L e t t e r s Our Bodies, Our Selves, Her Letter, Our Website

For various reasons, the Produce Section recieves copies of many different emails sent to companies, government organizations, and civillians. Here's a letter we received this month: Dear Boston Women's Health Collective, I recently bought your book, Our Bodies, Our Selves, as a way to learn about the stuff I felt awkward about. I didn't feel 100% comfortable with buying the book, but I was proud I did it, and I had also won a gift certificate to the bookstore. That made it easier, I guess. I've flipped through your book when I was curious about health issues I've been faced with (some of which are sadly underrepresented in your book), and I am stuck with this question, "Why did you decide to put actual photographs of actual people in Our Bodies, Our Selves?" I would feel so much more comfortable if you used descriptive vocabulary or perhaps an occasional abstract drawing, but photography! Whew! You're lucky I wasn't spending my own money on your book! You actually have a picture, a real live picture, of a lady pleasuring herself. I hope that 1)the lady knew that you were taking this picture, and 2) you weren't there while she was doing this. I, personally, lead a very busy and fulfilling life, so I do not have time to masturbate. I'm sure those ladies that do have the time are grateful for the eight plus pages you spend talking about it, but we really don't need a photograph. Trust me. In future editions, why not hire a woman who can draw things from memory? This would probably save time, and money on expensive dark room construction. It's an idea I hope you consider for my sake, and the sake of my daughter if I ever decide to have one. You have been quite an extensive resource in regards to contraception. Thanks for that stuff, anyway. Sincerely, Linda McGovern