To the editor: Ohio Sen. JD Vance’s speech, the Republican vice presidential candidate, and his counterargument circulating everywhere, are bizarre. The answer shouldn’t be “but I tried to have a baby” or “I chose not to have a baby.” It should be: “My value is independent of reproduction.” (“Can Kamala Harris and an army of ‘childless cat ladies’ overcome Republican sexism?” Opinion, July 28).
But that's not what I'm hearing.
Everything that is said refers to women, not men. It is as if women are islands unto themselves when it comes to having or not having children, but it is not a solo sport. In every case, there is a man involved.
There are many reasons why a woman does not have children and often it is not due to the woman's infertility, but rather to the man's inability to reproduce or simply his choice.
Don't defend your decision to have or not have children. Defend your worth as a human being. Using children to subjugate women is a practice that has existed since the beginning of time.
And I'm willing to bet that more than half of all abortions are performed at the suggestion of a man. So, if there is a punishment awaiting those who abort unwanted pregnancies, then both men and women should be burned at the stake, not just women.
Lisa Harmon, Yakima, Wash.
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To the editor: I agree with columnist Robin Abcarian that some of the things being said about Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, are just plain stupid.
I would advise Vance to say “it was my mistake” in a hurry about his “cat lady” comments. But if Abcarian thinks playing the “sexism and racism” card is going to defeat former President Trump in November, she is sorely mistaken.
I get the feeling that the American public at large is tired of all this name-calling from both parties. What the “common voter” wants is to tell both parties this: It’s the economy, stupid.
Mark Walker, Yorba Linda
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To the editor: To Vance and everyone else who thinks childless women are “miserable” and unworthy of an equal vote, I say this: My capacity for compassion is not limited by my genetic “interest” in the future of our country.
My imagination and empathy allow me to see the value in the lives of others, whether they are white, Christian, heterosexual, or American-born, or whether they fit into a gender binary or not.
I believe in the right of others to contribute to our society as they see fit, even if not a drop of the same blood runs through our veins.
And when November comes, I will cast my vote in the hopes of ensuring that our country is not governed by people whose hearts and minds are closed to the worth of anyone different from themselves.
Susana Brower, Riverside
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To the editor: Hey, Senator Vance, it's me, the childless cat lady. You're completely wrong about one thing: I'm not miserable.
In fact, I'm having a great time writing a check to Kamala Harris for President.
Melanie Hinson, San Pedro
