We have received many inquiries about the letters, and we understand why people are upset. We agree that much of the language in the letters feels harsh, and the content is inescapably painful.

Many people have observed the glaring and gross lack of propriety and civility in the author’s use of words like “mutilate” and “accursed” and “slavery” and “condemned” and “hypocrisy” and “foolish” and “bewitched” and “worthless” and “allegorically” and “offense” and “emasculate” and “drunkenness” and “orgies.”

A number of people have wondered if perhaps the author should issue some kind of apology, or maybe even a retraction? At the very least people feel like he should acknowledge how unmannerly and impertinent it was for him to name names, and belittle some of our most genteel and demure leaders by saying “those who seemed influential (or those who seemed like pillars), what they are makes no difference to me!” We have received many concerned emails about the author’s flagrant lack of basic etiquette, and we don’t disagree that these letters are certainly not well-mannered or in accordance with our standards of courtesy.    

Lots of people have been asking, “Are y’all just going to allow these letters to remain in circulation!?”

…There’s no easy way to tell you this, so I’ll just come right out with it:

[a] Any kind of apology or retraction from the author is HIGHLY UNLIKELY.

[b] We wholeheartedly intend to continue celebrating and commending these letters.

[c] For what it’s worth, we empathize with all who find these letters uncomfortable; and we sincerely concur that these letters are disquieting and indecorous.