Regarding the Caster Semenya story and Sean Major-Campbell's article 'Why, God Why?' (September 27), I agree that there are many issues to be explored so that we can be compassionate and not condemn or make fun of anyone. God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform, and He uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
many realities
There's so much we do not know about many realities that we have to face in life. There are plant and animal species - as well as people - that are hermaphroditic. Mutations or incomplete processes can occur during gestation, some perhaps initiated by the mind, that may affect gender. But on a higher level, who are we to question God? If anything, we can just help people live happy lives and stop beating them up and killing them for being the way they were made, by whatever circumstances.
What we need to get rid of is arrogant ignorance and attempt, through scientific discovery, to solve the mystery of why something is the way it is. No one chooses such physical manifestations. Should we laugh at or condemn conjoined twins; children born with the cleft lip condition, extra fingers or toes, children born with fused lower extremities that give them a seal-like look; some born with a vestigial tail? Once, such people had to live out their life as freaks or circus curiosities, with people paying money to jeer at and ridicule them.
formation ofour character
They might be inhibited from seeking even routine medical attention, or matrimony, etc., for fear of being 'outed'. But they are humans too, with feelings. While we might, in some instances, be responsible for the formation of our character, people have little or no choice in the so-called physical abnormalities that may beset them.
Please, let us be kind to one another. Remember the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Scientists and educators have an important role to play in helping the populace be better informed. We would spare ourselves and others a lot of misery. By the way, it is reported that one out of every 250,000 people are hermaphrodites.
I am, etc.,
MERLE ENGLISH
Merlediani@aol.com
New York