Letters: Readers discuss GOP convention, women’s alcohol risks, beautiful KC Ballet
Feel left out
I can’t say I feel comforted when white men, including The Star’s Michael Ryan and Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith, instruct me not to worry about the city hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention. (Oct. 31, 21A, “Yes, KC should make a play for GOP convention”) When this party actively works to strip away the constitutional rights of women, our Black, Indigenous and other loved ones of color and our working-class neighbors, I am not interested in sacrificing our physical safety to host a gathering that advances these antidemocratic efforts.
I always support of showcasing the wonderful qualities of this city, and there are many ways to promote Kansas City on a national stage. (For example, hosting a World Cup match would bring great attention and positive economic benefits to the area.) I am just unwilling to do so when it also helps amplify the hateful messages that have become mainstream in the modern Republican Party.
It’s easy for many women and those in minorities to see this party’s policies working against our rights and interests every day. Let’s not invite this party and its extremist, regressive ideas to Kansas City to put our direct physical safety in question, too. It isn’t “cancellation” to ask our city not to be a part of this.
- Abbey Reinhardt, Kansas City, Kansas
Drink dangers
As a physician, I was disappointed in “Beyond ‘Girly Drinks’: How women’s freedom can be measured by the alcohol they drink,” (Oct. 31, 1C) about The Star’s new FYI Book Club selection, “Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol.” This article completely ignores the skyrocketing rates of problem drinking reported in women even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Studies show rates of problem drinking for women (more than one drink per day or more than three drinks on a single occasion) increased at least 20% just since the beginning of the pandemic.
The reality is women suffer significant health consequences — heart disease, liver disease and cancers — at lower levels of alcohol consumption than men. Cirrhosis rates in women are up 50% in the last decade. Women may also be more prone to developing anxiety and depression as a result of routine alcohol use.
Asserting that women should look for their freedom reflected at the bottom of a glass is both insulting and irresponsible. As for me, I will continue to look for my freedoms reflected in equality of pay and in my rights to vote, to contribute equally to society and to control decisions concerning my own body. We have real work to do in those arenas.
- Haley Miranda, Olathe
Right to know
Is the Kansas City Police Department above the law? Does the police department not have the same legal obligation all other governmental organizations have to respond to legal requests for information?
I have sent two Sunshine Law requests for information to the KCPD, one asking for statistics on calls for sexual assaults and domestic violence from 2020 to June 2021. I still have not heard back, even though it has been more than two months and the law requires the organization to respond in three days.
Agencies addressing violence against women need data to continue program planning and implementation. Victims of sexual assault and domestic violence deserve better from the Kansas City Police Department.
- Alice Kitchen, Women’s Equality Coalition, Kansas City
Ballet greatness
Recently, we attended the Kansas City Ballet presentation of “Celts.” We were amazed at the dancers’ level of sheer energy, discipline and beauty. We have seen great ballet companies such as the New York City Ballet, the Atlanta Ballet and others, but Kansas City should be proud of the level of competence that its own ballet now shows. It has attained a high level of performance that is a joy to watch, and comparable to other great American ballet companies.
- Geoffrey E. Allen, Lee’s Summit
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss GOP convention, women’s alcohol risks, beautiful KC Ballet."