Cars and women

Cars and women

From Kompas

I am writing in reference to the article Astra Internasional: 'Janda tua yang masih tetap saja menarik' (Old widow who retains her youthful beauty) in Kompas (June 11, 1997). I wonder why the writer compared a certain object or personified it with a stereotype of a woman or used an expression which discriminates against women.

I do not intend to show disrespect toward the writer who wishes to express his opinion. But it is deeply regretted that the article read: "Even though a widow... who remarried several times, she remains attractive enough to be contested." Astra Internasional could have used more neutral expressions instead of using an old charming widow for a simile.

In the middle of the article, the writer uses more words depicting a woman's physical beauty such as "pretty, attractive, and sexually stirring". These words are seductive. Unfortunately, the female sex has no direct connotation with the article's theme.

It's time we were more careful in expressing our ideas without harassing the characteristics, position and status of any particular group. After all, aren't women equal to men and aren't they thereby entitled to due respect in any form of writing?

HENNY E. WIRAWAN

Jakarta