Letters: Readers discuss plain-spoken racism, farm worker rights and Trump’s message
Yes, call it out
Former U.S. attorney Barry Grissom wrote in his Jan. 15 guest commentary that he doesn’t believe Kansas state Rep. Steve Alford is a racist. (7A, “It’s time for a rational debate about marijuana”)
Why not? Alford’s comments clearly follow even the most basic definition of racism — so much so that they could be a textbook example of one of the most unsubtle kinds of racism. There is nothing wrong with calling people who say racist things racists loudly and clearly, and we should.
Although Grissom’s commentary is important, and makes a good call for intelligent debate about our marijuana laws, it would have been much stronger if he had left out that sentence about Alford. It makes Grissom sound like an apologist for racists and starts the piece on a weak footing.
Nathan Smith
Bonner Springs
Worker solidarity
Last May, I traveled to Dublin, Ohio, to the Wendy’s headquarters to insist at its shareholders meeting that Wendy’s join the Fair Food Program. It is an internationally recognized partnership among farm workers, growers and corporate buyers that seeks to secure the human rights of American farm workers — and Wendy’s is the only fast-food chain that doesn’t participate.
I directly addressed the chairman of the board, Nelson Peltz, saying I represented rabbis around the country who want to sit down and discuss the moral values involved in joining the Fair Food Program.
“There’s not going to be a meeting,” he replied. “I have enough rabbis in my life.”
That answer just won’t do.
Today, I join members of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights and more than 150 clergy and faith leaders in more than 60 cities in our National Day of Fasting and Witness. We’re fasting ahead of farm workers’ own five-day Freedom Fast on March 11-15 outside of Peltz’s offices in New York City.
As Leviticus 25:35 teaches, “If your brother falls low, and you have power to help him, you shall strengthen him.” When will Wendy’s commit to strengthening workers in all levels of its food chain?
Daniel Kirzane
Overland Park
They’re just words
Derogatory words are often used in times of frustration when seemingly simple tasks are thwarted by unreasonable, intentional obstructions. They are not meant for general consumption because some feelings might be needlessly hurt.
That’s why betraying the trust of a restricted group meeting is a much greater breach of conduct than the uninhibited use of heated words within the give and take of the group. (Jan. 12, 1A, “Trump’s insulting words on immigration set off alarms”)
Words used in the closed meeting about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and the wall along the Mexican border are not the story. The story is why a solution was not forthcoming, and who is being an obstructionist.
This story is part of a pattern of delay and a desire to paint President Donald Trump as a racist. Trump may not be your cup of tea, but he is the only one making a statement in Washington that speaks to the vast majority of Americans. He so much as said he would take care of the so-called Dreamers.
Just give him the wall and finance our military. It’s not rocket science. Decide on a plan, sign it and get on with real issues.
Calvin Day
Kansas City
Have to use them
The Sunday Star had a good article about a program to distribute free gun locks. (6A, “Kansas City Public Library teams with police to hand out free gun locks”)
I fully support this program. The locks are very simple to use — but the recipient must use the lock for it to be effective.
There is no excuse for not keeping your firearms under lock and key with a gun lock or safe so unauthorized people, children and adults have no access.
Bill Artman
Lenexa
Go to the tapes
One politician quotes the president using certain language. Another politician says no such language was used. And another does not recall what was said.
Why not check the notes or the records of the meeting to find out who said what? That’s what journalists should be doing.
And if no records of meetings are made public, we won’t know what is being done by our elected officials in our name.
Sorry — I forgot they are politicians. They don’t want the public to know.
Wes Durham
Kansas City, Kan.
Slap on the wrist
Once again we have an instance where a college athlete is reprimanded for contact with court-storming fans after a basketball game when the home-team administration didn’t do its job of securing the court. (Jan. 16, 3B, “Texas Tech fined $25,000 after fans storm the court”)
A paltry fine isn’t nearly enough punishment to prevent such an event from happening again.
The surest method to solve this problem is to make it clear to every Big 12 Conference team that if court storming is allowed at a home event, the team will relinquish the right to a home game the next season. Instead, it will play two games on the opponent’s court.
Rest assured that if the stakes were raised to this extent, the local administration would be able to formulate a strategy to control its crowd.
Dallas Garr
Emporia
This story was originally published January 17, 2018 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss plain-spoken racism, farm worker rights and Trump’s message."