To the Editor:
Your April 18 front-page photograph of Queen Elizabeth II sitting alone in a choir stall of St. George’s Chapel at the funeral service for her husband, Prince Philip, was indescribably poignant. It was also iconic.
I can think of no other image that has so perfectly captured our experience as a world since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic more than a year ago. That solitary woman portrayed it all: grief, isolation, loneliness, and through it all determination, deep faith and incomparable dignity.
(Rev.) Edward A. Ryan
Garden City, N.Y.
Table Of Contents
My Name Is Karen. Enough With the Insults.
To the Editor:
Re “I’m the Head of Planned Parenthood. We’re Done Making Excuses for Our Founder” (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, April 17):
I have always been a big supporter of Planned Parenthood, but after reading Alexis McGill Johnson’s article about Margaret Sanger, I am really disappointed. Ms. McGill Johnson repeatedly used my name, Karen, as a reference to bad people. Horrible people. She has bought into the grade-school mentality that has perpetrated this insult.
Well, other Karens and I have had it.
Ms. McGill Johnson advocates for reproductive freedom for all. How about freedom from juvenile insults involving your name? I have always loved my name, so there.
Karen Roy
Napa, Calif.
Insight Into Wisdom
To the Editor:
Re “Wisdom Isn’t What You Think It Is” (column, April 16):
David Brooks’s understanding of wisdom resonates with me. After 88 years of life and 48 years of practicing yoga daily, I feel very comfortable with his point of view. I have made lots of mistakes but have had many more successes.
I have always paid attention to one of my teacher’s sayings: “It’s a good day to fail; that’s when you really learn something.”
Edward J. Wardwell
Oberlin, Ohio