I disagree with your portrayal of poet Roberty Bly in your June article, "Les Etoiles du Nord." Rather than being the "founder of dubious PC backlash" as the authors claim, Robert Bly is a passionate and dedicated writer and teacher who has inspired and challenged thousands over several decades with his ground-breaking, cross-cultural translations of such visionary poets as Pablo Neruda, Cesar Vallejo, and Kabir, and his eclectic, poetic meditations upon gender, society, the earth, and the psyche.
In addition, Bly’s interest in fairy tales and involvement with the Expressive Men’s Movement is far from a "Claim to Shame." I was disappointed to see The Rake rotely repeating mass media cliches which contempuously dismiss this movement and its possible validity. In a society full of violence, superficiality, and confusion about masculine energy and roles, Bly should be honored rather than disparaged for his efforts to encourage men to look deeply into ancient and modern stories as they attempt to remember, create, and access nourishing and powerful images of manhood that fit the new millenium.
Pierre McGillis
Minneapolis
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