It has been a long time since I have written a letter to the editor. I guess I felt they were never read but I feel compelled to write now. I am old enough to remember the 1960s and 1970s. We had small children then and I remember what a frightening time it was.
With the Vietnam protests and the segregation process we were afraid on so many levels. We were afraid of the Black Panthers for their reported violence, but equally afraid of the white supremacists’ movements who were blowing up everything.
We lived through the tragedy and horror of the murders of John F Kennedy, his bother Bobby and Martin Luther King, any many more whose names have been forgotten.
I do not believe this country is racist. I have listened to many learned black leaders, who lived through that time and agree that our country is not racist as it was then. They agree that every young man, black or white, has more opportunity in this country than anywhere else in the world. They believe their race is being used as pawns and as “victims” for a political ideology that profits from their victim status.
Inciting all these young people of all colors that violence and looting is necessary to get their point across is just wrong. I understand that 95% of Americans believe that what happened to George Floyd was horrendous and must never happen again. However, to incite violence against innocent shop keepers and the police is even more horrendous. Now they are talking about dismantling the police for the acts of one disturbed police officer.
Over the last forty years we have been able to live in peace for the most part with the exception of certain cities. Rudi Giuliani cleaned up New York and many others followed his example. We must not go back to the times when we were fearful to just go outside even if we lived in a small town.
We must support the wonderful police officers who protect us every day. This country was founded on the “rule of law.” We need law and order to not only protect us, but more importantly, it is vital for the survival of our freedom.