LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: FEMINISM GETS A BAD RAP

Dear Editor,

I am writing in reactionary opposition to a recent letter in part denouncing "women's lib" and "women activists" -- "women's lib" being the derogatory term for feminists.

The same people who denounce women activists today would surely have been among those who heaped ridicule and, at times, physical violence against the brave women who marched and made speeches to gain women the right to vote.

These women suffered the same ridicule feminists today suffer, who continue the fight for women's equality. In a world where a woman is beaten every 15 seconds, raped every 6 minutes, intellectually devalued, and rendered poverty wages, there are far too few who raise their voices and pens in protest.

I am also certain few of those who do will be stopped by such narrow mindedness as expressed in the recent letter.

I am also not surprised the letter criticizing feminism was written by a female. In a world where females are so intimately and personally involved with their worst detractors -- dare I utter the name -- males; it is not at all unusual.

KAREN ROBERTS

Cape Girardeau