READERS’ LETTERS
Admittedly, the title “Oh Woebot Is Me...” had me thinking “Here we go again—less human contact, more technology!” However, after reading Grace O’Connell’s article [April 2018] on the convenience, flexibility and accessibility of AI therapy, I began to see the benefits. Last year, I lost a male friend to suicide. In the end, some people just need someone to talk to and listen to them. And perhaps a therapist (even a robot) who is always available, non-judgmental and affordable can do just that. —Stephanie Burke
EYE TO EYE “The Cover Up” [March 2018] by Sadiya Dendar took me back to Kandahar, Afghanistan. I’d been backpacking with a male friend. I was always in his company, but one day I went to the town square alone. I hadn’t gone far when a group of women, each in full black burka, surrounded me. What to do? I looked down to gather my thoughts and saw a pair of black patent T-strap pumps. What a relief! We had something in common—I had a pair of those shoes, too. With new-found confidence, I looked up and through the lace opening...into defiant eyes. This was 1971, and I was 20 years old—I recognized the look! Cautiously I nodded in understanding and gradually smiled. The women spoke some words and went on their way. I enjoyed the article and loved the fashion-forward hijab and niqab featured. —Patricia Sinclair
REAL TALK WOW! Another great issue! You have tapped into all of our human emotions and gone beyond. Greg
Hudson, for example, does a great job helping us visualize Yvonne Strahovski’s development of her role in The Handmaid’s
Tale and then relating it to the #MeToo movement. The Sloane Crosley interview is another example. Her non-fiction writing forces her to decide “how much you react to what’s going on in the world.” A pleasure to read! —Kathy Grbac
FAN GIRL It feels weird to be writing a fan letter of sorts because I haven’t done it since, well, people sent actual letters and not emails. But anyway, I found Kate Carraway’s work via her piece “Kind Intentions” [March 2018] in FASHION. It’s an article about how meditation helped her become a nicer person. I read it in the waiting room of my physiotherapist’s office. I loved it so much that I Googled her immediately. (Meanwhile, they had to call my name three times for my appointment!) —Melissa (Letters may be edited.)