Letters to the Editor for May 14
Smith column on oppression side-steps race
Mr. Patrick Smith's editorial describing CRT as "too narrow" and his absurd claim that "we all are children of oppressors" is a straw man argument. It is a fictional and exaggerated version of Critical Race Theory (CRT) designed to easily dismiss and argue against while simultaneously making his own argument seem stronger. Its intent is to make CRT seem evil and extremist. He labels CRT as "simplistic, divisive, and myopic."
The straw man he creates is "CVH," or a more complete view of history. Instead of addressing the oppression of institutional or systemic racism, he talks about oppression and ignores race completely. Race is a socially constructed category of identification based on physical characteristics, especially skin color. Racists and racist institutions use the concept of race as a way to sort and stereotype people. This perpetuates racism, making it widespread on both an individual and a systemic level. Mr. Smith's editorial is an attempt to divert attention away from race and to absolve the white race of any responsibility for its actions.
Thomas Ezekiel Witty, III, Springfield
How Judge Judy would handle rezoning requests
Judge Judy: Where you aware what the property was zoned when you purchased it?
Developer: But the person at city said ...
Judge Judy: Sir, WERE YOU aware what the property was zoned when you purchased it?
Developer: But I need to turn a big profit ...
Judge Judy: SIR, WERE YOU AWARE what the property was zoned when you purchased it?
Developer: But I just want to help the neighborhood ...
Judge Judy: SIR, do you REALLY expect me to believe that?
Developer: But the neighbors are being unreasonable ...
Judge Judy: SILENCE!! I have two questions for you. No. 1: Were you aware of what the property was zoned when you purchased it; and No. 2: Are the neighbors in favor of this rezoning?
Developer: But ...
Judge Judy: REQUEST TO REZONE DENIED!!
C. Todd Bassore, Republic
Supreme Court should meet same standard as others
Every judge in America is subject to the following Code of Conduct EXCEPT our Supreme Court judges.
To restore confidence in this critical institution the Supreme Court needs only to agree to be bound by this code and adopt a method of transparent accountability.
Canon 2 of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges calls on judges to avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activies.
Commentary for Canon 2A includes the following: "An appearance of impropriety occurs when reasonable minds, with knowledge of all the relevant circumstances disclosed by a reasonable inquiry, would conclude that the judge’s honesty, integrity, impartiality, temperament, or fitness to serve as a judge is impaired. Public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by irresponsible or improper conduct by judges, including harassment and other inappropriate workplace behavior. A judge must avoid all impropriety and appearance of impropriety. This prohibition applies to both professional and personal conduct. A judge must expect to be the subject of constant public scrutiny and accept freely and willingly restrictions that might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen. Because it is not practicable to list all prohibited acts, the prohibition is necessarily cast in general terms that extend to conduct by judges that is harmful although not specifically mentioned in the Code. Actual improprieties under this standard include violations of law, court rules, or other specific provisions of this Code."
Rick Matz, Springfield
Why we have mass shootings
When shooters such as (Allen, Texas mall shooting suspect Mauricio) Garcia are able to become mass shooters we have no one to blame but ourselves. There should not only be more strict gun laws, but potential mass shooters are showing up in our schools as bullies as well as being disruptive in class.
The answer? Garcia, and others like him, should be forced to participate in in-school support groups so they can not only air their grievances but also discuss what is going on at home. There is no such thing as a bad kid but rather, “bad parents.”
I hope our Springfield school system will realize this and implement a mental health program locally.
Marvin Fremerman, Springfield
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Letters to the Editor for May 14
