Bring attention back to real women
Simpson trial’s legacy Greenhouse gases Plant-based foods Dems ignored guidance
Concerning “‘Wonder Woman’ reveals how our society could be” (Insight, July 23): The major problem I have with using the female superhero Wonder Woman in a discussion about gender and power in American society is that Princess Diana — from the “island of Amazons” — is a fictional character. Why not focus on real women who are challenging the “normal” white male hierarchy in America, like Sen. Kamala Harris? Or former Xerox CEO Ursula Burns?
Even cultural icons like Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey are excellent representations of female empowerment who are shattering expectations of what is normal in our society. Of course, women in America are going to have to work harder than ever to stop our current misogynistic president from turning back the clock on all the progress we have made in advancing gender equality. We don’t want to slip further away from the ultimate goal of living in a world where each of us — regardless of our race, gender or sexual orientation — can live to our fullest potential.
Hortensia Delarosa, San Francisco
Regarding “Legacy of the ‘trial of the century’ ” (John Diaz, July 23): In his assessment of O.J. Simpson’s trial and acquittal of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman, John Diaz makes several references to the Dream Team of lawyers who defended Simpson. Perhaps the greatest legacy of the Simpson case is that anyone who has enough money — regardless of race — can hire the craftiest and well-connected attorneys and get away with murder.
Had this case been tried today, the outcome would probably have been the same. Simpson might have argued that as a well-to-do individual, he suffered from “affluenza” and thought there could be no consequences for his homicidal behavior.
Julian Grant, Pacifica
Regarding “Veganism’s next goal: animal-free farming” (July 23): If vegans want to persuade more people to consider a plant-based diet free of meat consumption, why aren’t they including the effect animal agriculture has on global warming in their argument?
According to the EcoWatch website, factory farming of animals for human consumption contributes two of the biggest greenhouse gases to our environment: methane and nitrous oxide. Furthermore, these confined animals are given large amounts of antibiotics, which seep into our aquifers and drinking water. Vegans ought to remind meat consumers of these facts in their movement to create more animalfree farming.
Constance Cummings, San Francisco
In covering the future of animal farming, Tara Duggan brings up an intriguing point: There are few, if any, people who would deliberately support animal cruelty. And yet, farm animals suffer by the billions every year to satisfy out appetites for meat, dairy and eggs.
How can the two be reconciled? Startups like Impossible Foods in Redwood City are already hacking this problem. Their solution: Allow people to love their animals and eat them, too, by providing plant-based replacements that mimic the taste and texture of animal meat, just without the animal slaughter. In providing an option that satisfies both the stomach and our conscience, the heated arguments about the role of animals in our food system will soon be made moot, to the joy of cows, chickens, pigs and humans everywhere.
Emily Byrd, San Francisco
Regarding “Democrats struggle to widen appeal” ( July 23): By framing the mainstream Democratic party as “struggling to widen appeal” you are (and have been) ignoring excellent guidance from the likes of Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders (which you rarely publish). Democrats need to work to end corporate welfare, keep fossil fuel in the ground where it belongs and support its alternatives, end racism, support Medicare for all, make public education through university high quality accessible to all, raise the minimum wage, support good working conditions for all and work for international diplomacy, not weapons.
No mystery here — just a huge reluctance on the part of the mainstream Democratic National Committee members to jeopardize their biggest donors. Even if some of these issues are too far left for a portion of the public, the overall theme of caring what happens to normal people will win. Isn’t that how the Democratic Party started? As far as I can see, the “struggle” is to stay on take to the corporations while acting like you care.
Teresa Palmer, San Francisco