Letters to the Editor: Brilliant message by KSU president. Removing statues, murals.
Swap presidents
I just read a statement to the Kentucky State University campus on racism and education by KSU President M. Christopher Brown II, presented in an advertisement in the June 21 Herald-Leader. Brilliant. I’m a NASCAR fan and there’s a process in car racing with the multicar race team companies that if a driver and crew chief seem stalled or stagnant, they switch crew chiefs and drivers to shake things up. Want to see a cultural change in Kentucky? Switch “crew chiefs.” Transfer University of Kentucky President. Eli Capilouto to head KSU and make Brown president of UK. And then stand back and watch.
Ralph Derickson, Lexington
Enforce masks
The governor has opened Kentucky slowly, with just so many people allowed at what is open. Yet here are the people in downtown Louisville who are allowed to protest. People who bust out the windows of businesses and the government building. There is no social distancing and many are not wearing masks. The governor says the coronavirus numbers are going up. Distancing and masks should be enforced. Picking and choosing is discriminatory.
Mona Huff, Mount Washington
Symbol of future
It troubles me, this trend with the American flag. America, while flawed, is still ours, all of ours. The flag doesn’t just represent what America was and is, but, what it can be, what we want it to be, not the property of one party or ideology. We may have swayed from its mission, but the words are still there; the flag is still there for us to use as a symbol, not to drape over centuries of privilege and oppression, and freedom for most, but a symbol to be admired as a destination where all humans are dignified and valued without silent limits based on creed or color.
I’m taking the flag back today, not to keep, but to share. If people have avoided it and have assumptions about the person they see wearing it on their hat or shirt, then let’s decide we aren’t going to let that happen anymore. Instead of saying America is a certain way, let’s say America can be a certain way.
Bob Dummitt, Frankfort
Confused
Many on the left, even the “moderate left”, have recently taken up the call to defund the police. With an upfront confession that I’m very likely to be among the 10-15 percent of Americans that Vice President Joe Biden believes are just bad people, I’m confused. Perhaps someone out there can help.
In the past we have repeatedly been told that Second Amendment nuts have it all wrong and we should simply call the police rather than take action to protect ours. After all, we have been assured, that’s what the police are there for, so there is no need for individuals to be armed.
So we don’t need our firearms because we have the police, and then the police are evil. It’s just too much for us 10-15 percent rubes to get our arms around.
Dave Rosenbaum, Lexington
History lesson
Sometimes removing a statue teaches more history than leaving it in place.
Ross Carter, Lexington
Enough, Andy
The first 30 days of the virus pandemic we leaned forward on our seats as Uncle Andy Beshear solemnly relayed the grim statistics of a new virus. One month later I was beginning to resent being talked to like a 10-year-old, found out the abortion industry had his full support and presenting an ID to vote was not important to him. Andy and his crew also were drawing government paychecks as his small business closing mandates were enforced: I’d like to see something done about that. Now that he’s done moving the statue of Jeff Davis, of course.
John Mackey, Lexington
Keep mural
I wonder if University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto is being opportunistic by destroying the fresco in Memorial Hall. The fresco is a beautiful artistic expression of a moment in time; what Kentuckians thought of their history in the 1930s. I wonder why it couldn’t be covered by a curtain. When a class and a teacher are standing in front of it, the curtain opens to a fantastic opportunity to see what Kentuckians thought of their history in 1934. It would generate discussions and not destroy art or hide history.
Jim Robertson, Lexington