The Rhino Times did not post letters to the editor over the weekend. I am just seeing this now, on Sept. 2, and am posting it. I can’t find “Namaste Man” so I am assuming the comments referred to are on some other platform. When I determine a comment to be racist, I do not run it, though admittedly it is sometimes a difficult judgement call. Scott Yost.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am submitting this statement to both the Rhino Times and the Federal Communications Commission to formally document my concerns regarding the handling of public commentary on my published op-ed, “Candidate Says Real Leadership Doesn’t Hide Behind Yard Signs” (August 30, 2025).
Following the publication, an individual—referred to online as “Namaste Man”—posted inflammatory and dismissive remarks about my campaign, including false claims that I have “nothing” on my account and that my name is “repetitive nothing.” These comments not only misrepresent my platform and programs but also reflect a pattern of coded, racially targeted language that others in the community have found offensive and unacceptable.
I submitted a direct response to these remarks, clarifying my platform and correcting the record. However, The Rhino Times has failed to publish my reply and has ignored multiple requests to remove the inflammatory comments and disable further commentary on my letter. This silence is not just editorial negligence—it is complicity in allowing targeted harassment to persist unchecked.
I am formally requesting that The Rhino Times delete all comments associated with my op-ed and place a lock on further commenting to prevent additional misuse of the platform. This is a reasonable and necessary step to protect the integrity of public dialogue and ensure that candidates are not subjected to unchecked abuse in a space meant for civic engagement.
I will not engage further with individuals who seek to distort my message or bait me into unproductive conflict. My record speaks for itself, and my campaign remains focused on solutions, transparency, and direct engagement with voters.
This statement is being shared publicly and formally submitted to the FCC for review. I will continue to document and report any further instances of targeted or discriminatory commentary that undermine the integrity of this election.
Sincerely,
Dr. LaToya B. Gathers
Candidate for Greensboro City Council At-Large
Dr. LaToya B. Gathers
“I am formally requesting that The Rhino Times delete all comments associated with my op-ed and place a lock on further commenting to prevent additional misuse of the platform. This is a reasonable and necessary step to protect the integrity of public dialogue and ensure that candidates are not subjected to unchecked abuse in a space meant for civic engagement.”
I interpret this “formal request” statement as a “formal request” to censor individuals right to free speech and expression of their opinion. Granted I am not a Constitutional scholar (although I did stay in a Holiday Inn a few times) but as I said, I view this a and attempt to shut down We the People who don’t agree with this individual.
What frightens me is this person wants to be a Representative of the People. Representatives speak and act FOR the people and roll with the slings and arrows. We need more politicians like the late great Howard Coble, not Nicolás Maduro Moros.
I apologize for the typos. Cold medication is the pits.
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No-one knows who this mysterious “Namaste Man” is, or where to find the comments that LBG finds so upsetting – not even the Editor of this newspaper. If the comments appeared elsewhere, LBG needs to direct her grievances there. Nothing to do with The Rhino Times.
Separately, she sure is thin skinned ain’t she? Thin skinned people shouldn’t enter politics. And only a closet Fascist would try to shut down criticism of her own precious self.
Ever heard of the First Amendment, “Doctor” ? It guarantees free speech, even if you don’t like it.
I’ve watched her campaign with admiration—not because she’s followed the usual political playbook, but because she’s rewritten it. She’s shown what it means to lead with integrity, grit, and transparency. She’s refused to pander, refused to perform, and refused to be silenced. That’s the kind of leadership our city desperately needs.
The dismissive comments she’s received—many of them racially coded and personally degrading—are not just offensive, they’re revealing. They show how uncomfortable some people become when a Black woman stands firm, speaks clearly, and refuses to shrink herself for anyone’s comfort. That discomfort is not her burden to carry.
I’ve read her op-ed. I’ve seen her responses. I’ve watched her navigate exclusion, bias, and exhaustion with more grace and strength than most could muster. And I’ve seen her keep showing up—not for applause, but for impact.
Dr. Gathers is not asking for permission to lead. She’s already leading. And I’m proud to stand beside her, not just as a supporter, but as someone who believes in the future she’s fighting for.
She has my vote. She has my respect. And she has my voice, publicly and unapologetically
I’ve watched her campaign with admiration—not because she’s followed the usual political playbook, but because she’s rewritten it. She’s shown what it means to lead with integrity, grit, and transparency. She’s refused to pander, refused to perform, and refused to be silenced. That’s the kind of leadership our city desperately needs.
The dismissive comments she’s received—many of them racially coded and personally degrading—are not just offensive, they’re revealing. They show how uncomfortable some people become when a Black woman stands firm, speaks clearly, and refuses to shrink herself for anyone’s comfort. That discomfort is not her burden to carry.
I’ve read her op-ed. I’ve seen her responses. I’ve watched her navigate exclusion, bias, and exhaustion with more grace and strength than most could muster. And I’ve seen her keep showing up—not for applause, but for impact.
Dr. Gathers is not asking for permission to lead. She’s already leading. And I’m proud to stand beside her, not just as a supporter, but as someone who believes in the future she’s fighting for.
She has my vote. She has my respect. And she has my voice, publicly and unapologetically
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Say it again! When you say it three times, that makes it true!
The good doctor’s website says she likes to push boundaries and ensure that every individual is heard. Might want to change that and say only opinions I agree with should be heard.
Dr. Gathers has consistently demonstrated that she welcomes dialogue, even when it’s critical. What she doesn’t—and shouldn’t—tolerate is commentary rooted in racial bias, personal attacks, or misinformation disguised as opinion. There’s a difference between civic discourse and targeted harassment, and she’s drawn that line with clarity and courage.
Her campaign has been a masterclass in transparency, boundary-setting, and direct engagement. She’s responded to critics with facts, not fury. She’s corrected the record when misrepresented, and she’s asked for basic editorial accountability—not censorship, but standards. That’s not silencing dissent—that’s protecting the integrity of public dialogue.
If your idea of “being heard” includes degrading language or racially coded insults, then yes—she’s not going to entertain that. And frankly, she shouldn’t have to. Leadership means knowing when to listen and when to stand firm. Dr. Gathers has done both, and she’s earned my respect because of it.
She has my vote. Not because she agrees with me on everything, but because she leads with conviction, clarity, and the kind of integrity this city sorely needs.
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No she does NOT welcome critical dialogue – and her Letters, Comments, smears, and slanders prove it.
Scott I know I’m getting up in the years but my memory is still pretty sharp. I read the Rhino daily sometimes several times a day and I have no recollection of this person posting a letter. The only candidate I remember is Niki Smith last month I don’t recognize the Namaste Man as ever being on your website , that’s not to say that I can’t be mistaken. But regardless after rereading her letter, I don’t think I’d be inclined to vote for her. I don’t like her attitude
Thanks Scott for giving us this forum
https://www.rhinotimes.com/letters-to-the-editor/candidate-says-real-leadership-doesnt-hide-behind-yard-signs/
Hey Doc, better rethink your wanting to run for public office. You’ll be burned to a crisp with your thin skin. I do believe you like rainbows, pixie dust and unicorns.
If your idea of political toughness is mocking a Black woman’s boundaries and belittling her clarity as “thin skin,” then maybe it’s time you rethink what leadership actually looks like.
Dr. LaToya Gathers doesn’t need to harden herself to earn your respect. She’s already shown more strength, strategy, and stamina than most candidates—running a solo campaign, responding to exclusion with grace, and standing firm in the face of bias. That’s not pixie dust. That’s power.
And if rainbows and unicorns mean believing in a city where youth are empowered, the unhoused are supported, and leaders are held accountable—then yes, she believes in that. So do I.
Mocking her tone doesn’t erase her record. Dismissing her boundaries doesn’t make you brave. And underestimating her only proves why we need her in office.
She’s not here to be palatable. She’s here to be principled. And that’s exactly why she has my vote.
Not mocking just giving an opinion which The Rhino allows. I believe most readers understand where this canidate wants to take Greensboro and some agree and some do not. Paige, I respect your opinion and other opinions listed and it’s good to have the Rhino publish all of them.
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When JV says he believes that she believes in rainbows, pixie dust, and unicorns, he’s saying that her Letter is just full of banal platitudes – which is exactly the criticism I made of it in the first place.
I never thought it would trigger Ms Gathers so badly. She must be very thin skinned.
To Whom It May Concern,
As a white male resident of Greensboro, I’m writing to express my deep concern over the treatment of Dr. LaToya B. Gathers following the publication of her op-ed, “Candidate Says Real Leadership Doesn’t Hide Behind Yard Signs” (August 30, 2025). I am submitting this statement to both the Rhino Times and the Federal Communications Commission in support of her request for accountability and editorial integrity.
After the op-ed was published, an individual known online as “Namaste Man” and Al Hare and others posted inflammatory and racially coded remarks about Dr. Gathers, including the claim that she has “nothing” on her account and that her name is “repetitive nothing.” These comments are not only false—they are offensive, dismissive, and steeped in a pattern of rhetoric that far too often targets Black women who dare to lead with clarity and conviction.
I stand with Dr. Gathers in formally requesting that The Rhino Times delete all comments associated with her op-ed and lock further commentary to prevent additional misuse of the platform. This is not censorship—it is a necessary step to protect the integrity of public dialogue and ensure that candidates are not subjected to unchecked abuse.
Dr. Gathers has run a principled, transparent campaign focused on solutions, not spectacle. Her refusal to engage in performative politics is exactly what our city needs. I support her leadership, her courage, and her commitment to speaking truth even when it’s inconvenient. She has my vote.
This statement is being shared publicly and submitted to the FCC in solidarity. I will continue to speak out against the racial and gendered bias that undermines our democracy and stand with candidates who lead with integrity.
Sincerely,
JR
Greensboro Resident and Voter
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Every reader/writer who sends a letter to the editor to the Rhino Times knows they accept comments.
It says “Opinion” on the top banner.
JR,
I will repeat my comment I made to someone else who “formally requested” the deletion of personal public comments about Dr Gathers.
We have the 1st Amendment not to protect just speech with which we agree, but to protect the right to disagree. You’re support/request to invoke the powers of the FCC to censor/stifle speech, comments, or opinions you disagree or are offended by is, IMO, dangerous. Your last sentence, “I will continue to speak out against the racial and gendered bias that undermines our democracy and stand with candidates who lead with integrity.” is exactly why, again IMO, view your statements as dangerous.
But hey, I’ll be me.
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You’re right, Patrick. These people are fascists. Having failed to intimidate me by reporting me – by name – to the FCC, Ms Gathers is now working behind the scenes to silence me. Her and her acolytes are dangerous totalitarians who have no place in the government of our democratic republic.
And have you noticed? She has sicced her sycophants on me, but among all the vile character assassination NOT ONE has been able to substantiate their claims that I am a racist, a misogynist and a coward.
Not one. Because I have said nothing racist, misogynistic, or cowardly.
My “crime” is just that I dared to criticize her – and she happens to be a black female.
She’s playing the race card.
But then, that’s what the Left always does, isn’t it? And she’s hard Left, with her hero being Barbara Lee, described by Wikipedia as “A Noted Progressive”. She confessed this in answering the Ballotpedia questionnaire. She’s no Republican, as she claims.
These people are more like contemporary Brownshirts than freedom loving Americans.
I hope the Rhino will let me defend myself.
Al Hare,
I only disagree with one thing you said…they are mindless drones, not acolytes.
Notice how all the letters resemble one another almost verbatim.
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Yes Patrick, you’re not the only one who’s noticed that almost all the Letters display the same syntax, style, and structure.
I bet she’s writing these attacks on me – under fake names! But then, she would have to wouldn’t she? That’s because in answering her Ballotpedia questionnaire she could not name a single organization that has endorsed her candidacy. In fact, she could not even name A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL who’d endorsed her campaign.
Sad. This person has serious personality problems.
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You’re lying about me.
If I have ever said anything – anything at all – that was “racially coded’ and “inflammatory” now is your chance to tell us all what I said.
Go ahead. Or apologize to me for your groundless character assassination.
—————————-
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…crickets. Just crickets.
Gathers’ Gang of Goons just lie, and smear people. Or it’s just little thin skinned Latoya taking out her pique on the keyboard. And me.
It says a lot—none of it flattering to the status quo.
When a principled Black woman steps into the public arena with clarity, boundaries, and a refusal to play the performative game, and the loudest pushback comes from a chorus of older white men, it’s not just coincidence. It’s a pattern. It reveals who feels most threatened when power shifts, even slightly, toward equity and accountability.
It says that some folks are more comfortable critiquing tone than engaging with substance. That they’d rather mock her boundaries than confront the discomfort of being challenged by someone who doesn’t need their permission to lead.
It says that Dr. LaToya Gathers is doing exactly what she set out to do: disrupt the old guard, expose the gatekeeping, and make space for leadership that doesn’t ask for approval—it demands respect.
And it says that the future of Greensboro won’t be built by those clinging to outdated norms. It’ll be shaped by those who show up with vision, courage, and the audacity to lead differently.
She’s not here to be liked by everyone. She’s here to serve with integrity. And that’s exactly why she has my vote.
So let me see if I understand you. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
“When a principled Black woman steps into the public arena with clarity, boundaries, and a refusal to play the performative game, and the loudest pushback comes from a chorus of older white men, it’s not just coincidence. It’s a pattern. It reveals who feels most threatened when power shifts, even slightly, toward equity and accountability.”
Your statement, sir, is insulting to many people. Are there people who use skin color as their main thing when judging people? Yes. But I would point out that applies to BOTH sides. Rocks, glass houses, etc. And those people are both the problem in our society. Short of frontal lobotomies for the entire human race, you are not going to change it. Welcome to the real world, assuming you can face it.
People are entitled to their personal opinions, and as long as they keep them to themselves or among those that share them and not try to force them on me, I will go about my business, support those I wish, defend those that I personally consider worthy, and know all will be settled by Him in the end.
If people don’t like that attitude, I say look deep into my eyes and tell me you see a little man jumping up and down screaming I give a damn.
But hey, I’ll be me.
Dan I’m curious, do you have a crystal ball if not how do you know that It’s a “chorus of old white men” that you’re referring to
“When power shifts, even slightly, toward ‘equity,’ when it should be equality.
Land of the Free…Until You Express an Opposing Opinion
Maybe it’s my imagination but the comments from Sue, Allison, Paige and Dan seem to have a common underlying syntax and structure. Could be old age creepin in though……
No, you nailed it, Peter!
Peter Farquhar,
I noticed that from the outset. As I said, mindless drones being given form letters, recommended buzz words/phrases/supposed “personal” statements.
If you are going to do this Ms. Gathers.
As for the various character attacks of prejudice, I suggest folks take on my philosophy while in the military…I’m the least prejudicial person you’ll meet…I ignore all regardless of race, sex, creed, color, religion, or sexual orientation
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Or it could be “Doctor” Latoya Bernice Gathers pretending to be someone else, to make her support seem greater, and to give her cover for the despicable smears levelled against me personally.
Good spotting, Peter.
Al it just seemed so contrived. Maybe not all the same person but they are reading the same script. Just Democrats playing games. Reminds me of another incident a few years back where a couple candidates pulled a switcheroo in the final moments before the filing deadline. The victim of that switch was Jim Kee if memory serves. They even play games on themselves.
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Yeah Peter, Democrats have no ethics, no morality. I would enthusiastically cast a vote for Jim Kee but I’m not in his District. I’ve known him since he sold pharmaceuticals, and he’s a genuine good guy. He’d be a great Mayor too.
Hey I just realised! He’s black! So how does the precious Doctor explain me supporting a black man, if I’m such a horrible racist?
They are most likely AI generated responses that Doc Gathers or one of her cronies mass produced and then cut and pasted into their replies. All similarly worded and all posted almost back to back. Maybe she got advice from Chris on how great AI chat bots are.
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Oh, of course! I never thought of A.I. but that would make it all very easy. Then she could just post them one after the other, which explains the rapid succession of comments in brief intervals.
Thanks, Don.
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Latoya’s just not very intelligent, poor girl. She creates false comments here under a fake name, but uses the phrase “To Whom it may Concern” repeatedly under various names. That’s a give away. She must think it makes her sound erudite.
Other aspects of her diction and style are evident in the attacks she has made against me under other fake names.