LETTER: Caustic Ridicule

To the Editor: Yaqub stated that "the blatant sexism of the past . . . still exists in . . . some backwoods counties of West Virginia." I find this stereotyping completely uncalled for. Many states in the Appalachian region have been fighting generalizations like Yaqub's for years. Throughout my years in West Virginia, the state has been striving to overcome this image and, in my view, it has come a long way. In her article, Yaqub cites Texas and Virginia common law that have ludicrous sanctions directed against women. There were not, however, any examples of the law that rules the "backwood counties of West Virginia." Why are Texas and Virginia exempt from caustic ridicule while West Virginia is singled out in this completely unsubstantiated manner? Finally, Yaqub criticizes at great length the various generalizations made concerning women -- and yet she has little trouble turning and making one herself about a state that she knows little about beyond the outdated stereotypes. For the majority of Penn students, defending West Virginia may seem a little less than important, but for me . . . it hits home. KIRSTEN PETERS College '92