Letter: Mr. Sorrentino cannot control what women wear

Posted 10/26/16

To the editor:

This is in regards to Mr. Sorrentino's letter concerning the clothing choices of women over the age of 20. 

What was she wearing? A question asked of women in so many …

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Letter: Mr. Sorrentino cannot control what women wear

Posted

To the editor:

This is in regards to Mr. Sorrentino's letter concerning the clothing choices of women over the age of 20. 

What was she wearing? A question asked of women in so many inappropriate settings from when a woman is there to speak about her accomplishments, to after she has been assaulted. 

As a woman I have spent a lifetime being told what I am allowed to wear to ensure that everyone is comfortable with me and my body so that I can get an education, work, and enjoy my personal time. In my 20s my body was distracting and potentially dangerous to me if it drew certain attention. Now in my 30s, and as he implied, past my prime, I need to clothe myself in a way that isn't distracting to him. 

I truly don't think Mr. Sorrentino knew how deeply offensive and hurtful his comments were. He not only devalued the bodies of women, but he also believed a need to assert himself to control our clothing choices. I could list for him the reasons that some of us choose to wear yoga pants, but that's besides the point, that would only be done to please someone who is under the mistaken impression that any of us are dressing for him. 

Hopefully this experience enlightens him to why this has so deeply offended so many women, their friends, family members, and partners. 

Bethany Lenk

Barrington

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