Etheridge Controversy

The Dec. 9 cover asked, “Is Melissa Etheridge too controversial?” (“Battling Society’s Monsters,” by Randy Lewis). A better question is: If the musician were an African American woman describing the outrage caused by the dragging death of James Byrd Jr., instead of being a white lesbian describing the outrage caused by the torturous murder of Matthew Shepard, would The Times dare to ask if she was “too controversial”?

For Lewis to conclude that Etheridge makes Shepard’s slaying “a modern-day equivalent to the crucifixion of Jesus” is not only an incorrect simplification of the song’s meaning, such a suggestion helps to create an atmosphere that allows those “monsters” Etheridge sings about to hide without fear.

AMY J. ZIMMERMAN

Monrovia

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I have been a fan of Melissa Etheridge since her days playing at the Que Sera in Long Beach. Many nights were spent listening to what, at the time, appeared to be someone on the verge of stardom. Her comment at the end of the article, when she responds to whether or not she would be making a stop at the Que, struck me. “Yikes no!” she says. “It’s fine with me to leave that in the past.”

Well, Melissa, what would have happened to you if we said that to you? We are your fans, we have been with you for many years. Why don’t we just leave you in the past?

It seems to me she has forgotten where she came from and who helped her get there. She has sold out, and I for one think that we have lost one of the strongest voices in our community.

LINDA S. KEOUGH

Canoga Park