By Jerry Rubin Santa Monica
The long and short of it Editor: I always enjoy reading “What’s the Point?” by David Pisarra, but I’d like to offer my point of view regarding his most recent column (“Let’s take 2007 back to a kinder, gentler time,” Jan. 3, page 4), which dealt mainly with his view of proper dress. I agree with Mr. Pisarra that we can make 2007 a more hospitable year by our attitudes. He feels we can do this by returning to the use of civility and proper dress. More civility sounds good, but his view of enforced dress codes for City Council members and his general view on dress demeanors is not shared by this letter writer.
I’m often criticized for wearing shorts almost always, but I would never criticize someone for wearing a suit and tie almost always. Rather than forced dress codes and embracing a position that one must dress up to command attention is, in my opinion, not as liberating, creative or effective as allowing each individual to be himself or herself at all times. If an individual chooses to dress up, enjoys it or feels society’s pressure to do it, I will not say they must change and be less formal. When Mr. Pisarra correctly points out the selfishness of a person in front of us with 20 items in the 10 items and under lane, he forgets that the selfish individual in that line might be dressed up in a suit and tie.
When I met Mr. Pisarra a few years ago at a City Council meeting, I remember our conversation and that he seemed like a very nice person. I really don’t remember whether he was wearing a suit or not.
I wear T-shirts often. They are comfortable and bear messages of peace and other Earth-improving issues. I enjoy dressing the way I want to dress, not in the manner that society says is the way one should dress.
I will be inviting Mr. Pisarra to lunch for a mutually respectful conversation — even if we ultimately agree to disagree.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 6, 2007. Read the original PDF.