Should Roseanne’s Benefit Act Have Been Reviewed?

I am writing to express my disappointment over The Times’ critique of Roseanne, who performed at our Feminist Majority Foundation benefit (“A Rose Is a Rose, but Not Roseanne,” Nov. 19).

The show was an important fund-raiser for our National Clinic Defense Project, which works to protect doctors and health-care workers nationwide from anti-abortion violence. Roseanne graciously came out to support us, as did all the comics who so generously donated their time and talent.

The show was a benefit, a one-time performance, not the beginning of a tour for Roseanne and certainly not appropriate for a review. Roseanne came to our event after a 14-hour shoot. That she was concerned enough about anti-abortion violence to appear at our show is a big statement about the clinic-violence crisis we face and the kind of person Roseanne is.

A lot of people found Roseanne shocking, but, then, women around the world live a shocking reality. Humor--when used to raise consciousness about injustice and discrimination--is not always funny.

Our contributors and supporters may express their own opinions about Roseanne’s performance, but because of the nature of our event--a benefit show--The Times should not.

KATHERINE SPILLAR

National Coordinator, Feminist Majority Foundation