E-mail to Haller

[x-pryor.livejournal.com]

To: [Haller, David]
From: [Pryor, Maddie]
Subject: Mrs. Abbott

Something needs to be done about Hope's mom. She keeps sending Hope these highly misogynistic presents aimed at turning her into The Perfect Housewife. Apparently, this stupid ass bitch thinks that being a mutant is "major deficiency" so now she has to work extra hard in order to attract a proper man and be a submissive housewife. And everyday it seems like Hope is ghosting out because her mom is telling her shit on the phone. Probably that Hope is an utter failure because she has a genetic abnormality and why oh why did this have to happen to her and telling Hope that everything she does reflects on her parents and how deeply embarrassed they are at having a mutant daughter and how their reputation is on her shoulders.

She sent Hope a book on how to dress to be a wife and a book on how to keep a proper home. I so want to burn these books and call it Feminist Performance Protest Art, because I cannot believe that there are books out there promoting housewife-ness as the only avenue for women. If you want to be a housewife, power on sister. But no one should be forced to spend the rest of their life birthing babies as they stand barefoot in the kitchen fixing dinner. We're in fuckin 2012 for fuck's sake.

This woman has gotten on my last nerve. Hope is deeply distressed and won't speak up because she has been taught not to or something so I am.

I have never been so grateful that Lex is working on marksmanship with me tomorrow, because I need to shoot something.

Comments

[x-legion.livejournal.com]

To: [Pryor, Madelyne]
From: [Haller, David]
Subject: re: Mrs. Abbott

This is a tough one.

First, we are aware of Mrs. Abbott's attitudes regarding mutation. This is not something we can change by anything but time, experience, and conversation. (And before you ask, no, the alternative is not acceptable. Holding distasteful and ill-informed views is not enough to justify reprogramming a personality.)

As for her mother's old-fashioned ideas and unwelcome gifts, I'm honestly not sure what can be done about a parent being too involved. The obvious steps, like blocking calls or confiscating mail, seem not only deeply unfair to Hope's mother, but condescending to Hope. The most I can recommend at this point is that you and your peers keep up a dialogue with Hope so Hope can decide for herself what kind of future she's in. As you said, if she wants to be a housewife, that's fine -- but she should know that it's not the only option.

Anyway, thank you for keeping an eye on the situation. I wish I had more concrete suggestions to offer at this point. If Hope is under this degree of stress, you might suggest she visit the professor or me to discuss it. However, as you said, she seems reluctant to speak up on this issue, which does make things difficult. I'll speak to the professor and see if he has any further ideas.


Thanks,

David Haller