what cost? The power we exhibit is sanctioned by many religions and societies, but just look at what the world has come to.

ART FIGUEROA

North Hollywood

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Although I am sympathetic to Dery’s overall argument, I take issue with his usage of the term “prime-time water-boarding” as follows: “The media haven’t given Coulter a prime-time water-boarding” for referring to John Edwards as a “faggot.” Although Dery may well be right that Coulter deserved more public censure, he should use words more responsibly himself.

Dery rightly dismisses Coulter’s cavalier explanation of her sexual slur. Many people know what Coulter meant when she labeled Edwards a “faggot.”

Many people also know what “water-boarding” is: a euphemism applied to a form of torture that is widely suspected to have been used against alleged terrorists by the U.S.

As such, it is not a term to be employed sardonically. There’s nothing funny about homophobia or torture.

JOHN RANDALL DAVIS

Carlsbad, Calif.