Fashion and Wardrobe

Readers Respond to Heidi Schnakenberg

reaction in certain people"s minds. It"s a lot of work to have effective opinion writers on a publication. They trigger emotions and responses. But they also provide heart for publications. As a female opinion writer in the San Francisco Bay Area I was blesssed with an exception to these far too common practices and my editors spent more than their fair share of time defending my words. When my critics broadcast on cable television a videotape of my house and cited its cost, it was all legally acceptable--albeit tacky. But when they threatened to also find out where my kids go to school and show them on their cable show, my newspapers got the attorneys and defended me. When critics of a housing article said I lied to them during an interview, it came down to a he said-she said, and again, my editors stood by me. Time and again their defense of me made me a better opinion writer. It paid off. In 2003 I took first place in the California Newspaper Publishers Association contest for column writing in the 75,000-200,000 circulation category, but more important, readers connected with the opinion page because there was writing that inspired, outraged and, occasionally, even made them happy. I"ve since relocated to the East Coast and have had no luck in getting opinion pieces published in an ongoing manner, being told they"re too strong, too tough. Well, what the heck are opinion pieces supposed to be? Until editors learn that it"s to their benefit to keep strong women"s voices in their opinion section and as an integral part of their newspaper, they will continue to read surveys that say people are no longer reading their product and especially that female consumers are looking elsewhere for their news. For those of us who love journalism, we can only hope the message sinks in before it"s too late. Thank you Heidi for reminding us that writers are also people and that female writers have an important voice that is far too often silenced. Theresa Keegan Kingston, N.Y. 12401 As a woman old enough to be Heidi Schnakenberg"s grandmother, I would like to say that I support her all the way. My mother used to tell me that when people say mean and hurtful things, they are the jerks, not you. I hope Heidi will also take this advice to heart. It has helped me a lot in my life, especially because men don"t like women that are smarter than they are, a canard, but really, really true, believe me. I thought that things had changed for the better since I was young, but based on my interactions with young women in academia, I fear that they haven"t. Sock it to "em, Heidi, don"t ever give up! Berma Kinsey Houston, Texas Heidi I just learned about Women"s eNews from AlterNet and was glad to read your piece on the "hate mail" issue. I am an unknown writer, sending commentaries mainly to folks I know and working my mojo against the Bush Gang while trying to stay consistent with a novel that has been in progress for several years. Also, I"m a member of Military Families Speak Out and hope to do some decent work on behalf of the veterans. I know what you mean about women getting more "hits" for having a mind of one"s own and speaking words that are not solely "nice." Very glad to have found Women"s eNews and I (in my 65-year-old boldness) encourage you to stay strong, believe in yourself and know that there are many of us out here who are honored by your dedication and your courage. We carry on. Kate Walsh Chicago May 25 Ms. Schnackenberg, IтЂ™m very sorry to hear youтЂ™ve gotten so much negative feedback from a certain knuckle-dragging sector of the population. If itтЂ™s any consolation, IтЂ™m a guy and most of my favorite columnists are in fact women. I find women offer an extremely valuable perspective in the public debate that I would otherwise miss. Being a man, clearly I cannot experience what women experience. However, IтЂ™m also not too dumb to learn or to look for information from sources other than myself. The real problem, I fear, is that so many of these folks are of the opinion that not only are they right, but everyone else is so wrong that ANY dissent must not be tolerated. Sadly they see female columnists as тЂ˜easy preyтЂ™ in their warped world view. Best of luck to you and I enjoyed your column. IтЂ™ll make a point of keeping an eye out for more of your work into the future.Regards, Gord Gilmour Hi Heidi, In reading your piece I felt sorrow and indignation that women are attacked this way in addition to other stuff. I am glad your headline asks for help. I hope more men will take the trouble to answer these attackers. I usually just ask them the simple question: What is it about women that you fear? I think most anger and attacks are fear-based and especially so with sexism (and homophobia) though I don"t know why that seems to be so. Why else try to restrain women in so many ways? You are so much more courageous than they are and they have no idea. Thank You Joel Mael Is it too elementary to remember that a criticтЂ™s comments tell you more about him/her than about yourself? The mentions of mentorship and support would seem to be most reasonable and helpful. For Marines and other folks headed for the fray, being able to тЂњtake itтЂќ is required before being allowed to тЂњdish it out.тЂќ And that is most definitely a male-organized process. Ridicule is often the most demoralizing response to hate in any form, and that takes an indomitable sense of humor. So maybe the comedy of today is the arena where the jousting with the hate-mongers can take place. Truth-telling is never safe, but it is what is needed in this time wherein many feel that transition is imminent. Jacqueline Pratt Roseburg, Oregon As a conservative female columnist for a generally liberal publication, I would have to take issue with Heidi SchnakenbergтЂ™s claim (тЂњFemale Pundits Could Use Help With Hate MailтЂќ) that according to conservative writer Katherine Kersten, her hate mail тЂњdoesnтЂ™t seem [like] the same over-the-top, bone-chilling stuff that Rekha receives.тЂќ YouтЂ™ve got to be kidding? The hate mail I receive regularly includes profanity, personal insults, sexism, anti-Semitism, blogs urging readers to harass me, and even on one occasion a death threat. Take a look at the тЂќHatemailтЂќ page at my Web site (www.cinnamonstillwell.com) for examples. In addition, conservative columnist Michelle Malkin has blogged extensively on the vicious hate mail and commentary she inspires among opponents. While this aspect of journalism is hardly pleasant, it comes with the territory these days. So I would advice Ms. Schnakenberg to suck it up and join the club. Instead of тЂњretreating into self-censorship,тЂќ the best response to such attempts at intimidation is to continue telling it like it is. As the saying goes, you canтЂ™t let the bastards grind you down. Sincerely, Cinnamon Stillwell Columnist, SFGate.com (The San Francisco Chronicle online) www.cinnamonstillwell.com Congrats Heidi Schnakenberg for sticking your neck out for women everywhere! No matter what your opinion or your voice, no one should have to endure the level of threats and vile language that has been used against you and the other women in this commentary. I was appalled and angered by the reaction that these readers had to the opinion of others. I have often written a letter to an editor telling them how I agreed or disagreed with an article or editorial, but not once did I attack the writer. I kept it professional, expressing an opposing or supportive view with candor and directness but without attack. I do have to admit that I was not surprised at the gender or ethnicity of the respondents to the writer. Race matters to so many. Gender matters too. Why is it that we cannot evolve past it? Why is it that we only "see" and do not "hear"? Although I am disheartened by the malicious attacks, I am energized at the possibility having and supporting a counter-voice to the issue of female pundits. You have my support! I will be sure that others hear the message as well. Thank you Women"s eNews for bringing this issue to the forefront and sharing this commentary with us. Sincerely, Yolanda Archuletta Santa Fe, New Mexico

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