Country On A Downward Spiral

Dear Editor,

With our nation’s birthday fast approaching, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the gift that we have and the sacrifices made of those who have gone before us.  We have the longest surviving democracy in the history of the world, but can we keep it.  It has been said that we are unlikely to be overthrown by a foreign power but that our demise will come from within our own country.

With that in mind, it’s evident that we are in a downward spiral driven by fear, hate and distrust and, significantly, by suspicion of one another and authority.  There is a blatant disregard of the laws of our land and the Constitution by a frightening increasing number of our citizenry.  Past respect for the worth and dignity of others is disappearing and with that caring and passion for those in need. 

Can America survive this crisis and once again become a beacon of hope for the world and be an example an example of excellence for all?  The answer rests within each one of us.  May we rediscover our core values and basic humanity and fully realize that our thoughts and actions must hinge on love.  Let it be, let it be so.

Bob Kollar

 

 

Repeating Horrific History

Dear Editor,

History is full of examples where historic wounds were used to excuse crimes.  We need to evaluate and act before crimes turn into atrocities.

Critical race theory is racist.  Labeling an entire race as criminal because one individual of that race committed a crime is a stereotype.  Holding all subsequent generations accountable for crimes committed by previous generations/individuals sharing physical characteristics is retribution.  Yes, reparations are racist.  If your uncle was robbed by someone 30 years ago, you shouldn’t punish everyone who looks like that person today.  This is the same for the crime of racism.

Cultural appropriation is a new name for discrimination.  Not allowing someone to attend French cooking classes because they are not French is racist.

Fighting against gentrification, against other racial groups moving into your neighborhood, is discrimination.  Promoters argue that Caucasians moving in changes property tax values, threatens cultural dynamics, and increases arrests and crime.  This reasoning is shockingly similar to excuses during the ’60s.

Safe spaces, providing separate accommodations for minority groups, is segregation.  It’s simple math.  Let’s say you have 20 jellybeans.  Of these, 15 are purple and five are green.  Let’s also say you have two bowls, one the standard 30 bean ceramic bowl, the other a smaller 10 bean golden bowl.  If you put all five green jellybeans in the golden bowl, mathematically, all beans in the ceramic bowl will be purple.  Self-segregating amplifies extremist biased racist ideologies.  It is easier to stereotype “other” groups the less frequently they interact with each other.  It is easier to ignore humanity in “others.”  It’s easy to forget how much more we have in common.  Do these individuals really have things better or worse than us?  The more we self-segregate, the easier it is to miss the everyday struggles others face, we all face.

Teaching critical race theory in schools and federal institutions is institutionalizing racism.  It is institutional racism.

Critical race theory harms every American of every race.  Why would someone go to college or medical care if you’re going to be victim of racism?  If you get there expecting things to be as easy as the theory led you to believe, and they aren’t, self-doubt may cause you to give up and drop out.  Or, you might falsely accuse faculty of purposely making things difficult, just for you.  Either way, you shut yourself off from valuable resources and experiences.

Alan Burke