meJoe.com

I got my first hate letter, thanks to my story, A Member of the Family.

This was a definite poster. Thanks to my article, A Member of the Family. The next issue of Sombrilla will also print it, but I couldn’t wait!

I was appalled to read Joseph McBride’s perspective on killing the family pig (Spring 2004).

I had family that lived in the country and that lived from the land. So, yes, I understand the harsh realities of life.

But, Mr. McBride starts off by saying that he wasn’t sure about killing, it had only happened once before, etc., etc. And then he tells us that he HAD to do it? And if his wife’s uncles made him jump from a bridge, would
he do that too?

You are right, Mr. McBride, it is their customs, their way of life. But, it is not yours (at least that is what you stated). Instead of feeling pride, you should be ashamed. Ashamed that you did not stay true to your
feelings, your way of life, and felt the need just to please others.

If her relatives should come to your home in the United States to visit, will you demand that they follow your customs? Your traditions?

Will they be made to dress like us? Eat only our foods? No, I would guess not. Hopefully you and yours would accept them for who they are. But obviously you didn’t think they would accept you.

No, I think that you were not doing it to survive, you did it to fit in and to please. As for showing no emotions or feeling anything, that is sad. But, most killers don’t.

I presume the picture of the pig is the victim, with the young one looking on. Nice, really, nice.

This issue is for the trash.

-Critical in San Antonio

I didn’t have the heart to say until now that the pig I killed was actually the “young one looking on”.