Arrow-right Camera

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Intent objectionable

Jim Barbieri’s Dec. 28 rant about President Obama was published, and his use of “biracial” has been questioned in following letters. Some found it offensive. Others claimed it was just stating a fact.

We are missing the point. It is not inherently an offensive word, but it seems Barbieri used it as if it were an insult.

What does the ethnicity of a president matter? Would he also have written “Irish Ronald Reagan” or “German Dwight D. Eisenhower”? No.

His choice to use it, especially considering his negative assessment of Obama’s policies and performance, shows his intent. That is what I find objectionable.

Rose Rhoades

Spokane



Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Fax
(509) 459-3815

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy