The Sterling Stage, 6134 E. Hwy. 290
Using the Word 'Hysterical' a Disservice
RECEIVED Wed., June 6, 2007
Dear Editor,
I was surprised one of your reporters described El Paso attorney Theresa Caballero's views regarding El Paso Police Department Chief Richard Wiles as, "hysterical" [“Smack Talking About the Police Chief Finalists,” Chronic News blog, April 9] Whether you consider Wiles tenure good, bad, or indifferent, to describe the views of a well-respected female attorney as hysterical is a disservice to your nonmisogynist readers.
Do you also consider “hysterical” the concerns of minority communities that have led the Department of Justice to review excessive force concerns in the Austin Police Department?
There are more than a few in El Paso who feel good Austin wants Chief Wiles. In our city, Wiles consistently refuses to speak to Spanish-language print media, endorses criminalizing a huge swath of the American community of Mexican heritage, and has seen seven suspects shot dead under suspicious circumstances. Not given to hysteria, I can assure you that I, and not a few others, feel relieved Wiles will soon be your problem.
I was surprised one of your reporters described El Paso attorney Theresa Caballero's views regarding El Paso Police Department Chief Richard Wiles as, "hysterical" [“Smack Talking About the Police Chief Finalists,” Chronic News blog, April 9] Whether you consider Wiles tenure good, bad, or indifferent, to describe the views of a well-respected female attorney as hysterical is a disservice to your nonmisogynist readers.
Do you also consider “hysterical” the concerns of minority communities that have led the Department of Justice to review excessive force concerns in the Austin Police Department?
There are more than a few in El Paso who feel good Austin wants Chief Wiles. In our city, Wiles consistently refuses to speak to Spanish-language print media, endorses criminalizing a huge swath of the American community of Mexican heritage, and has seen seven suspects shot dead under suspicious circumstances. Not given to hysteria, I can assure you that I, and not a few others, feel relieved Wiles will soon be your problem.
Jaime O. Perez
Editor
The Border Observer
El Paso
Editor
The Border Observer
El Paso
[News staff writer Jordan Smith responds: Jaime Perez is a little touchy – as a woman, I don't consider the word "hysterical" specific to one gender or race. The Caballero blog in question certainly qualifies (at least in part). I haven't come to any conclusions about Richard Wiles and neither has the city of Austin. Perez would apparently prefer we make a judgment without even meeting the candidate. That would seem to be a trifle premature, if not hysterical.]
