Charleston resident lists 10 actions needed to address crisis of violence in policing
Stop the violence
In the wake of yet another murder of an unarmed Black man by police officers, we must ask ourselves why a law enforcement stop involving a Black person can turn deadly. Add Tyre Nichols’ name to the list of unarmed persons of color killed by law enforcement officers after a stop.
Black people are often perceived by police officers as an immediate threat. Even Black police officers are not immune to bias against Black people.
Black people fear police officer encounters. We watched Walter Scott, being shot in the back and the agonizing, 9 minute 29 second asphyxiation of George Floyd.
A Black person’s justified reaction during a law enforcement encounter can be perceived as threatening, which can cause an escalation of events that end in death.
To address this crisis, we need to:
1. Diversify police departments.
2. Incentivize law enforcement officers living in the communities they serve.
3. Screen for racial biases.
4. Make bias training mandatory.
5. Require de-escalation training.
6. Politicians––draft police reform legislation.
7. Conduct audits.
8. Decriminalize petty crimes.
9. Invest in communities over militaristic-style policing.
10. Hold police officers and departments accountable.
Alesia Flores, Charleston
Depart in peace
It is no secret the United Methodist Church is splitting on the issue of homosexuality. Some local churches soon will be voting to leave the denomination, and I truly wish them well.
What I can’t abide, however, is the propaganda campaign launched against the UMC in order to push this agenda. Such statements stating that the UMC will be disavowing the divinity and resurrection of Christ are categorically false. Those beliefs are bed-rocked in the doctrinal standards of the Methodist Church.
The UMC Book of Discipline, however, is revised every four years. In 1972, a resolution was passed adding the wording, “Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth.” Additional wording was added, by way of compromise, to state that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.
Since the majority of United Methodists no longer believe that subsequent statement to be true, the wording will be removed, and homosexual Christians will have the same rights as heterosexuals within the UMC.
All United Methodists can continue to maintain their individual beliefs regarding interpretation of scripture, and we can finally live up to our promise of “Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors.”
Sidney Gatch, Lexington
Public no more?
Our State House and grounds were closed last week as part of security measures for former president Donald Trump’s campaign visit. Further reporting indicates the meeting held with the former president was closed to the public.
As a citizen of this state, I think that it is wrong to use “the people’s” State House, with security provided by public law enforcement, at taxpayer expense, so a candidate for elective office can have a private meeting with a partisan constituency.
I am registering my strongest possible complaint to what I view as a totally inappropriate use of our State House and grounds.
Wesley Kennedy Jr., Elgin
Drug needed
In 2019, I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer’s. With the development of a medicine that can affect the course of the disease, I hope that more people will benefit from this progression of treatment. I do not want anyone else to have to go through losing a grandparent to this terrible disease.
In January 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lecanemab, now known as Leqembi. But because of a decision by the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), Medicare will not cover this treatment.
People who are living with Alzheimer’s and their doctors should be able to decide if an FDA-approved treatment is right for them and should have it covered by Medicare. Everyone living with Alzheimer’s deserves better, and we need support from Congress.
Please join me in asking your representatives and senators to urge CMS to take action to ensure individuals living with Alzheimer’s have equitable access to FDA-approved treatments.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s, visit alzimpact.org.
Camryn Hipp, Greer
