Blaming the victim flies in history’s face
Recently, I have read a series of articles and letters to the editor that have exhibited a recurring theme, blame the victim. I’m thinking, they’re the same people who blame the poor for being poor. They should have worked harder, etc. Many people of European descent don’t understand that people of color have historically had a troubled relationship with so-called lawful authority in this country. Police and the military have been the instruments of lawful humiliation; subjugation and death. If there had been no resistance, most would have remained enslaved or would have died at the hands of the lawful authority of the times. Many people of color know that much hasn’t changed through the years; wonder why everyone isn’t treated equitably and why the benefit of the doubt is never exhibited no matter the achievement. But these critical writers think they just enjoy being the poor victims and classify them as such.
RONALD D. JOHNSON, AUSTELL, RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Pitts wrongly trades in race anger
Leonard Pitts never fails to ignite a fire in me — in the worst possible way, that is. The only subject he knows is race and the only way he speaks of it is in hateful tones. His article (“Incidents have nothing to do with race ? Yeah, right?,” Opinion, Nov. 1) is an example of cherrypicking only the news that tends to create divisiveness among races, only the facts he wants to hear. There is only his side. If we talk about the white-on-black crime, it’s racial. If we tend to try to be conciliatory we’re pandering. It is people like Pitts who keep the topic alive and simmering. MLK Jr. would be embarrassed by this rhetoric, I’m sure. Mr. Pitts, I suggest you look around at people who are trying to forget the history of prejudice towards all races and nationalities. Why don’t you give them a chance?
MEL MATUSZAK, DACULA
Media criticism on target
I wanted to commend the Managing Editor Bert Roughton Jr. for his editorial concerning the Republican debate in Sunday’s paper. Unlike most other journalists (even many conservative ones) who, after the debate, seemed to circle the wagons to protect those of their own, Mr. Roughton took the opportunity to honestly criticize his colleagues and displayed a reaction that everyone in his profession should have exhibited — that is, one of disgust and embarrassment. Those of us who are passionate about our profession should not attempt to “protect” its integrity by defending those who trash it. Thanks, Mr. Roughton for calling them out. I have been a subscriber of the AJC for years and have notice over the last 3-5 years the attempt to become more fair and balanced and I certainly hope that the editors continue to “work very hard to obtain balance” and “sweat over how we frame and write our stories.” If so, I will continue to be a loyal subscriber for years to come.
DR. STUART E. COE, MILTON
Our shockingly low local voter turnout
I was perusing the recent election results posted in the AJC. I note that on average, in any particular Georgia city, less than 5 percent of the population cast a ballot. For example, Johns Creek has a population of about 80,000 people. It is touted to be the most highly educated and desirable city in Georgia, if not the region. Yet fewer than 4,000 votes were cast in Johns Creek. Our community should be ashamed that it is so apathetic, when thousands of people around the planet risk their lives to cast a vote. “Someone else will do it” does not work. Participation is the key to a vibrant democracy.
SALPI ADROUNY, JOHNS CREEK
Columnists’ dual take was informative
Was it intentional? Was it coincidental? Whatever, the juxtaposition of Jay Bookman’s column “Health law foes unmoved” and Kyle Wingfield’s “Obama’s plan, your wallet” (AJC, Nov. 1) was perfect. How easy to zero in on certain numbers relating to the costs and increases in Obamacare to suit your political leanings (Jay Bookman), but how timely to have someone explain them and put them in perspective (Kyle Wingfield). So often I wish that columns disagreeing on the same subject would be in at the same time, and this time they were! I think it was Mark Twain who said, “There are lies, damn lies, and and there are statistics.” Thank you.
JUDITH MCCARTHY, ATLANTA
