I am writing this letter in response to the column titled "Gender and ethnic stereotypes at work -- part two," dated March 29. In the column, the author has repeatedly attacked the movie Aladdin for being "too good to be real." In her own way, which at best seems to be a combination of acute irrational imagination and a desperate attempt to read between lines, the author does an excellent job of petty fault-finding.

I do remember seeing the movie Aladdin about a couple of years back. What is still vivid in my memory is not any one of the things that the author points out (agreed, I wasn't planning on writing a column), but what I do remember is the good feeling that I had that evening after watching the movie and a desire to buy the Aladdin compact disc.

I have no doubt in my mind that the whole crew involved with the production of this movie had the sole intention of portraying Jasmine (the daughter of Sultan) as an uneducated girl.

Further, through some contorted argument, the author suggests that Jasmine's ignorance as a result of her confinement in the castle reflects the "low status of women."

Finally, it is stated that Aladdin's features are like that of Tom Cruise, and this act of "borrow(ing) American features for heroes" is found objectionable.

Hey, give me a break.

I am no male chauvinist but let me say this: The movie is about innocent love, not a documentary on the status of women's education.

Secondly, let me remind the author that Lord Buddha (as Prince Siddhartha) was also equally ignorant when he was a king and confined to his castle.

Lastly, let me state that adaptation of features for a figure or character to match the features found in a particular geographical area is not uncommon. For example, in Haiti, statues of Christ are black and Satan, white.

So, before we pick up a pen and start writing a column, let us first analyze and see if our opinion has a basis. Journalism possesses enormous power to mold the public opinion, which demands for the highest degree of seriousness. Frivolity and narrow-minded complaining should be kept out of it.