PROJECTS :: LETTERS TO THOSE IN CHARGE :: LETTERS FROM AND IN RESPONSE TO TORI AMOS
Fall 2002
Dear Ms. Bauer,
I was given a copy of your article which I read with great interest.
I am in complete agreement with what you say & compliment you on your obvious insight & intellect.
As a victim myself and speaking as a woman, I wish there were more like you.
What is the root of my unabashed feminism and passionate belief in female empowerment? You must read When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone. This is the most interesting book I have read in my life, and it has played a major part in shaping my opinions. It tells how the very first religions were Goddess-worshipping, how in early societies women were supreme. They were the heads of households, makers of law, warriors, rulers...whatever men are now in patriarchal society, women were in those matriarchal societies. The book also describes the gradual destruction of the Goddess religions by societies that worshipped a male god, and finally deconstructs the myth of Adam and Eve to expose it for what it is: propaganda.
If you would like to discuss this or other topics, please feel free to email me directly.
Cheers
Tori Amos
Co Founder, Rape & Incest National Network (RAINN)
Mother & Pianist
Dear Tori-
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply regarding your email. I'm glad you enjoyed reading my opinion in Student Life. I usually write opinion articles when I feel like something needs to be addressed that hasn't, or which may have been addressed insufficiently, and that was the case with the issue of rape on campus. We have purple ribbons, pink ribbons, all kinds of ribbons for all kinds of causes, but the fundamental problem, at least with rape (if there is indeed a problem with that at WU), lies with the ubiquity of alcohol here on campus. This school is known for its liberal atmosphere, and that's fine—until it comes to things like having "substance free housing" as an alternative to—what?—living in dorms where alcohol and other substances are freely distributed? So yes, I see that as a problem.
I consider myself to be independent politically, although on this campus it seems like even thinking independents are forced to throw in with the Republicans and conservatives on campus to find footing. Sometimes I feel like a conservative, even though I know that's just in comparison to some of the extremely liberal people here on campus. (One must, of course, make the distinction between being "liberal" and being "open-minded"—I definitely try to be the latter.)
Just about a week ago we had a visit here from Phyllis Schlafly, who campus liberals billed as the "Killer of the Equal Rights Amendment." While she may be incredibly biased and have a definite conservative view, I was appalled at the treatment she received on campus. Students entered her talk already decided as to how they would view her, and reactionarily labelled her as an "old bag" who "doesn't know shit," as girls sitting in the row behind me bluntly commented before she began speaking! A few days later, I overheard some other girls who had not even attended her talk looking at a newspaper article about it, saying, "People like that shouldn't even be allowed to come here!"
What students like that don't realize is that without an opposing viewpoint, there is nothing for them to comment upon and draw together to rally against—a balanced presentation of viewpoints is necessary, if only because we must respect free speech! Although her arguments were certainly very generalized, and she used many blanket statements condemning a small segment of "radical feminists" (a condemnation which really doesn't apply to many students these days), students verbally attacked her in the name of "liberal feminism." Presumably, as a feminist yourself, you can see how such displays don't truly help the feminist cause but, rather, cause more negative labels (like "unthinking," "knee-jerk," and "reactionary," heh) to be applied to women who even so much as lean toward that side of things. (I must stress that, as an independent, I try to evaluate the two sides of things on campus in an accordingly unbiased manner—but it truly was disappointing, to me, to see students who proclaim themselves as liberal be so close-minded!)
Well, enough of my ranting about that. :) I was actually going to write an opinion article about it, but I had to write a news article this week instead, and so the event's relevance has passed. Anyway, I find it interesting that you mention When God Was a Woman—a friend of mine who's currently a h.s. senior, but very interested in examining religion from a feminist perspective, also recommended that book to me a while back, and it's been brought up a couple of times in my Intro. to Women's Studies course. [......] However, I do definitely find truth behind the idea that yes, the Bible was translated, so things may have necessarily changed due to the political climate, etc. when the translations were undertaken, possibly creating a more "biased Bible," so to speak.
Well, it was good writing to you, and I hope you find my take on these subjects interesting—please write back if you're interested in further discussion!
Thank you,
M.J. Bauer
Student Life
Margaret - Hi from Tori. If it is all right with you, I will address you simply as "M," too many difficult experiences with women named Margaret.
I was glad to hear back from you, no apologies necessary about delays. As a student, I know the drill all to well.
I am disturbed however, at the term "agnostic." To me that means a doubt, and by now you should have formed an allegiance with your beliefs. Jesus exists, but you do not have to follow. I often have an ice cream sundae with Lucifer who appears every so often on my Buzi but that does not mean I have to be a witch.
Tonight is the night the new tour stars, I am in Tampa and sound check awaits. I will leave you with some words I wrote in 96, maybe they will give you some clarification?
Many have asked what do I mean, I say its a metaphor & what you draw from it is what I meant. But feel free to ask away.
Until next time ... Tori
Muhammed my friend
it's time to tell the world
we both know it was a girl back in Bethlehem
and on that fateful day
when she was crucified
she wore Shiseido Red and we drank tea
by her side
sweet sweet
used to be so sweet to me
Muhammed my friend
I'm getting very scared
teach me how to love my brothers
who don't know the law
and what about the deal on that flying
trapeze got a peanut butter hand
but honey do drop in at the
Dew Drop Inn
sweet sweet
between the bots and the bees
and Moses I know
I know you've seen fire
but you've never seen fire
until you've seen Pele blow
and I've never seen light
but I sure have seen gold
and Gladys save a place for me
on your grapevine
till I get my own TV show
ashre ashre ashre ashre
and if I lose my Cracker Jacks at the
tidal wave I got a place
in the Pope's rubber robe
Muhammed my friend
it's time to tell the world
we both know it was a girl
back in Bethlehem