Graydon Carter
Editor
Vanity Fair
4 Times Square
New York, NY 10036
Dear Mr. Carter:
We were astonished to read the Dame Edna column in the Feb. 2003 issue of Vanity Fair. We understand that the column's advice is not intended to be taken seriously. We also understand that the question and answer portion that discussed the need to learn Spanish in the United States was supposed to elicit laughter; we simply don't see what's so amusing about an appalling display of bigotry.
To state that there's "nothing in the language worth reading except Don Quixote" reveals an astonishing lack of knowledge of our heritage and our contributions to the world of literature. Granted, your readers are supposed to know that the statement is not true. So Dame Edna gets to spout off such bigotry, and we're not supposed to say anything about it because the character is a clown and the column is satire? We disagree. Humor and satire are not safe hiding places for ignorance and bigotry. Frankly, we're tired of people hiding behind "it was just a joke" after taking broad and unwarranted swipes at our culture and heritage.
For Vanity Fair to publish this alleged bit of humor in the same issue in which you exploit one of the Latino culture's most recognizable talents on your front cover smacks of hypocrisy.
We recognize Dame Edna's right to free speech, and yours. What disappoints us is your failure to recognize the responsibility of good taste. We expect better of you. Please let us know whether the time has come for Latinos to lower our expectations when reading Vanity Fair. If you're going to feel so free to insult our contributions and presence in the name of humor, perhaps you should do so on the front cover. Then we will know exactly what you think of us, and we can save our money for publications that treat us with the respect we deserve.
Sincerely,
| Juan Gonzalez |
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Rafael Olmeda
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| NAHJ President |
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Chair, Issues Committee
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cc: S.I. Newhouse Jr.
Louis Cona
