Letters To The Editor

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

I said wrong thing, albeit innocently

The other day, I stood on the sidelines watching my grandson playing baseball with the rest of his team. They were in a 5-8 group. One player, Sam, was black. When Sam came up to the plate, I shouted, “Keep your eye on the ball, Sambo.”

Behind me I heard his mother say, “What did you call him? That was very offensive.”

I turned to see who was speaking. My first impulse was one of anger, but I apologized immediately.

I have a very good friend I call Sambo, most of the time. He is white. Believe me, I now understand why it was offensive to Sam’s mother, but it took some time to get over the surprise I felt for the rebuke. I didn’t realize the anger at the history of abuse of the African-Americans ran so deep in this part of the United States, having been raised here. I meant no disrespect.

I have spent the last four years researching the “Buffalo Soldiers” of the Tenth Cavalry for a book I have written. Bigotry is not new to me. However, in all the years growing up in Spokane, I did not see that kind of behavior in my fellow students. I have traveled a great deal in the Southeast and I have seen it there.

It is unfortunate that we have to be so very careful not to use words, out of the past, which may infuriate some people. My apology to Sam goes with this letter. I hope he thought nothing of it. Norman F. Bergman Liberty Lake

Just get rid of men, period

If the statistics are correct in the letter written by Elizabeth H. Smith (July 8), then the obvious solution to eliminate any menace is to eliminate both homosexual men and heterosexual men.

Bravo, Elizabeth Smith! Alex J. Texmo Mead

Maxey’s contribution memorable still

A year ago today , we got the news about Carl Maxey.

As I sat among the masses who came to honor him four days later, I have never forgotten the sense of unity and brotherhood which seemed to embrace the diverse crowd gathered there that day. The many lives he had so obviously touched.

I am proud to say I knew Carl Maxey. I am sorry to say I did not know him better. For it was only at the time of his death that I became aware of the accomplishments of his life.

The last time I saw Carl I was overwhelmed by the desire to apologize for something. Only later has it become clear in my mind what had been in my heart. The need to say I am sorry for what my people have done to his. And for the first time, I feel naked in my “whiteness.” For all the battles Carl had won, he ultimately lost the war that raged inside.

I will never know if a simple statement would have made a difference to him, but his passing has made a difference in me. Not to win the far less daunting battles of my own life would be a dishonor to his memory; and certainly a dishonor to my own.

Thank you, Carl, for the lessons you have taught me and the courage you have brought to us all. Peggy Kuwada Spokane

Leaders, urge attendance at GU rally

Timing is everything. With tomorrow being the of the rally at Gonzaga University and the Making Lemons out of Lemonade pledge, it’s important for mainstream leaders of our communities - presidents of the chambers of commerce, the mayors, CEOS of big companies like Washington Water Power and Hewlett-Packard - to get behind this activity and ask the public that may be apathetic on these issues to please show up at Gonzaga at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

I’m sure the Coeur d’Alene march is much more tantalizing, but it is of utmost importance for the common man to step forward by attending the rally at Gonzaga. Robert Lloyd publisher of the African-American Voice

Saturday rally to praise brotherhood

Unity in Action, an umbrella group of Spokane human rights groups, in coordination with the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Rights, has organized a human rights rally, “Hands Across the Border for Human Rights” tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Gonzaga University quad.

This rally has been planned to coincide with and counter to the Aryan Nations’ parade in downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, so as to give area residents a safe place to go to stand up for human rights.

This two-hour event will include speakers, music and readings provided by many of the region’s racial, ethnic and religious communities. The rally is free and open to the public. It is a great way for people of all ages to celebrate diversity and say no to hate.

We encourage people to attend to demonstrate to the world that Spokane does not tolerate hate and honors people from diverse backgrounds. Dina Tanners and June Shapiro Spokane

Neo-Nazis Butler getting publicity he wants

Richard Butler’s bunch has the same right as every other sick fringe group does when they want to make their presence known. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees each of this protection as citizens of the greatest country on Earth, the United States.

I have read of many groups planning to meet this violent group with violence. This type of response does not make much sense.

This newspaper is being played like a puppet by Butler, drawing all the free attention he can get toward his cause. You media people enjoy hype and controversy. You are the ones who have created a media feeding frenzy on this issue. The best thing to do would be to cease all your articles about this march, pay this bunch no attention at all and let this group exist in the seclusion of North Idaho, as they, too, are citizens of the United States. If you want to do anything, try praying for peace, for all of us. Tim A. Carson Spokane

Ignoring extremists is deadly dangerous

I heard part of the Mike Fitzsimmons’ radio talk show on Monday. The topic was the Aryan Nation’s parade in Coeur d’Alene. Fitzsimmons maintains the best response is to ignore the entire event and they will just go away.

Common sense suggests this approach, which is regularly used with children and their annoying behaviors. Once in a while it works!

Unfortunately, history does not support him. The world tried to ignore Adolf Hitler. This resulted in millions of Jews, homosexuals, Gypsies and Seventh Day Adventists being exterminated.

Mainstream America tried to ignore the Christian identity and patriot movement. This has resulted in 168 men, women and children being murdered in the Oklahoma City bombing and more than 520 patriot groups operating in 48 states, including 12 in Washington and 18 in Idaho.

The mainstream Republican Party tried to ignore the Christian coalition. This has resulted in many state Republican parties, including progressive Washington, being overtaken by “Christian zealots” and the national GOP fighting for its identity.

No, ignoring extremist political organizations does not work. They must be beaten at their own game. Dean B. Lynch Spokane

Malcontents not typical of Idahoans

We write on behalf of the Idaho Women’s Commission to express our concern about the Aryan Nations parade in Coeur d’Alene. It is necessary to affirm the governor’s position that “a few malcontents” do not represent the people of Idaho. On the contrary, Idahoans are raising their families to embrace diversity, tolerance, and all the qualities essential to respecting the human rights of all people.

All Idaho businesses, media, schools and community institutions have a responsibility to society to use their resources to promote understanding and education, instead of sensationalism and divisiveness.

We hope that through education all of us in Idaho will work toward changing the negative image we have acquired. We can begin by supporting the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, Mayor Steve Judy and the city of Coeur d’Alene by participating in positive activities such as the Lemons into Lemonade pledge that will raise money for human rights groups and by ignoring the activities of a small minority. Cindy A. Agidius and Deidre O. Chadderdon Idaho Women’s Commission

Ignore small group of aberrant losers

When Czech and Slovak dissidents sent the founding document of Charter 77 to the legislative authorities in Czechoslovakia in 1976, they caused panic within the regime. That document soberly described the country’s situation. The first reaction was to mount a massive ideological counterattack. Then, in the summer of 1978 some leaders of Charter were jailed. The regime had no choice as the founding documents were right.

It’s sad that some confused, albeit well-intentioned, people treat the Aryan Nations almost the same way the charter was treated: They mount ideological attacks. Some even want to break some noses tomorrow.

I visited the Aryan Nations web site yesterday. Aside from a poor design (my German Shepherd could probably build a better site) the contents were: reprints from The Spokesman-Review as news (I expected National und Soldaten Zeitung), plus old Nazi anti-Jewish trash.

To even acknowledge the existence of these people is to honor them way too much. Unlike the Chartists they have no idea what they are talking about. Unlike the Chartists they will only attract disoriented losers. Arthur Shopenhauer refused to discuss subjective idealism: “Those people need to be treated, not argued with.” A great German philosopher. Think about it. Peter C. Dolina Veradale