SIR - Following Peter Sutcliffe’s death, I share the horror of the memories while sympathising with all his victims.
But I couldn’t understand the point of the T&A article by Joolz Denby about the time of the Ripper, linking it to sexism and misogyny today.
The word misogyny is widely used and was repeatedly said at the news of the Ripper’s death. It was aimed partly at the police in the 1970s and 80s, a different era. I think misogyny has now become the most misused word in the English language.
Misogyny means men’s hatred of women. But when I hear alleged examples of it, they are almost always wrong. Now when men say they find a woman attractive, criticise an individual woman or show a questionable attitude towards prostitution, these are always falsely described as misogyny.
At the same time, women have always been allowed to be negative about men.
During the Ripper enquiry, one woman said on TV: “You can’t trust any man”. These are much better examples of what in my view is a bigger problem in society - misandry, a hatred of men.
Alan Bates, Bowland Avenue, Baildon
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