The Readers' Forum: Wednesday letters

Skateboarding

On Feb. 15, I decided to take advantage of the weather and get a little exercise, so I jumped on my skateboard and headed downtown to get a cup of coffee. While downtown, I was almost hit by a few bicyclists in yellow spandex riding down the sidewalk. On Trade Street, a police officer informed me politely that "skateboarding was not allowed downtown." I apologized and walked home with my money unspent.

I'm 27 years old, pay my taxes and am a military veteran. I attend a local university where I make straight A's. I do not drink, do drugs or smoke. I am an upstanding responsible adult and citizen. This is why it disturbs me that I am not allowed to responsibly skateboard to get around downtown. If I were destroying property, putting people in danger or engaging in reckless behavior, I would understand why I would be asked to stop skateboarding. I was, however, being responsible.

The police officer was just doing his job by enforcing local ordinances. I do not blame him. I am, however, disappointed that I live in a city that would trust me to carry a concealed firearm, with the proper paperwork, but doesn't trust me when skateboarding. Because of this ordinance, I will no longer contribute to a downtown economy in a city that will not treat me like a responsible adult.

I hope in the future the city won't be prejudicial against people who ride on four wheels instead of two.

BRANDON HOLGERSEN

Winston Salem

Wake diversity

I applaud the decision of the administration at Wake Forest University to serve all students, regardless of their chosen faith, by continuing the contract of Imam Khalid Griggs as an assistant chaplain ("Imam says he's had warm reception at WFU," Feb. 13). As an institution of higher learning competing for students internationally, it's pragmatic and ideal to have chaplains on campus who can assist students in their religious journeys as they pursue the benefits of higher education.

There are approximately 1 billion Muslims worldwide, and Wake Forest has positioned its prestigious institution in a strategic beneficial position by having an imam available to serve the spiritual needs of these students. Congratulations, Wake Forest.

FLEMING A. EL-AMIN

Winston-Salem

A woman's right

Birth control and abortion are not the same thing. This is the way it works: If we have Planned Parenthood and birth control is available to all women, especially poor women, then we don't have unwanted pregnancies. If we don't have unwanted pregnancies, then we don't have abortion. Get it?

Now, all the politicians and religious leaders (mostly men) who oppose supporting Planned Parenthood and birth control need to get with the program, because the handwriting is on the wall. This is about every woman's right to make a decision on whether she wants to have a child or not. And that right should not be taken away from her. Get my point?

GLENDA SOUTHWORTH

Lewisville

Working for a solution

Whitney Houston is dead, and it is sad. The loss of life always is to those touched by it.

The fascination surrounding her struggles with addiction baffles me when you look at the inaction of our communities in helping those touched by addiction each day. If every person who posted to Facebook about her death or watched her funeral worked for a solution to addiction or the effects of it, this world would be a better place.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says that one in 10 children live in a family with an alcoholic parent. With 24.4 percent of Forsyth County residents being under the age of 18, the statistic indicates that there are around 8,500 children affected by their parents drinking.

Shockingly, this statistic is only regarding alcoholic parents, it doesn't account for those children who have a sibling, grandparent or friend struggling. And it doesn't mention the number affected by prescription pills or illegal substances.

What are we as a community doing to help these children? What are we doing to affect change in the families we touch?

KATIE BOND FORD

Winston-Salem