Illustrations by Giacomo Gambineri 5The Thread
I applaud The New York Times Magazine
for publishing a thorough, fair and com-
plex profi le of Rashida Tlaib. Far too much
time and attention in our national conver-
sation is given to those who want both to
reduce her meaningful and eff ective pres-
ence in Congress to a pro-Palestinian voice
and to reduce questions about Palestinian
rights to spurious shouting about antisem-
itism. Increasing numbers of Americans
understand that unambiguous demands
for Palestinian rights are simply the same
demands for liberal democracy and
racial justice for which the Democratic
Party claims to stand in the United States.
Representative Tlaib’s uncompromising
devotion to domestic economic and racial
justice and to a principled foreign policy is
welcome and represents the future of the
Democratic Party.
Kenan Jaff e, Glendale, N.Y.
I’m still amazed when The Times covers
Palestinian views thoroughly, as this arti-
cle does. Thank you. Representative Tlaib
has an important voice in Congress and
she uses it wisely. I appreciate the full his-
tory Ali presents here. The United States
is slowly coming to the realization that we
have been grossly unfair to Palestinians.
Pauline Coff man, Oak Park, Ill.
I’m sure the congresswoman represents
what she believes are the needs of her
constituents. And she is entitled also to
speak out about her closely held person-
al views. But she may want to consider
sacrifi cing so that the Democratic Party
the email newsletter (I get it, you can
monetize it and you absolutely deserve
to do so), but I’ll still miss you dearly in
these pages.
Dan C., Los AngelesDorie, you write excellent, clear recipes
and beautiful, evocative essays for this
column. Even if we don’t cook whatev-
er is the focus of the piece, we are led
through a fi nely constructed story that
always takes us, just for a bit, to another
place, one where the beautiful is possible
because we can make it so. Thank you!
Cindy Swope, Churchville, Va.RE: THE TURNING TIDE
Alex W. Palmer reported on the trial of two
humanitarian aid workers in Greece.As I read this in the warmth of my home,
with a belly full of dinner, surrounded by
peace and quiet, it serves as a reminder to
be grateful for what I have, and to provide
for those in need. I only hope this article
does not antagonize the Greek authorities
overseeing the pending criminal cases.
MBEE, BostonGreat article. It opened my eyes. I enjoyed
the balanced approach it showed to the
challenges of the immigration problem.
Armando, Somerset, Mass.CORRECTION:
An article on Feb. 27 about the Epstein-
Barr virus and multiple sclerosis described
imprecisely how the virus spreads. It repli-
cates itself; it does not only produce proteins
which its host sheds.Send your thoughts to [email protected].‘Dorie was the
friend I would
call to help
me make a
birthday cake
for a friend
because I
was too broke
to buy one.’Readers respond to the 3.6.22 issue.
RE: RASHIDA TLAIB
Rozina Ali profi led the second-term congress-
woman from Detroit.
On the Cover:
Photograph by
Alex Majolican speak more persuasively. We are a
nation of moderates and centrists for the
most part. I hope she does not let her own
agenda fracture the Democratic Party
when it must be more united to succeed.
R. Anderson, South CarolinaRozina Ali’s article on Rashida Tlaib was
calm, detailed, informed and nuanced. I
believe in the right of Israel to exist as
a safe and thriving sovereign nation. I
also believe in exactly the same rights
for the Palestinians. It certainly will not
be decided through the familiar and cla-
mant hysteria that characterize much of
the exchange. Meanwhile, my sincere
admiration goes to Rashida Tlaib. She is
that rare kind of politician who acts on the
courage of her human and moral convic-
tions, unlike so many in her profession.
Jonathan E. Hill, Northfi eld, Minn.R E : E AT
Dorie Greenspan wrote her last Eat column
on the joy of making mistakes in the kitchen.I absolutely did not make a loud, embar-
rassing gasp of disbelief when I read that
this was Dorie’s fi nal column! I have an
entire shelf dedicated to her books. I
feel like we’ve become friends over the
years, especially through the pandem-
ic. Dorie was the friend I would call to
help me make a birthday cake for a friend
because I was too broke to buy one. She
was the friend who helped me pretend
that we were dining in Paris, even after
coronavirus ravaged my bank account
and put that dream to rest. And now,
a friend who moves away from us and
quietly breaks our heart. Thank you for
letting us live a little la vie en rose through
your charming writing! I signed up for