By Renee C. Scheidt

In his article published by the Salisbury Post on Nov 21, Tom Campbell stated that due to the current culture war, he hardly recognizes the beloved North Carolina in which he grew up. I agree but for very different reasons. It’s time Mr. Campbell wakes up and smells the coffee. The North Carolina he knew is a shell of its former beauty. Things have dramatically changed, and not for the better. Until he and those like him see this culture war for what it truly is, the erosion will continue. 

It’s time to recognize the ugly truth, quit dreaming about the way we were, and do something if we are to preserve this land we both love.

In my N.C., public schools said the pledge of allegiance, posted the 10 Commandments, learned Bible lessons, and horror of horrors — we even prayed! Teachers never encouraged children to question their body’s biology. There was no such foolishness as “non-binary” and dozens of transgender categories. Educators didn’t secretly call students by another name at school without parental permission. “Furries” would never have been tolerated. 

Teachers were respected because parents trusted these professionals were properly educating their children, not indoctrinating them with leftist, radical agendas. The biggest problems educators dealt with back then were chewing gum in class and throwing spitballs! Drag queens were not invited to read to kids. School libraries didn’t contain books with pictures and instructions on how to sodomize another child (what Mr. Campbell alludes to as “book banning”). Students didn’t beat up teachers for taking away a cell phone or bring guns into the classroom, shooting both teachers and classmates. Yes, high school students brought their rifles proudly displayed on gun racks in the back of their trucks. Did this produce any school shootings? 

Schools graduated educated students instead of giving diplomas to those who can barely read. And Mr. Campbell decries parents who want alternatives to the public school system when private schools can take the same amount of money given by the state and turn out winners? Sounds to me like the “dismantling of our traditional public schools:” might be a good idea!

Mr. Campbell needs to get his facts straight before stating things that are just plain wrong. Simply fact-check his assertions regarding the rich 20 percent not paying their fair share of taxes, and women being shunned and punished. How so? Don’t women have more opportunities than ever before in our history? He asserts women are no longer in charge of their own healthcare. Doesn’t he know abortions are still legal in N.C.? 

He is right in saying that yes, women are being punished. Every time males are allowed to compete in women’s sports, women are punished. They are punished by every left-wing elitist who can’t even define “what is a woman” as demonstrated by our newest Supreme Court Justice. This is another travesty of our new world, and never happened in the N.C. Mr. Campbell knew.

He also rightly states that what went on in the bedroom was private back then. I wish it still was. But when homosexuals march down Main Street shouting about the pride they have in their sexual practices, it’s no longer private. The truth is we don’t want this shoved in our faces and prefer not to know. In his day, society didn’t give an entire month to celebrate what homosexuals did in the bedroom. 

He says the minority rules as he laments “authoritarians” running everything. Last time I checked, N.C. still holds elections where the majority rules. But he is accurate regarding minority rule when it comes to many social issues. In fear of offending others, often the majority is discounted. Thus, the tyranny of the minority prevails.

In my N.C., immigrants are still welcome but required to come legally. Ask my daughter’s father-in-law, a legal immigrant from Hong Kong how he feels about illegals invading our land.

Mr. Campbell correctly states “Decades ago, we would rise up united against anyone threatening our way of life.” I couldn’t agree more. I just wonder where Mr. Campbell lives in N.C. because the one he describes is no longer on the map.

Renee C. Scheidt lives in Salisbury.