To the Editor:
I did not contribute any articles to the 'zine Inner Bitch, yet I enjoyed it thoroughly and fully intend to contribute to the upcoming issue. Furthermore, I observed many other people who enjoyed it and/or respected its message. But does this really matter anyway? The 'zine hardly tried to give the impression of being a crowd-pleaser, particularly of the "mainstream" crowd.
I find the continued devaluation of women expressing very justified anger and the accusations that they do not contribute to constructive discourse symptomatic of the problems of society at large. Our society has a strong history of denying women the right to express their anger. We are continuously accused of being hysterical or irrational. We seem to be expected to express anger in a very "ladylike" way. Instead women internalize their anger and it becomes a self-destructive force in terms of very low self-esteem and self hatred, manifesting itself in such conditions as eating disorders.
I agree that "just" expressing anger is not sufficient to solve the world's problems with gender relations. But I think it is incredibly valuable in enabling women to affirm their self worth and to begin to recover from the abuse they must survive daily - a goal which is worthy in and of itself.
Thinking individuals who read the 'zine and saw the incredible rage and frustration women were expressing would search within themselves for answers as to why and how they could make it better, rather than condemning the women for their feelings.
HEATHER SEARLES '94
