LETTERS: NO HUMOR IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT

To the editor:

Having just read Kathleen Parker's column, "PC and Beetle Bailey," I feel compelled to respond.

First, Parker misses the point entirely when she attempts to frame the issue of sexual harassment as "feminists who lack a sense of humor." Those who have experienced sexual harassment, sexual abuse or sexual assault do not see the humor in this behavior at all, and many of them do not consider themselves to be feminists.

Second, sexual harassment isn't about "one's ability to laugh at oneself." It is an issue of power and control. It is about the perpetrator's attempt to intimidate, coerce and degrade one's victim. It is about breaking down a person's self-esteem and self-respect as a means of controlling that person's psyche so that one can then inappropriately act out one's aggression sexually.

Third, making fun of or gaining comic relief by belittling someone because of his or her gender, race or economic status is not an attempt at humor, but rather outright harassment and discrimination.

Last, as a professional social worker, I have spent many years working with women who have been victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual abuse. These women have had a myriad of responses to the horrific experiences, but humor isn't one of them. If that makes them, and me, "feminists" who need to take ourselves less seriously, then I will gladly continue to be negatively labeled as such. Frankly, I find a lot of things to be funny, but sexual intimidation in any form isn't one of them.

TAMMY GWALTNEY

Cape Girardeau