… Will the circle be unbroken?
Community peace talks seek to heal old wounds

The privilege walk was a great additional exercise this week. The nature of the questions reflect the fact that privilege is much more complex than a binary, either you have it or you don’t.

There are many social and economic factors behind privilege. And every person is likely to benefit from some privilege, and not from others.

For instance, compare a rich, white, male who grew up with distant, absent parents to a poor, black woman with supportive, engaged parents.

Although the former enjoys racial, gender, and class privilege that the latter does not, the latter enjoys the privilege of loving parents engaged in her life that the former does not.

Part of what makes the peace talks so great is it gives the participants a chance to understand that each of us has our own struggles and challenges in life, and the unique struggles of one individual in no way diminishes the struggles of any other individual.

— Mike Martelli

I thoroughly enjoyed this gathering last night. I will be a regular participant.

— Vickie L. Hughes

… Teacher assistants fear for their jobs, cuts impact students too

If the school closest to your house was on fire, what would you do? Would you say, “I didn’t like my kid’s 3rd grade teacher. Let it burn.” Would you say, “My kids are grown and moved away. What do I care?” Would you say, “What’s one less school. They have too many buildings as it is.” Would you say, “My taxes are too high. We can’t afford to put the fire out and repair it.”

Our schools are on fire.

— Ron Turbyfill

The people making these decisions need to spend no less than 1 week doing the job of an assistant. It’s not just a job, it’s a calling.

I applaud the Rowan County assistants for a job well done! Assistants are overworked, under-appreciated and underpaid, but they are still the best bargain for the money that the state has! Keep them!

— Judy Higgins

Wake up North Carolina. Somebody up in that General Assembly is going to have to make our schools a priority.

Our schools are on fire! We need help!

— Sharon Beattie

I’ve always wondered, who’s driving buses when we’re laid off?

— Michelle Allen

… College Football: Hester thriving at N.C. A&T

Way to go Chip! Greensboro (NC A&T) is lucky to have you. You are a great leader and person on and off the football field. So glad to see you back in the game where you belong. One team’s loss is another team’s gain.

— Jennifer Tatum

Coach Hester embodies what coaching is supposed to be. He understands that it’s about building winners and developing character and integrity. He is a true winner…North Carolina A&T is blessed to have a great man like Chip Hester involved in their program. He deserves great things. I am proud to call him “friend”

— Tom Harper

One of the finest men I have ever encountered. Wish him all the best!!

— Gordon Kirkland

Great article on a great leader. All the best, Chip.

— Stuart Smith

… Editorial: It’s a mall, mall world for county

If Rowan County/Rowan County Fair Association would invest in a newer fairgrounds and newer location, imagine the possibilities — a year-round event center. “Jim Graham’s Arena” at the Rowan County Agricultural and Industrial Fair.  …

The Mall location might work well for something like a Discovery Place Kids. There are going to be five total in the Charlotte region and two have been built. With the support for education in this area It could be a great idea.

— Mark Lyerly

… Letter: Too-harsh judgment of Southern culture

Everyone benefited from slavery.

In the pre-Civil War United States, slavery played a critical role in economic development. One crop, slave-grown cotton, provided over half of all U.S. export earnings. By 1840, the South grew 60 percent of the world’s cotton and provided some 70 percent of the cotton consumed by the British textile industry. Thus slavery paid for a substantial share of the capital, iron and manufactured goods that laid the basis for American economic growth.

— Leo Smith

… My Turn, Bruce La Rue:
A trip to the barber shop

One of the best opinion pieces I’ve ever read. Thank you, Bruce. Looking forward to your next article.

— Jenny Hubbard

What a superb article. Thank you for sharing an important cultural moment.

— Rachel Bernheim

… Little League Softball: Rowan wins regional, heads to Oregon for World Series

The men and women that run our Little League are tireless workers for our children. Coaches like Mr. Steve Yang, Director Dan Wales along with individuals like Jeff and Lynn Bernhardt, Jr Mowery and Lisa Dixon along with many others are true heroes of our community. Not because they are winners but because they are volunteers and mentors of children. They do not get paid a dime for their hundreds of hours of work. Fantastic job and congrats to all.

Also if you live in Rowan County why not sign up your son or daughter next spring for baseball or softball? I promise you it will be a good experience! Nothing beats a good hot dog at the old ball park!

— Travis Allen

Wow, what an accomplishment! Good luck! You girls made Rowan County and North Carolina proud.

— Jamie Garner

House bond plan does not include Transportation Museum

While disappointing that we won’t be receiving the $15 million in Spencer on the train museum, I recognize that money doesn’t grow on trees. And transportation infrastructure should be prioritized, without putting up toll plazas anywhere else

— Jeff Morris