FEMINISM 101

Regarding “Throwing Nashville a Curve,” by Elysa Gardner (Nov. 2):

Singer Shania Twain was quoted as saying, “I wouldn’t call myself a feminist, because I think there are differences between men and women.” I am always saddened at the limited and erroneous definition people seem to have of “feminism.”

Feminists aren’t trying to emulate or emasculate men; they don’t all hate their mothers or resent their fathers. Just because I, as a feminist, want to be paid the equivalent wages to what a man earns, or be permitted to occupy a job heretofore restricted to men, does not mean that I believe men and women are exactly identical.

Don’t trivialize feminism with sloppy or inaccurate “definitions.”

DIANE SALTZBERG

Los Angeles

It’s so frustrating to hear otherwise intelligent, successful, beautiful (therefore influential) women such as Shania Twain declare themselves not to be feminists because “there are differences between men and women, and I believe in mutual respect.”

Similar sentiments were voiced by Elle Macpherson in a recent interview in the L.A. Times Magazine. Feminists don’t believe men and women are the same or should be treated the same. However, they do believe men and women are equal and should have equal opportunities and treatment. That’s all. Simple. Geez.

KATHERINE BURNS

La Crescenta