They're not sheep
The April 3 letter "Flames of racism" was offensive to me on a number of levels. First of all, to say that "many African-Americans will blindly follow Obama and liberals" is an insult to the intelligence and integrity of African-Americans, who most assuredly have their own opinions and political beliefs like every other human being and don't "follow" anyone as if they were ignorant sheep. Just because President Obama is biracial doesn't mean that all black people agree with his politics or will vote for him in the coming election.
And to call the president's comments about Trayvon Martin's tragic death "despicable" and to boldly assert that the president made these statements "for purely political reasons" must mean that the letter writer and President Obama are very close, indeed. Otherwise, how can he claim to know so well another man's heart?
Also, as a white woman, I would never presume to comment on what it feels like in this country to be African-American. No doubt the "flames of racism" are apparent to them every single day, in a way that it isn't readily apparent to me. I'm sure they don't need a tragic incident like the killing of an unarmed African-American teenager to remind them that racism exists, or to "fan" their "flames."
We might not know all the facts, but one fact is indisputable. This young man's life is over. We should all be outraged about that, no matter what color we are.
TERRI K. ERICKSON
Lewisville
Speaking up for the animals
There are many pressing issues facing us as we decide who will receive our vote in both local and national elections, and I would like to mention yet one more criteria to consider.
Regardless of political party, I expect my elected officials to show compassion for both people and animals. In this light, I remind my fellow Forsyth County residents that when an ordinance regulating the cruel practice of chaining dogs 24/7 as a primary means of confinement came before the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, of those commissioners currently running for public office, only Everette Witherspoon Jr., David Plyler and Debra Conrad spoke up for the animals and for the many of us who told them we cared.
If I were not quite sure who to vote for, I would rather err on side of someone who is willing to stand up for what they believe is right and can see the harm and injustice of chaining a pack animal alone for its entire life.
Compassion for animals can be expressed by people in all political parties, but only Witherspoon, Plyler and Conrad rose to the occasion in Forsyth County.
All it takes for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing, and these three commissioners showed us they are eager to do something. Please show your appreciation on May 8.
HEATHER KIERSTEAD
Winston-Salem
The hope of Easter
It is disturbing to read your editorial page each day. It seems that the writers are absolutely certain of the rightness of their positions and equally certain that the opposition's view is grounded in ignorance and/or evil.
Why is it that our nature causes us to be either the victim or to create victims? Could it be so we can avoid an honest evaluation of our own failings? The firmly asserted view is either wrapped in the authority of religious doctrine or in secular wisdom.
We should be careful. St. Paul said, "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." The very upside-down nature of the Gospel is that, in the words of Tim Keller, "We can say that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope."
It took Christ's death on the cross to save each of us from ourselves. If I can stop and remind myself that when I criticize with the certainty of my own moral goodness, that Christ died for the object of my criticism just as he had to die for me, maybe I can begin to act with the same love and grace God does.
If this Easter season we can take the enormity of what Christ did for us into our hearts maybe we have a chance to experience life now in our world of "as it is in heaven." That is the hope and opportunity of Easter.
ROBERT E. ESLEECK
Winston-Salem
Sum It Up
Do you think President Obama is radical?
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