RACE RELATIONS
Societal dysfunction not just a black issue
Mike Lowry starts his letter (“Reverse discrimination hurts blacks as well,” Opinion, March 9) with the “I’m-not-a-racist” disclaimer. He says racism will not die until blacks stop identity politics and focus on achievement. He says reverse discrimination has been allowed, even encouraged because “black leaders push to elect people because they are black.” He says blacks complain that “too many whites are moving into downtown Atlanta.”
He fails to see that which is all around him in Roswell. The black and Hispanic communities of Roswell are experiencing an influx of development. Blacks and Hispanics there are not complaining that too many whites are moving in. The comment about blacks shouting racism any time blacks are asked to be accountable for black-committed crimes and out-of-wedlock births is false. Blacks are acutely aware of the disparity in sentences handed out for similar crimes based on one’s zip code.
Out-of-wedlock births are not unique to the black community. There are numerous Georgia counties where this problem is systemic. He states that he’s been dealing with “African-American history” from the “War on Poverty” through President Obama’s expansion of food stamps. African-American history began in this country in 1619 when the first slaves were brought to the Jamestown Colony. Achievements of African-Americans have had a profound effect on this country in all phases of American life.
BIRDEL F. JACKSON III, ALPHARETTA
POVERTY
Don’t fault majority for poors’ bad choices
Visiting writer Nicholas D. Kristof (“Helping Hands Needed,” Opinion, March 9) suffers from the same separation from reality as Opinion columnist Jay Bookman. It’s the liberal way. No one wants a child born in a distressed home to suffer, but the middle class can’t be held responsible for the lack of family planning and promiscuous lifestyles practiced by those who have babies knowing they will always be on welfare.
JACK FRANKLIN, CONYERS
Push for equality an excuse for socialism
Many Democrats are pressing for income equality. Let’s say they get it. Income is either spent or saved. Some would spend more and save less than others. Over time, the savers would accumulate more wealth than the spenders. Certainly, these same Democrats would eventually demand that those who saved more have their wealth reduced and distributed to those who spent more. Don’t these people seek a socialist society? Didn’t that not work for the Soviet Union? Perhaps their position is they just didn’t know how to do it, and we’ll get it right. Just like Afghanistan.
ALLEN BUCKLEY, ATLANTA
