The Readers' Forum: Monday letters

Showing racism

I would like to thank the "Sum It Up" contributor who clearly showed the racism inherent in much of the so-called "birther" movement. She responded negatively to the question "Since President Obama released the long form of his birth certificate Wednesday, are you satisfied that he was born in the United States?" Then she goes on to express her beliefs that a majority of African-Americans, whom she refers to as "the blacks," voted for the president simply because of the color of his skin and that many successful African-Americans have achieved their success due to affirmative action.

As to her first assertion, I strongly believe a majority of African-Americans would not vote for candidates such as Alan Keyes or Herman Cain even though they too are black. As to her second assertion, my experience is that a majority of successful African-Americans achieved their success the same way most Americans have — through hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Ultimately, I have to ask what these issues have to do with the president's birthplace. She seems to think they are somehow linked. All I see are prejudicial sentiments which have nothing to do with the question being asked. And no, I am not one of "the blacks."

REV. RON LAROCQUE

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH

WINSTON-SALEM

Sweeping down the plain

"Everything's Up to Date in Winston-Salem!" The UNC School of the Arts has gone about as "fer" as it can go to bring our city top-notch entertainment at a very reasonable cost, with their latest performance, "Oklahoma!" Music, dance and costumes are all outstanding. The city is blessed to have this magnificent talent in our midst. Encore and congratulations to John Mauceri and company on a job well done!

SHEILA HICKS

LEWISVILLE

Wonderful service

I understand that Rick and Cathy Stone have given up their Journal paper route in the Walnut Cove, Germanton, Stokes County area. As a customer on their route, I offer them a heartfelt thanks for their years of wonderful service.

They always delivered the paper early in the morning whether it rained, snowed or sleeted. I have been a customer of the Journal for many years and have never experienced their level of service from anyone else.

They will be missed by those of us on their route.

KAY HAUSER

GERMANTON

Charter questions

Regarding your very informative report on the Quality Education Academy, there is a need to publish the credentials of all our charter schools. They are fully supported by our taxes but are not required to follow all state and county regulations.

I'm sure you are aware of the concerns of many citizens of N.C. about how our schools deal with the shortage of funds for education. Art Pope and his Civitas organization have jumped in to offer their suggestions and "help" in dealing with the problem. Their plan, as I understand it, is to champion ever more charter schools (with less regulation and oversight) to do the job.

This QEA is an example to us all. It seems that the only body looking into their academics is the NCAA! I want to know how this school has a 100 percent graduation rate and has earned an Honor School of Excellence designation by the state, and yet had a graduate "released" by St. John's University. What are its unregulated criteria for student achievement and graduation? Citizens of our state need to know.

MARTHA KENNEDY

WINSTON-SALEM

Just the facts

The writer of the ironically titled letter "Simple Truths" (May 1) contends that abortion must be kept legal because history shows that "before abortion was safe and legal, many women died trying to keep their lives from being ruined."

Unfortunately, the writer is simply wrong, because she is relying on canards rather than facts. "Many" women did not die of illegal abortions before the Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion in 1973. Instead, according to the CDC's Abortion Surveillance report, 39 women died from illegal abortions the prior year — fewer than one woman per state per year. (Interestingly, 24 died by legal abortion.)

To the writer, I offer an old cliché: "Madam, you are entitled to your own opinions, but not to your own facts."

JOE MUSTER

CLEMMONS