Letter to the Editor

What more can we do? There are times in life when being silent is not beneficial to our legacy or to the legacy of the generation that is to follow. The derogatory ‘nappy headed hos comment Don Imus blatantly made on his show pointed at the black student-athletes of Rutgers, but that comment extended much further than that campus. These young women made the grade, gave the time and made the sacrifice to move toward goals, not only on the court, but in life. What more could they do?

I was not going to say anything, but as I walk by the bedrooms of the two young student-athletes who live in my house, what kind of man, what kind of father, what kind of example would I be if I said nothing? Make no doubt about it, the remarks are racist and Imus should lose his job. But, where do we go from here? First and foremost, we must affirm our young people they are intelligent, talented, loved and can do anything anyone else can do. Next, it is time for more than a few people to speak out publicly on the issues of the day, both nationally and locally. For those in leadership in this community to always be silent and safe and always politically correct must understand those choices do not protect or edify the next generation.

What more can we do? Texarkana has an opportunity to be a place where our young people can excel on the football, field, the baseball diamond, the basketball court, in the classroom and with internships to local companies who make a great deal of money off this area. Its time to step up to the plate. Do we truly want this city to be all it can be, or are we just out to make a buck? With city government, lets cultivate our own leaders of tomorrow. To do that, we must embrace each other and each others differences, not fear change and commit to understanding. Then, we must avail ourselves to educate the Don Imuses among us. What more can we do? Plenty.

Rev. Willie F. Williams Sr.

Union Hill Baptist Church

Texarkana, Texas

Powerful letter

TO THE EDITOR:

What a loving and compassionate story in Mr. Moultons letter to the editor 4-4-07 concerning his loss of a friend. I just couldnt prevent a few tears of my own. I too have lost two pets of those circumstances and after a few years, the sadness is still there. I know well see them again.

Charles C. Kelley

Texarkana, Texas

Great performance

TO THE EDITOR:

I attended a performance done by the Northside Assembly of God church and I was astounded by the perfectness of the acoustics and pronunciation of the words and the songs. My goodness, you could understand every word spoken. In this day and age, that is an accomplishment. So many times you listen to TV and even the professionals mumble sometimes. Boy I have to hand it to the young man responsible for that performance. They were good. The people of Texarkana who missed the Easter program at Northside really missed a good one. I would almost like to see it again, it was perfect. Braden Dalrimple should be acknowledged.

H.R. McGalliard

Texarkana, Texas