Letters to the editor: Views on California reparations; lying Fox News
Issues with reparations plan
I have not been hesitant to criticize the center-right moderates of the Republican Party when they have remained silent in the face of actions or rhetoric from the right fringe that provide more fodder for division in our country. Think, for example, “stop the steal.”
I can be no less critical then of my fellow citizens on the far left of the Democratic Party with regard to the California and San Francisco proposals for significant financial reparations for the descendants of slavery, ranging from $250,000 to $5 million per eligible citizen. I believe that slavery was truly America’s original sin, and I am committed to efforts of moving forward “towards a more perfect union” in ways that will level the opportunity and quality of life for all. Any thoughtful plan to level the playing field should, however, be a nationally conceived and funded plan and a plan that would unite us in our efforts.
The San Francisco and California plans will, I predict, deepen our divide and forestall or kill any energy towards goals that are actionable by majority consensus for leveling the economic playing field. The far left and far right must stop working in echo chambers where the feedback loop is only similar thinking people. I challenge my far-left citizens to ask a centrist what they think of a reparation plan funded by city and state taxes absent any national agreement or commitment. I think I know what you’ll hear, and it will be in stronger terms than expressed by this centrist.
Robert Fraisse, Newbury Park
Reparations good for everyone
California’s Reparations Task Force provides white people a chance to repair the society built on white supremacy. Even if my ancestors were still in Europe during slavery, they were wearing garments of cotton and smoking tobacco farmed by the enslaved. When my European ancestors came to the U.S., they entered a system built for them. They didn’t just pull up their own bootstraps.
Headlines when another bad apple police officer kills another innocent black person are upsetting because it feels like there’s nothing I, as a white person, can do to fix that system.
The Reparations Task Force offers a solution — repair harm, atonement, apology. When white people’s taxes are used for Black people’s reparations, it’s making amends for white supremacy. This is why reparations are good for white people as well as for our Black neighbors.
Kathi Smith, Ojai
Fox has lied over and over again
Re: Mark Jenkins’ March 14 letter, “First Amendment protects Fox”:
If what is happening on Fox was only a difference of opinion, I would agree with Mr. Jenkins. But it has been proven that Tucker Carlson and his ilk on Fox have lied time and time again. Even Rupert Murdoch has admitted to it. Anyone who watched what enfolded on Jan. 6 could see this was not sightseers peacefully touring the capital. It was appalling. I watched it live and then again with more coverage from cameras showing even more destruction. It sickened me. Anyone who buys into what Carlson says about that day is a fool.
But now it is not a difference of opinion. Members of Congress, the Capitol police and others have been threatened by people who believe his lies. That is where the line should be drawn. Murdoch won’t do anything about it because it’s money in his pocket. Unfortunately, this is what our country has become.
Bonita J. Miller, Camarillo
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: Views on California reparations; lying Fox News
