Women's options in a men's world

The opinion-page piece, "Options in the Face of Abuse," Oct. 21, expresses an attitude of moral cynicism. The options, according to the author, include turning the abuse "to our advantage in a conspiratorial closeness with a powerful man." She laments the fact that this option cannot be pursued simultaneously with all the others.She finds it sad that women cannot "get the goodies and hope to get justice as well." Apparently this means colluding with sexual harassment in order to further one's career, and then turning on the harasser when one has finished using him. The author's world would be offensive to anyone who values justice. Women will get nowhere if they feel being a victim absolves them from the responsibility to be honest and fair. Jennifer Quinn, Riverdale, N.Y.

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