Portrayal of Egyptian Women

As an Egyptian-American I am appalled, to say the least, after reading the article about Egyptian wives (“Egyptian Society Shaken by ‘Husband Killers’,” March 22). Your reporter failed to analyze the situation and to explain what truly is taking place. She is portraying Egyptian women as “helpless victims” resolving to murder in order to end their husbands’ abuse.

The writer did not point out, however, that these women are uneducated and do not represent the traditional Egyptian woman. Women in Egypt are involved in politics, medicine and other prominent careers, receiving equal pay to that of the men. They aid their husbands in living expenses and in all other aspects of daily life. Women have the option of divorce if they want to end an unhappy marriage.

Focusing on a few psychopaths of society and generalizing to the entire population is unfair. It is not a novelty for reporters to create stereotypes and to distort images of ethnic minority populations. We are all citizens of this country and have a hand in building it just like everyone else.

Please be more sensitive in the future when writing about ethnic minorities. NANCY I.SALEM

Los Angeles