Eugene weekly., December 29, 2016, Page 5, Image 5

The Shedd Institute
www.theshedd.org - 541.434.7000
Karla
Bonoff
Wed Jan 11
our own hidden prejudices with the same
unrelenting discipline and clarity with
which we approach hate-driven racism.
That doesn’t mean shaming people. That
doesn’t mean dismissing people.
It means sternly and compassionately
holding ourselves and others accountable
when we witness or perpetrate racist ac-
tions, and a swift declaration without nu-
ance or exception that the moral virtues of
all racism are not open for debate — that
racism is fundamentally evil and entirely
antithetical to our values and way of life.
Abby Pauls
Eugene
SEX WORK SALVO
Many a “captain save a ho” say prosti-
tution is repugnant and needs to be stopped
[“Rapistitution,” Letters, 12/22]. Believe
me when I say there are a lot worse things
than using your sexuality to make money
— like not having cash to feed loved ones
and spending a whole night or day without
getting your fix.
When in withdrawal, “selling sex” is a
small price to pay for 35 bucks to get well.
I had a prostitute for a roommate, and
she told me “hooking” was the easiest way
to make money if you can attract a john
and keep the damn cops off your back: just
sprawl on a bed, put a condom on a guy
and turn a trick.
Another pro I knew would much rather
hook than any other work, and it helped
support her heroin and uppers habit.
Which brings me to another point: In
Amsterdam, where drugs are decriminal-
ized and prostitutes work legally, receive
police protection and get health exams
regularly, everybody is happier and less
uptight.
Should anyone have to be a prostitute?
It depends on how ambitious and uninhib-
ited you are. If you are attractive sexually
but have something against renting your
body parts to lecherous people, then get a
different job. Both options should be avail-
able in a free society.
Lots of prude fundamentalists who be-
lieve copulation should be reserved for re-
production and is sinful are the ones who
need more than anyone else the expertise
and attention of someone who is a profes-
sional in the “gratifying arts of physical
love”
David Ivan Piccioni
Eugene
UNFAIR CRITICISM
Cindy Kay Biles needs to be correct-
ed. In response to her “Commodity Planet”
letter [12/15], she wrongfully over-dra-
matized her subject to point the finger at
others and denigrate her father in a public
place during the Christmas holiday season.
It’s unacceptable and the literal definition
of criticizing unfairly.
During the holiday season we are sup-
posed to celebrate family and joy, and be
kind. I know Biles is struggling and hurt-
ing inside, but EW should support this
message to remind readers to be respectful
to their elders at all times.
Biles also misleads readers to believe
chemical engineers poison our planet. Read-
ers should know that many chemical engi-
neers are environmental engineers who
work hard to keep our air and water clean.
Biles is either misinformed or just
doesn’t understand much about this profes-
sion. I am a chemical engineer and a good
person who practices good habits each day
of my life trying to minimize my impact to
make the world a better place. I live here
in Eugene too.
Biles did make a good point though that
“the time to go on a better path is now.” So
let’s do something about it!
Brett Kennedy
Eugene
LISTEN TO ELDER BROTHER
Winona LaDuke, Native American en-
vironmental leader and executive director
of Honor the Earth, spoke to many hun-
dreds of us in Eugene in November.
Before the program, attendees might
have noticed a spool of golden thread was
unraveled person-to-person, starting near
Free Jazz Tickets for
Students program
Tierney Sutton Thu, Jan 12
Herb
Alpert
Lani Hall
Fri Jan 27
Give Music
Shedd Institute Gift Certificates anytime!
541.434.7000 | www.theshedd.org
Coming up at The Shedd
1.21 Moombah! Asunder
Down Under!
1.27 Herb Alpert & Lani Hall
2.1 Chico Schwall: The
American String Band
2.9-12 Jazz Kings:
Clarinet Marmalade
2.17 Tony Glausi Sextet
2.22 Bill Mays
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.9
3.19
3.22
3.23
3.24
3.30
Villalobos Brothers
Tommy Casto & The Painkillers
Jake Shimabukuro
Chuck Redd
MTTA: Puttin’ On The Ritz
Dervish
Keola Beamer & Jeff Peterson
Davina & The Vagabonds
Ana Popovic
eugeneweekly.com • December 29, 2016
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