Letters policy

The News Courier encourages letters to the editor. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and should include a name, address and telephone number for verification. Submissions that do not meet requirements are subject to editing. Send letters by noon on Thursdays to P.O. Box 670, Athens, Ala., 35613, or e-mail to kelly@athensnews-courier.com.

Not a ‘racist’

Dear Editor:

I was very disappointed to read Mr. Benard Simelton’s column in last Sunday’s News Courier.

He made some disturbing statements and insinuations that I feel deserve a response. Just for the record, I have never even met Mr. Simelton.

He was appalled that some parents would withhold their children from President Obama’s school address. With a blanket indictment, he accused all who would do so as racists.

Mr. Simelton, unless you are omniscient (and you are not), you do not know that was the motivation for such parental action. You have no right to condemn any parents (regardless of their skin color) for making such a decision. He said such was a “direct attack on our 44th President.”

That is a charge I consider false, unsubstantiated, and worthy of a written apology to Athens parents. I was uncomfortable with the subtle references the president initially planned to make in his speech. Therefore, I chose to have my children excused, not because my skin color differs from President Obama’s, but because I am opposed to his political agenda and where he wants to take this country. That is my right as my children’s primary provider and teacher.

Does racism still exist?

One would have to be the proverbial ostrich with his head in the sand to claim it does not. However, just because some act in opposition to the interests of others does not automatically make them “racists.”

Mr. Simelton claims President Obama is a “role model.” He’s my president too, Mr. Simelton. But I don’t view politicians as “role models,” regardless of which side of the political aisle they are on.

What made Mr. Simelton’s column most disturbing to me is that he appears guilty of the very thing he condemns. Isn’t it also “racism” to condemn others with “racial motives” when they act contrary to what you believe when you don’t fully know the reason why? Unless I missed it, I don’t believe there were demonstrations in Athens with parents objecting to the president addressing school children because of his skin color.

Mr. Simelton has the right to support President Obama all he wants. What he is not allowed to do is to assign racial motives to those who make decisions for themselves and their families that are different than his. “Racism” is a knife that cuts both ways.