Letters: KC Black Lives Matter murals were a set-up, meant to be vandalized
A big set-up
The sole reason the Black Lives Matter street murals were created was to generate the news story about tire marks on them. (Sept. 16, 1A, “Muralists want ‘act of hate’ by vandals turned into art”)
This entire misanthropic project was maliciously intended to call the people of Kansas City racist by making an ordinary thing that ordinary people do (such as driving on the street that was made for driving) to be interpreted as racist. If you think about it even a little bit, the whole enterprise is just plain evil.
Streets are for driving, not for artwork and certainly not for neo-Marxist political propaganda. Get all street murals off the streets.
- Benjamin McLean, Kansas City
Refocused
The Black Lives Matter mural in the Northland had expressed hope for things as they should be. Its vandalism was an attempt to obliterate that message.
In a cruel twist of irony for the perpetrators, their act merely changed the focus to a portrayal of things as they are, thus amplifying the message.
- Paul L. Schenk, Parkville
What it’s about
Those of you who criticize the Black Lives Matter movement: You don’t understand. It’s not about showing disrespect to the flag. It’s about equality for us as Black people and not being called racial slurs.
People just need to get the facts before they speak on things they don’t know anything about
- Carol Clayton, Kansas City
Health care needs
Like Kansas state Rep. Barbara Bollier, I am a lifelong Kansan, physician and, for most of my life, a Republican. I’ve left Kansas only once, to serve as a general medical officer in the U.S. Air Force.
I am supporting Bollier for U.S. Senate because this fight is personal to me and so many other Kansans.
My wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her 30s and has had that preexisting condition since. If it weren’t for my own health care coverage, we couldn’t afford her medical needs. I’m lucky to have been covered, but other families are not that fortunate — especially now, as so many face economic insecurity during this pandemic.
As a physician, I know how critical the coverage Bollier is working toward is for Kansans. For many, it really is life or death.
I’ve been disappointed to see her opponent, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, attempt to roll back protections for Kansans with preexisting conditions and oppose Medicaid expansion in Kansas. As a fellow physician, he should know better. Yet he continues to tout plans that don’t exist or don’t do what they say they will.
I urge you to join me and many other Kansas doctors in voting for Barbara Bollier.
- Rex S. Romeiser, Salina, Kansas
Will police pay?
The city of Louisville, Kentucky, recently announced it would pay the family of Breonna Taylor $12 million to settle the lawsuit filed over her death. (Sept. 16, 1A, “Louisville to pay $12M to Taylor’s mom”)
Money for payments such as these (as well as legal fees) comes from our tax dollars. If these costs were instead paid from police pension funds, would police officers be more hesitant to use deadly force? Would police misconduct be reduced? Would the good officers be more willing to root out the bad ones?
- Steve Barnhart, Kansas City
Flu shots crucial
As the cooler weather hits, so too does the start of flu season. Influenza can be a very serious viral infection for children, especially younger children and those with underlying medical conditions. As a pediatrician, I know the flu shot is important every year. However, this year, making sure you have your flu vaccine early is critical.
It is possible to be infected with more than one virus at a time — for example, influenza and the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Because we have not yet experienced a flu season with COVID-19, we don’t know the impact on children infected with both viruses.
Methods to prevent influenza in our children, including social distancing, masks, frequent hand-washing and virtual schooling, align with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, the best thing you can do to lower the risk of deadly infection is to vaccinate against influenza every year.
Last flu season, 188 children died from influenza. About 80% had not been not vaccinated. The 2019 flu vaccination rates in children were 57% in Missouri and 63% in Kansas.
If there were ever a year to aim to increase flu vaccination coverage to keep our kids healthy, COVID-19 has made 2020 that year.
- Sophia Hackman, Kansas City