50 shades of green for abuse victims

Editor's note: Here's a sneak peek at Kerri's Main Street column, which will be published in tomorrow's print edition of The Press. We couldn't agree more with her suggestion. — Mike Patrick

There’s been much debate over the book series and just-released major motion picture, 50 Shades of Grey, among women in particular. I’ve not read the books and have no intention of watching the movie because there are simply more compelling books and movies on my list of things to read and see when I find precious time to do either.

A conversation over the weekend with one of my three adult daughters, mother of our 18-year-old grandson, brought home all that’s wrong with the 50 Shades franchise. Said Melani, 43, “I thought I might be the only woman in the country who hasn't read Fifty Shades of Grey and has no interest in seeing the movie. Call me crazy but stalking, manipulation, bondage and psychological abuse is not love. I certainly don't want my son to think any of those themes are 'relationship goals.' I've been happily married for almost two decades without any of those control tactics from my husband.”

In America we all have choices on how we spend our book-buying and movie-going dollars and for that I’m grateful. I’m also grateful for those in our communities who work with abused and battered women and their families. My suggestion is to make a donation to one of those agencies in the amount you would have spent buying the book or seeing the movie. North Idaho Violence Protection Center, 664-9303 or the Victim Services Unit of the Post Falls Police Department, 773-1080.