FORUMS & LETTERS

Disclaimer
Opinions expressed in articles are the authors’ sole responsibility and do not reflect those of Atención San Miguel or the publisher, the Biblioteca Pública.

Editor,

I am saddened as well by the updated worldwide HIV/AIDS situation. However, I am saddened by Jack Driscoll’s letter and comments even more. It was ironic that on the front page of Atención (Aug 15) there was an article with perspectives on the recent sexual diversity weekend in San Miguel. Most opinions shared were of a positive and supportive nature.

Driscoll’s opinions reflect those of an uninformed individual with little or no sensitivity to what is really going on. First of all, AIDS is not a gay disease. Secondly, I think the condom issue that so bothered Driscoll is a positive message: Safe Sex! Use Protection. The message may have been presented in a light manner but it was not offensive.

What is offensive are such attitudes.

It deeply grieves me to see an individual (Jack Driscoll in this case) have such views which to me are more dangerous than any weekend of sexual diversity could ever be.

My advice to Mr. Driscoll is to lighten up and be more supportive of all who are afflicted with HIV/AIDS. Why be so negative and judgmental?

John Porter

Editor,

In my few years as a SMA resident I’ve become aware of Barbara Porter as a kind of local celebrity, but was vague as to her biography: something to do with fashion or theatrical agency? She seemed to be one of those people who are famous for being famous. Now, thanks to LuLu Torbet’s excellent article on the Sexual Diversity Festival, (Atención, Aug 8) and the photo of Barbara smiling mischievously in tux and top hat, I have been enlightened. She’s an adventurous, creative, funny entertainer/educator and out-there free spirit, and I say BRAVO!

A curious letter from Jack Driscoll (Atención, Aug 15) lamented the loss of lives to AIDS, portraying Ms. Porter as a “sexual extremist” who “degraded herself” in a costume made of condoms, expressing his dismay that participants would “expose” the Mexican community to extreme behavior that is not “normal,” positing that “such lifestyles as displayed in the gay festival” are harmful to everyone, and closing with his concern, again, that people pursuing this “dangerous lifestyle” are at risk of infection and death by AIDS.

Whoa, Mr. Driscoll; lighten up! Where in this event celebrating sexual diversity is the advocacy of risky sexual practices? Is dressing up for fun and playing with out-dated conceptions of masculinity, femininity, and appropriate sexual roles and behavior dangerous? Would not the fanciful use of condoms in a light-hearted fashion show suggest that they be used, that they are not only recommended but celebrated? Or is it just that the open acknowledgment of their function, and the unavoidable suggestion of the organ for which they were designed, is intrinsically offensive to you, these being inappropriate subjects for discussion (except grimly) by “normal” people in polite society?

Normal is not what it used to be. 

In recent decades society has largely acknowledged and accepted a range of diverse gender-based behavior which has of course always been present. Repression of same led to miserable marriages with secret action taking place outside of them (witness series of “exposes” among Republican politicians and evangelists) and the commensurate trauma dealt to offspring by the publicized hypocrisy; to aborted joy and creativity; to depression and suicide; and to violence when repressed desires and “abnormal” behaviors surfaced. We’re getting past that, people today can be who they are, and this is good, is it not? Should we, because of the unspeakable tragedy that is AIDS, just go away, abandoning all thoughts of having fun and celebrating our recently-won freedom to express who we are?

And if you fear shocking or embarrassing locals with shenanigans such as the Sexual Diversity Festival, I say you underestimate them; they can handle it. Sanmiguelenses have been exposed to and enlightened by strange foreign influences since the fifties, and I think they’d say they’re the better for it. I don’t know who all participated, as I was involved in a charitable weekend function, but the one person who invited me, who modeled in the fashion show, was a Mexicano. I’ll attend next year, quite assured that neither I nor anyone present will contract AIDS or otherwise be damaged or degraded by the experience.

Keith Wall

Editor,

The Summer Literary Festival with the author, Tom Robbins, and his editor, Alan Rinzler on August 19-22, 2008 in San Miguel was beyond words. If I had to pick a few though, I would say it was fulfilling, inspiring, and magical.

I flew in from Tulum, Mexico in the state of Quintana Roo to take part in the event and I will certainly be back for upcoming events.

Susan Page and her thoughtful, talented group of Literary Society volunteers went way out of their way to make the festival flow seamlessly and be full of surprises for us. Every detail was considered: from the first email communications to the final book signing event.

In their keynote talks and workshops, Tom and Alan revealed truths to us, and the sentences simply flowed from their enlightened souls.

The talks were interlaced with many treats: a delicious welcome reception meal, coffee in the country side, book and movie discussions, and spontaneous serenades by local artists.

It was beyond my expectations. I felt as if I were taking part in a historical event, and at the same time an event that was beyond time and space.

I want to thank all the volunteers for giving their time and energy, and to my fellow attendees for sharing their unique gifts.

Most of all I will remember the kindness and connectedness I felt in the presence of Tom Robbins.

His words go beyond words.

Stephanie Pappas



Editor,

I would like to respond to the statement on the cover page of Atención (Aug 22) regarding the new play Águeda. Indeed, this type of multi-media drama has been thought of before. In fact, I am the author of a multi-media play called Fugue for a Man and a Woman that is performed by two characters, a married couple, who sit on stage and address the audience directly. The dialog is complemented by visual art and music. It was originally produced in Montreal in 1974 and has been performed with Academy Award winner Frances McDormand. The original concept called for two dancers and cello music, but the score for the play was written for synthesizer by Michael Leonhardt and the dance has yet to be choreographed.

If anyone is interested in reading an excerpt from the play, it can be found at www.balancepublishing.org. I will gladly send a copy of the script to anyone who requests it by email at quietcites@gmail.com  

It may be a first for San Miguel, but it is not the first time this type of theatre piece has been given an international presentation.

Anthony Maulucci



Editor,

I find former University of Texas Dean John Barham's August 15 Atención "Forum" article entitled “The Hateful Wall,” as well as your artwork (on the website) depicting the United States of America as a Nazi death camp, to be beneath contempt.

Dean Barham should be a learned man based on his published credentials, so I'm wondering what his self-serving motives really are to write such an outrageous piece of mis-information.

The citizens of the United States of America, both through birth and through the legal immigration process, have a right to protect the sovereignty of their country and to maintain their laws and to protect their boarders from those who want to invade their country illegally for any reason.

To compare an obvious need for the citizens of the United States of America to strengthen their border security from being crossed illegally with the Berlin Wall is patently absurd. Dean Barham should be ashamed to state so, as the learned man he thinks he is.

Dean Barham doesn't seem to want to recognize there is a difference between a nation of citizens wanting to maintain its sovereignty and the integrity of its borders than a "house divided," as Berlin was. In Berlin, they were all citizens of Berlin. They were all citizens of Germany. The wall in Berlin was built and sustained by a foreign power, the Soviet Union, to keep citizens in what became known as East Berlin from reaching the other side.

If Dean Barham wants to really see strong border security in action, try looking at the southern boarder of Mexico. Look at the very strong measures being taken to stop people from Central and South America from entering Mexico illegally to reach their goal of the “Mexican Dream.”

Or, perhaps, take a look at what legal expats in Mexico have to go through each year to continue to be here legally and to prove we meet Mexican minimum standards for residency.

I don’t have a problem with that. I would think US citizens, through birth and legal immigration, should be entitled to no less than the same.

George Sickler

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