Do you remember the soccer player who accidentally scored for the other team during the last World Cup? Later I remember reading an article how he was shot down by an overzealous fan. These days I can sympathize with what that soccer player must have felt like after returning to his own country and finding people screaming for your blood.
I've gotten an anonymous threatening letter since my column was printed, and it has kind of unnerved me. It is unnerving because I think the letter is from one of my friends - I recognize the handwriting. I've been pulled aside by angry women who want to know if I want to continue breathing and people have commented on the article from as far as Florida (mental note, never visit Holiday, Florida). I've even changed my autoreply to "I didn't mean it. I'm sorry."
When women stop me in the street and ask "Are you Roy?" I want to hear something positive, not to fear for my life, especially when there's more than one. Then, I have to start searching for escape routes as soon as I see them. I want some kind of social life. Maybe to have a girlfriend, or to marry a Dartmouth alum. I want to live to see my 21st birthday.
I'm glad my columns are being taken seriously, but don't want them to be taken quite this seriously. My column was meant as a joke. Yes, a humorless joke that only a few really close minded males might understand, but a joke.
I've always thought I had fairly enlightened views. I've worked for women's charities, foundations and taken a women's studies course. I'm not a male chauvinist pig. But some of the calmer blitzes I've gotten have made me rethink my attitude. I'm a 90s man, so why am I spouting some 50s propaganda? Could it be those late-night discussions I've had with male friends when we've talked over everything from the newest Playboy Playmate to the breast-size of the girl who lives next door? Could it be the television, or the way I was raised?
I don't know, and certainly, whatever the case, there's no excuse. I'm sorry for the article.
But, whatever the case, I would like to meet with my critics, not to get caught up in some kind of long distance war. I hope this article could have a positive impact. Lets stop yelling and throwing stones and start working together to solve the problem.
