Long-awaited International African American Museum in Charleston high mark for state | Opinion
Visit new museum
We just experienced one of the greatest days in our state’s history – June 27, when the opening day of the International African American Museum in Charleston took place.
This fabulous success story began 23 years ago when my lifelong friend Charleston Mayor Joe Riley announced his vision and plan for this museum in his state of the city address.
In my nearly 80 years of life, I have never known a greater leader than Joe Riley.
Everyone in this great state should plan to visit this museum.
As Joe Riley said at the dedication ceremony, “Truth sets us free.”
Joel Collins, Columbia
Grateful for freedom
I thank God for our great country.
We are blessed to live in a place that protects our natural rights and allows us the freedom to live out our faith publicly. This freedom is not guaranteed around the rest of the world, and we must never take that for granted.
We have the responsibility to uphold the freedom gained for us by others who have gone before us.
We read in the book of Galatians, “You brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love” (Gal 5: 13-14).
Freedom is not possible without love.
Today, think of one way you can restore freedom and peace in your own home and personal life. Start with something small, perhaps offering a few moments for an unspoken act of charity for another, and watch as your life and our culture are transformed.
Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, Charleston
Alligator charge?
I have to take issue with the phrase “charged by an alligator” as reported about the most recent South Carolina coastal attack.
If the alligator were intent on attacking you, it would succeed.
What I see is an animal trying to eat what has been thrown in its face such as fishing bait.
Same goes for sharks.
I’m tired of animals being killed in reaction to less than intelligent human behavior.
I’ve lived an active, outdoor life here for more than 50 years with zero negative animal interactions, including snakes.
I vote for common sense.
Lyn Taylor, Bluffton
Honoring our troops
Former President Trump never grasped the honor and patriotism that inspired men and women to enter military service and to serve with pride and distinction to defend our nation.
Testament to his lack of understanding are the incendiary and disparaging comments made throughout this presidency: military cemeteries were filled with losers; of service men and women, he asked what’s in it for them.
Contrast this egregious and unforgivable lack of understanding of pride in our armed services with the approach of President Biden.
First Lady Jill Biden recently visited Parris Island to congratulate graduating Marine Corps recruits and to recognize the 50th anniversary of America’s all volunteer fighting force.
Quoting President Biden from a statement made in 2021, she said, “We have an all-volunteer force – and it continues only because generations of Americans see the honor, dignity and patriotism of military service.”
What soul-reviving respect for the skill and integrity for our military from the commander in chief.
Wanda D. Lane, Bluffton
Reform the court
Our fundamental freedoms are being attacked by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The partisan conservative majority on the bench gutted voting rights, opened the floodgates to unlimited corporate money in our elections, struck down gun safety laws, and limited the government’s ability to protect our air and water.
In the year since they overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion has been effectively banned (with extremely limited exceptions) in 14 states, leaving nearly 1 in 3 Americans without access to abortion care.
This can’t go on. We need to move away from these types of extremely partisan rulings and restore the legitimacy of the court.
Congress has a constitutional duty to act as a check on the Supreme Court and restore faith in our judicial system.
It’s time they act before it’s too late.
Kenneth Williams, Beaufort
Not my values
As a 76-year-old combat veteran, I never thought our country would restrict voting, learning, health care.
Those are not the values I fought for.
Richard Blaney, Columbia
