Letters: KC readers discuss rubber bullets, angry baby boomers and a brave camerawoman
‘Pickles’ tickles
Every day, my husband and I look forward to the funnies, and especially to the strip “Pickles” by Brian Crane. I think he is spying on us.
- Sylvia Smith, Lee’s Summit
Lend your voice
As a former Kansas City minority executive and a current resident of the city, I believe it is time for all to speak out and be heard. So give me your ear for at least eight minutes and 46 seconds and learn why black lives matter — and why white voices are needed.
- Gerald Christian Smith, Kansas City
No rubber bullets
My fellow ophthalmologist Thomas J. Whittaker and I read with interest The Star’s recent story regarding the eye and face injuries a Kansas City protester suffered when he was struck by a police rubber bullet. (June 4, 1A, “Kansas City man says he may lose eye after being struck by rubber bullet”) Demonstrators around the country have suffered similar serious eye injuries.
We strongly recommend that demonstrators wear protective safety glasses or goggles to avoid such potentially sight-threatening injuries. Our recommendation mirrors the recent statement by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, which calls on U.S. law enforcement officials to end immediately the use of rubber bullets to control or disperse crowds.
We want to remind citizens that exercising your constitutional rights shouldn’t mean losing your vision. Follow the hashtags #NoRubberBullets and #NotOneMoreEye in social media.
- Denise E. Capps, Prairie Village
Behind the words
I was born near the end of the baby boomer generation, and I have a daughter who will be a sophomore at the University of Kansas this fall. While marching peacefully near Johnson County Community College to support some of her closest friends recently, she saw a number of older gentlemen who felt the need to either flip off the demonstrators or scream, “All lives matter!” out the windows of their car as they drove by.
The people she described were all men close to my age.
What my generation needs to understand is that all lives absolutely have value and should be considered equal. That’s not even a question. The problem is, though, that there are groups who have never been treated as equals.
There’s a difference between equity and equality. If we must treat black lives differently to achieve equality, then by all means, let’s do it.
To say, “All lives matter,” though, is a blanket statement that forgets the obstacles many have to face.
- Tom Wolff, Overland Park
Courageous act
I’d like to give a huge shoutout to Darnella Frazier, the true unappreciated hero during the horrific event in Minneapolis on May 25, for her fearless actions — actions so monumental they have reverberated around the globe. (May 31, 21A, “How long can the lie that King lamented live on?”)
Frazier was in the right place at the right time. She bravely shot video of the criminal transgressions of the four police officers involved in the death of George Floyd. She then posted her video on social media for the entire world to witness this heinous crime.
Ms. Frazier, you are my hero . Here’s to long, long overdue worldwide change because of your actions.
- Mark Prellberg, Kansas City
Also heroic
The Star’s May 31 “Hometown Heroes” special section featured doctors, nurses, a bus driver, a firefighter, a food pantry volunteer and a teacher. I agree that these folks are heroes, and I’m grateful for all they do.
However, I think the workers at senior living communities have been left out of the positive side of this conversation.
They are some of the hardest-working people I know, and they continue to be blamed for the inability to contain the coronavirus while begging for the tests they need to mitigate the spread inside their communities.
The residents are lonely. Their families can’t visit, and the teams are working harder than ever. They are exhausted and afraid of taking the virus home to their families. They are saddened by the loss of any resident and are grieving with you.
The older population has been hit hardest by this virus. Yet senior living communities have received little recognition for the care they provide to the residents and their families every day.
They are last on the list to get the support and the personal protective equipment they need. They know the risks and still show up to work to take care of the people, your people.
They are heroes, too.
- Erin Burke, Overland Park