At the end of my sophomore year in high school, the Supreme Court issued the monumental Brown v. Board of Education decision. My father thought, as many did, that there would soon be very significant changes in classrooms and other social realms.
Accordingly, he said we needed to have a sit-down talk.
My first thought was, “We’ve already had the puberty chat.” But he started by observing his view of the sort of friends I kept and how I sometimes even brought along someone of dubious nature. He added that the few he found to be concerning seemed to drift away by my own choosing.
He said, “Still see each person individually and value them each for their qualities and you will continue to have friends to share in your life and share in theirs as well.” Not recalling the exact words, but I’m sure the category of race was evident.
A decade later, I was awed when Martin Luther King Jr. said he hoped to see that all be judged “not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Father’s words reverberated and soon had more diverse meanings.
In reality, we all are biased. But I realize that only by judging, based on those meaningful values before turning away, I have been gifted to know and care for many I would have otherwise lost.
I try to remind myself of my biases every day—and then hope to hit the pause button.
DAVID CHANCE
Conway
It’s not the best option
May I suggest that while grotesquely violent, with a higher degree of finality associated, war is also a clean or clear-cut option for conflict resolution. That doesn’t make it the best option, ever.
It takes more patience, is often more convoluted, can be less immediately satisfying and may naturally carry more doubts and compromises. Peaceful negotiations are more promising for long-term gains, representing civilization’s evolutionary advancement.
Never forget what combat would be worth to you if your loved ones were on the front lines, because someone’s are.
KAY CARPENTER
Little Rock
Reasons to be wary
Sen. Tom Cotton says we should “have a sense of perspective about our priorities.”
I choose to believe Senator Cotton is absolutely correct. Our country and its leaders must stay focused on the most important issue of our time: Winning the war on terror.
If we lose the war, nothing else matters. Not Common Core and school lunches. Not the rate of unemployment. Not Obamacare health insurance. Not concerns about the environment and global warming. Not even redistributing money from the 1 percent. And it certainly won’t matter if there is a perception that gay couples can’t order flowers and cakes for their weddings.
No, these big issues many consider to be so important today won’t matter if the Muslim extremists win the war on terror. Think of our towns and cities and malls and universities being blown up with small nuclear bombs provided by Iran to these radicals.
Think of American Christians and clergy being beheaded in America. Think of American women being stoned to death for some religious infraction. Think of ISIS, al-Qaida and Al-Shabaab controlling the streets in our cities. Then ask yourself what’s the issue you want Senator Cotton and his colleagues to focus on.
I believe the “deal” with the world’s foremost exporter of terrorism may help the extremists defeat us. America needs to avoid a rush to failure. Let’s encourage our leaders to be very wary of negotiating with Iran.
JOHN GALLAGHER
Hot Springs Village
Uncommon initiative
Congratulations, Sen. Tom Cotton. I believe your open letter to Iran about the nuclear control (or lack thereof) negotiations which are underway demonstrates an understanding and initiative uncommon in freshmen senators. Pointing out that any proposed agreement must be reviewed by Congress (where poor decisions will be exposed) before it can be finalized should provide U.S. negotiators a powerful tool to prevent catastrophic agreements.
Although we do not know details of the negotiations (just as we did not know the details of Obamacare until it was finalized), historically, it seems this administration’s negotiations with foreign governments typically gives away a lot and gets very little in return. Let’s prevent this one from being like that.
Thank you, and your courageous colleagues, for this and other actions to support the Constitution and preserve our country as the founders intended.
HOMER LAWRENCE
Malvern
Sexuality not concern
I mean this in the kindest way, but all this controversy over gay this or that is causing a great division in America. I am not saying anyone should accept this or that.
My religious rights will not be taken from me by any law or organization. I am secure in my belief in Jesus to the point that I don’t feel threatened in any way, shape or form.
If you want to be gay, then be gay. Your sexuality is not any of my concern. That’s between you and whatever you think God is, so shut up and do your thing!
I already know and believe the Holy Bible for what it says about such things as homosexuality. God says that when two men lay together such as like a man and woman, they will surely be put to death.
God made woman for man, not man for man, and certainly not animals of different sorts for man or woman to have sex with. I have never seen two male horses, male rabbits, skunks, squirrels, or any other form of life have sex in my 67 years. Could it be said that the lower life forms and animals are smarter than homosexuals?
I will still pray for your spiritual awakening.
RONALD E. SMITH
Little Rock
And it’s a line drive …
I believe God is a baseball fan. As he writes: In the Big Inning … Genesis 1:1.
RONALD BURKETT
Bella Vista
Right to do business
When I was a teenager, I would often see a sign in a business that said, “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.”
We may not like the reason, but as a business owner they have that right. It might not be morally right but they still had the right to do so. As a customer I have the right to choose where I do business, and it is not necessary for me to tell anyone why I don’t do business in a certain place.
The one thing that turns me off about any business is poor service. I may not spend much at a particular place, but I would like to know that my coming to that place is somewhat appreciated.
I will not, knowingly, do business with a same-sex couple and it is my right to do so. If you choose to do business with them, that is your business. After all, we will answer to God for our actions, good or bad.
FREDDY BOEN
Fordyce
Just retire already
I think the American public needs to tell the Clintons that their condo at the Palm Shores Retirement Villas is move-in ready. Bill can stop making all those content-free speeches around the country, and Hillary can stop making all those gaffes about the sniper fire in Bosnia, bringing peace to Ireland, Benghazi, etc.
And if they still crave for political interaction, well, there’s always the homeowners’ association.
DON SHORT
Farmington
Make an omelet
It is refreshing to see that Rep. Dan Douglas has withdrawn his ill-advised House Bill 1934, which would have prevented importation of California wine into Arkansas in retaliation of a California bill possibly restricting importation of Arkansas eggs.
Perhaps Representative Douglas realized that all he was accomplishing was getting egg on his face.
LARRY DODSON
Hot Springs Village
Minimum wage hurts
It seems Brett Gray is part of the 40 percent who think the government should regulate everything they want to and hands off everything else. Personally, I think that 40 percent has grown to 50 percent.
The minimum wage is a beginner’s pay for someone who has to be trained for weeks, maybe months before he is smart enough to begin making money for the company. The minimum wage is a starting point for a greenhorn who will be paid more than he is worth for the training stage and rifted if he isn’t up to snuff by then. This is the real life for most of the ones who either are young, eschewed education or mature people who have to enter the work force due to the loss of their previous support, and have no previous experience.
I was in business for 50 years and hired many people during that time, so I can assure a business has to make a profit if it survives the competition. So, let me give you a picture of the deleterious effects of a $15 an hour minimum wage for the average small businessman. As an example, we’ll use your favorite fast-food restaurant.
At the counter ready to order, you see 10 people working. Now, with a $15 minimum wage, you will see the scanner turned around and you will punch in your order. You will scan your card and get your coffee at the self-service place with the soft drinks, then stand back and catch your order as it comes out of the chute. And you will notice, instead of the usual 10 people, there will only be five. So you are now getting $15 an hour and have put several people out of work.
So sorry, but welcome to the actual world.
WILLIAM PAGE HILL
Springdale
Don’t deserve a raise
Can you believe the audacity of the governor and representatives of this state? They want to give themselves a huge raise. If I’m not mistaken, the legislators only work part time. They also get mileage and meals paid for. Do they really need such a tremendous pay raise?
At the same time they are going to cut unemployment benefits. I think the constituents should be allowed to vote on their pay raises. After all, it is the taxpayers’ money.
They seem to think it’s okay if people work for nine or 10 dollars an hour. Even $11 an hour is a poverty-level wage. These people have to rely on food stamps and subsidies just to live. I think these are the ones who need a pay raise!
GEORGIA DOCKHAM
Cherokee Village
Shades of Big Brother
Phillip Finch’s recent letter scared me to death. I hope others do not think that “cameras exposing both speech and actions, cracking down hard on individuals, and sensitivity training should guarantee a free society.”
His letter also stated that Americans are not yet ready for cameras watching their every move and word in their homes. I totally agree with that statement. The rest of the letter I found quite Orwellian (1984).
DUANE BARBOUR
Little Rock