Dear Leslie,

I realize that domestic violence in this country is often laughed about and taken lightly until it hits home, pun intended. You may not care about domestic violence because the oppressive fist has not been turned towards anyone you care about but as a public figure, you don’t get to put aside your diplomacy and undermine the struggle that women in this country and worldwide struggle daily to overcome.

Statistics and causes are known to you I will assume based on your educational background but the area in which you are ignorant is the very premise on which you made your joke. You have raised your hand to a woman never realizing that you did more than subdue her for a moment, you put her in bondage of constant second guessing and doubt.

You struck down her sense of self worth in an attempt to feel powerful and gain control only to exude the maniacal attributes of a deranged man. I am by no means suggesting that you are mentally disturbed, but weak. It takes a very weak spirit to seek strength in the oppression of another. Thousands of women in this country cringed at your blatant disregard for their well-being. Every abused woman is someone’s daughter, sister, mother, cousin or loved one by some standard; you abused your position by further oppressing and belittling abused women.

I am afraid of what your next joke will be about; child abuse, rape or murder? What hits home to you? Obviously striking a woman is child’s play.

I hope that you reflect on your words. I hope that you seek God and ask Him to reveal his thoughts concerning the struggle of abused women and you redirect your thoughts on the matter. It was disappointing and hurtful that the general consensus was to laugh at hitting or beating a woman who has to seek healing long after the scars or bruises have healed. I do believe to a God that admonishes us to protect the oppressed, this topic is no laughing matter.

Do not make it okay, do not tell our nation that it’s no big deal.

Signed, 

Concerned Citizen