Finally, someone talks honestly about race

The writer is responding to a guest column in Sunday’s Post by Linda Ketner, “Yes, racism is a white problem.”

Thank goodness there is someone who is willing to talk about race in a real and substantive way.

Reading Ms. Linda Ketner’s article was refreshing and honest. I have followed her a bit when she was running for national office in Charleston, S.C., and have written to her father about the good work he is doing here is Salisbury, I have a feeling what she wrote is from her heart.

For Ms. Ketner to put in writing some of things that I strongly feel about race gives me hope that the arc of justice is bending toward fairness. I agree that racism is indeed a WHITE problem and that most whites will not admit it.

A sign in Baltimore, MD read “…white silence is an act of violence.” I have been fighting racism in Salisbury for a long time and it almost always boils down to what African Americans are doing or not doing. When I ask questions about the disparity in the work force the answer is almost always: “We cannot find qualified African Americans to apply.”  No one has thought to ask why this is the way that it is. I have seen policemen leave the police department and go work for the sheriff’s department without missing a beat.

The education story is abysmal at best. We have seen African Americans principals come and go. Teachers who let it be known that they hate teaching African Americans children, For the last two years that there are no teachers for regular math in one school but AIG students are getting special teachers for their math while the others are being given handouts.    

Thank you Ms. Ketner, I hope your hometown will understand what you are saying and take the moral leadership do something that is right and righteous.

— Dee Dee Wright

Salisbury

Milk and ice cream

On Mother’s Day weekend, I attended my daughter’s graduation from Western Carolina University. While in Cullowhee, I walked by and picked up a Macon County news and shopping guide . How shocked I was to find the editorial entitled “Honor motherhood by avoiding dairy products,” written by Chad Carlyle from Highlands! Chad and Shane Papadopolous, who recently wrote to the Salisbury Post, must know each other well, as the two letters to the editor were identical word for word.

The month of June is National Dairy Month and Father’s Day is June 21. Perhaps a big cold glass of cow’s milk or some yummy homemade ice cream could be a priority in June. Quoting Chad and Shane’s last sentence; “Mother, cows and our own bodies will be most grateful.”

I enjoyed the weekend with my daughters in Cullowhee but had to return to the only dairy operation I try to keep going, and that’s in Mt. Ulla and not Highlands!

— Charles Sloop

Mt. Ulla