Mr. Calek, I am curious; at any time in your college career, have you picked up what’s called a dictionary? These days, with technology as accessible as it is, you do not even need to own a dictionary.

My curiosity arose after reading your article entitled “Don’t support the actions of whores” (September 8, 1998 Iowa State Daily). If you ever want to involve yourself in an intelligent conversation or plan to expand your expertise on the subject of whoredom, I suggest you first learn the actual definition of the word whore. Mr. Webster defines a whore as “a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for a fee.” Nowhere in your article do you inform your readers of the widely- accepted definition, nor do you clarify your personal connotation.

Due to the lack of information regarding your definition, I was left to assume that you believe all women expressing their sexuality by sleeping with men are whores. You and I may not believe that women who “sleep around” are living up to moral standards or are good representatives of the value systems we hold so dear, but I ask you, who sets these moral standards?

As for your “nature” argument advocating that men are animals, I agree. But I’ve got exciting news for you … SO ARE WOMEN! Men and women possess innate sexual tendencies. This instinct we all possess does not, however, justify males or females continuing to promote the degradation of women.

So if animalistic manhood is your only excuse for not taking action on an issue you care enough to write about … well, you’re not off the hook that easily. Just so you know, not all men will have sex with anything that moves. Why? Because not all men believe as you apparently do that their sole purpose in life is to “get the cream cake.”

Take my advice — quit generalizing others.

After all, not all Asians are good at math; not all blondes are dumb; not all men are animalistic; and not all women are whores. Instead, start tying to understand individuals.

I think you’ll find out that the world isn’t as black and white as you believe it to be — there’s a whole lot of grey in between.

Stephanie Herbold-Johnson

Senior

Elementary education