Racism dead in America? Don’t bury your head in sand
Many people (mostly conservatives) claim racism is dead in America. Ann Coulter of FoxNews recently said there are more cases of cholera than racism; others on that so-called news channel have echoed that statement.
Unfortunately, April happened. Cliven Bundy, the new tea party hero, revealed himself as a ignorant racist. Donald Sterling, a man who made a lot of money using black men, confirmed what many already knew.
The most disgusting example: On Easter Sunday, someone in Virginia planted plastic Easter eggs with messages like “Diversity = white genocide” in people’s yards.
Too many people continue to bury their heads in the sand hoping this problem just goes away, but it never will as long as we as a society allow this type of behavior to continue. Racism has no place in this country. Don’t socialize with these type of people, don’t do business with these type of people, don’t support these type of people in any way. Let them know they are not welcomed, wanted or needed in this great country that we live in.
— Jerry Cook
Salisbury

Reconsider denial of Pride Day
In the Post, April 25, Mayor Paul Woodson was reported to have denied the request of Salisbury Pride to proclaim Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Day. I would like to appeal to Mr. Woodson to please reconsider this refusal.
It is said by Mayor Woodson that, because of controversy surrounding the group, it does not meet the criteria for a mayoral proclamation and one cannot be issued.
It is true that there is controversy surrounding the idea of what this day represents, but I would like to point out to Mr. Woodson that this controversy comes from a specific minority who, by their actions, have shown themselves to be practitioners of judgment and condemnation rather than fostering helpful dialogue based on open-mindedness and tolerance.
Their language reflects a base intolerance to people and lifestyles that are different in nature from their own. Mr. Woodson, this is essentially the definition of bigotry. Letting this created controversy influence the decision to issue a mayoral proclamation not only legitimizes the group(s) that create it but also reinforces the point of view itself.
One of the many things history shows us, particularly here in the South, is that when groups, whose words and actions stem from a bigoted world view, are allowed to influence our leadership, that bigotry is nurtured and can grow.
The city government, by refusing to issue this proclamation on the basis it has claimed, could, in effect, be institutionalizing the very controversy they cite as their reason for a refusal in the first place. Therefore, in the interest of presenting a position that stands on the side of tolerance and inclusion, I would ask that the mayor please reconsider his position on this issue. Thank you.
— Robert Kent Smith
Spencer
Mayor right on proclamation
I just want to take time to commend and congratulate Mayor Paul Woodson on his courage in standing up to the demands of the gays, lesbians, bisexuals, etc. on the Pride Day issue. It seems we have reached a place in our country where perversion is expected to be treated as normal.
Regardless of attempts to justify the practices of these groups with terms like “inclusion,” “diversity,” “fairness” and best of all “that is how God made them,” the fact remains that their practices are not normal human behavior and are depraved.
The same arguments would be just as valid to justify other depravities such as child abuse, bestiality or even murder. After all, “God made them that way.” Great job, Mayor Woodson — keep it up!!!!
It is very interesting to note that the person writing to protest the mayor’s action (“Mayor is wrong,” April 30 letters) lives in San Francisco, Calif., the undisputed capital of perversion in the United States.
— James Smith
Salisbury

Independents deserve voice
While primaries are publicly funded, closed primaries in 17 states will keep over 13 million voters from fully participating in the first round of the mid-term elections.
In North Carolina, along with a handful of other states, we have semi-open primaries, where voters must choose a single party ballot to cast their vote. Such abridged ballots, however, keep the parties in control.
And while the Republican Party in our state has been at the forefront of the most recent attacks on voting rights — eliminating same day voter registration, curtailing early voting and enacting voter identification laws — the Democrat Party has long been complicit in protecting their own partisan interests by failing to stand up for the inclusion of all voters.
On May 6, Primary Day, independent voters in North Carolina will be coming together in solidarity of our sister states where independents are being excluded from the mid-term elections or restricted from exercising our full voting rights.
Such states include Ohio and Pennsylvania, where primaries are also taking place in May; in other states, including neighboring South Carolina, the parties are trying to close the primaries. Such attacks are fundamentally undemocratic.
As Cynthia Carpathios, one of Ohio’s independent political leaders, recently noted, “This is the independent’s plight: we are first class taxpayers when it comes to funding the administration of elections, but second class voters.”
— Dr. Omar Ali
Greensboro

Cleveland school is impressive
I was honored to be invited to breakfast and a tour of Cleveland Elementary School this morning (April 30). I was impressed with the school on several levels.
I’ve seen many schools that have staff dedicated to teaching — Cleveland was no exception — however, never have I seen so many students dedicated to learning. Although there was an occasional squeak in the second floor which can be oiled, I was surprised at the 80-plus year-old building’s soundness.
It was reminiscent of the school where I spent my early years in Waynesboro, Va. Like my old school, it was small and comfortable enough that everyone knew everyone else.
The tour was led by several students who were obviously proud of their school. I stopped by each classroom and spoke to the children from kindergarten to the fifth grade. They were very open to a stranger asking what they were doing at that time.
At each grade level, someone spoke up and gave details about the project or subject they were involved in.
I was also impressed at the atmosphere of respect and pride the students showed, not only for their teachers, but for their peers as well.
Oh, yeah, did I mention the excellent smorgasbord they set up for us?
— Chuck Hughes
Salisbury
Hughes is a member of the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education.
Thanks for making this home
Recently my father Victor S. Farrah passed away at the VA Hospice House. I want to thank them and Hospice of Rowan County for their excellent care for him and our family in his last days. They were there for us every step of the way. The VA Hospice House is a beautiful facility and it was like being at home.
Since he moved here 5 years ago, the expert and quality medical care in Salisbury provided my father with five meaningful years while he battled cancer. Thank you, to all of those fine medical professionals.
My family also wants to thank the Salisbury-Rowan community for making my parents feel welcome and at home. You made it easier for him to leave his home of 50 years, and he loved the Salisbury/Rowan community. We appreciate the outpouring of love through all the cards, comments, flowers and memorials.
Finally, thank you to the Salisbury Post for printing his articles. He loved to write about his life experiences, ways to improve government/community, and his passion for a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflicts. He loved to engage in conversation about them and enjoyed the comments about the articles.
Salisbury was a wonderful place to enjoy his final years.
— Brad Farrah and Family
Salisbury