‘My Old Kentucky Home’ defender says the quiet part out loud on history and racism | Opinion

My Old Kentucky Home

I’d like to thank Jim Hanna for saying the quiet part loud: he thinks the lyrical changes to “My Old Kentucky Home” have “bastardized” (his exact word) the song. Does Mr. Hanna — a quick Google search reveals he is (of course) a white male — long for the “good old days” when he could sing loudly and proudly about “the darkies” in Kentucky?

Putting the many other concerns with the song aside, as an English professor, he certainly knows at least how language evolves over time. I’m sure he also knows how society itself changes, and while perhaps it is not fair to judge our ancestors’ perspectives and language, it is certainly within bounds to correct words that are unquestionably hurtful today — particularly when they are sung in unison by a group of over 100,000 predominantly white people.

The argument is in bad faith, and quite frankly, I’m baffled as to why the Herald-Leader found it prudent to print the perspective of an older white male on an issue that doesn’t remotely affect him. After all, he’s more than free to sing the song — original words and all — as much as he’d like in his own house.

Aaron Kruse-Diehr, Lexington

Hanna got it right

Thank you for publishing Jim Hanna’s thoughtful response to Linda Blackford’s latest out-of-touch and angry tirade. Seems we’ve all become a little too sensitive and quick to criticize these days. Let’s devote more time in looking for things to be proud of and less time making up things to be outraged about. Don’t we have enough of that already? #BeKind

Lynne McNees, Georgetown

Smug

Jim Hanna’s smug op-ed revealed more about his psyche than the song “My Old Kentucky Home.” His self-comforting assignment of “fake morality” to an important social issue does not leave much room for thoughtful discourse about vestiges of white privilege. Hopefully, the next shibboleth dissected by thoughtful Ms. Blackford will be the “humanity” of men like Mr. Hanna, whose evolution apparently stopped in 1850.

Michael Andrews, Winchester

No Parking

With the changes to Lexington Meter enforcement to 9 p.m. and weekends, don’t sleep on the fact that there is not the required ADA (Americans with Disability Act) mandated requirements for parking.

Where is the dignity, empowerment, independence, and inclusion of people with disabilities? In many states, including California, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington D.C., Washington State, Texas, and Massachusetts, disabled placard holders can park in any metered space for free for as long as they want.

It is beyond time for a re-examination of Lexington’s parking lots, street parking and garages. The ADA is over 30 years old; the parking accessibility guidelines have not been changed since 2010.

This was not the intention of the law. This is why other states have adopted much better policy. Lexington and the Parking Authority: it is time to do better. Are you a person with a disability, a veteran, or a senior citizen? Call your council or at-large member (859) 425-2255. The next Parking Authority Board Meeting is June 8, 10 a.m. on the 2nd floor of the County Clerk Building, at 162 East Main Street.

MA Isaac, Lexington

Real “men”

Soon it will be D-Day, June 6. For those of us old enough to remember, it is a day of intense pride, much sadness and concern.

Ask most victims of public “education” just what happened that day in 1944 and, following a blank stare, they will shrug, look up from their phone toy and grunt something that sounds like “dunno.”

For their benefit, we reveal that this is the day when thousands of American men (mostly boys) began the freeing of Europeans from the grips of national socialism (NAZIS). Many brave American men died that day.

Forward to today. The men we held in such esteem have been replaced with something else. The much needed feminist reforms provided women with rights so long denied. But that movement morphed from pro-woman to intense, visceral hatred of anything male.

Media, Hollywood and advertising paint men as weak and designate them to diaper changing, asking women to drive them somewhere and grocery shopping for the family. This type of men is accepted. Others who insist on being real men are shamed as sexist, misogynistic ogres.

So the question is - Could we amass enough “men” to save us from the next Adolph Hitler?

Wayne Burns, Lexington

Gun control

What am I, a regular U.S. citizen, doing about the sickening, horrendous gun violence that pervades our nation? I VOTE for Democratic candidates in primary and general elections who favor banning assault weapons and passing sensible gun control laws.

The Republican Party does absolutely NOTHING about our serious gun violence problems, even though most Americans want an assault weapons ban and some doable gun control laws. Republican legislators at the local, state, and federal levels are preventing needed gun laws from being passed. The only thing that will get the attention of the do-nothing Republican candidates is to vote them out of office in the next election.

Join me and millions of other voters in voting for Democratic candidates who will DO something about our gun violence problems.

Paul L. Whiteley, Sr., Louisville

Property valuation

Kudos to W. R. Torp for his op-ed piece on the methods used by our Property Value Administrator. His examples of newly sold homes being assessed at a higher value than those which haven’t sold in many years but which are comparable is true in my neighborhood.

The problem he describes has huge implications because our community depends on the generated tax revenues to provide the schools our children need to be successful. No one, not even the property owners whose homes have not been reassessed for years, benefits when our children are shortchanged.

I urge the Lexington Herald-Leader to investigate this situation further. I doubt I am the only reader of the Sunday paper who would welcome an in-depth story about the assessment practices of our Property Value Administrator, their efficacies or lack thereof, and the resulting revenue impacts.

Linda Barnes, Lexington

Social in-security

To U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) - I am 69 years old and live in Franklin County. I am writing because there are 635,809 Kentucky retirees who depend on their Social Security checks for their daily substance.

Social Security is not a bargaining chip to be used to satisfy the desires of your rich donors, nor is it an entitlement. It is money many of us worked 30, 40 and even 50 years to receive. This money belongs to us, yet you and the rest of your kind think it belongs to you. It shows how little you think of us.

If you want to cut spending start with your own pocket. Try eliminating all congressional benefits. Eliminate your cushy retirement, your travel and free medical care. Try paying for your own groceries, gas, and utilities. Eliminate your honorariums when you give a speech. Try standing up for justice and the rule of law and punish those who attacked the Capitol with murder in their hearts.

Try being a representative, instead of using retiree’s money to satisfy your donor’s gluttonous appetite.

Damian Beach, Frankfort

Television news

It is sad that nationally, and especially locally, television news has become little more than fear-factor news with a little “feel-goodism” at the end.

News or intelligent local coverage is almost non-existent, as is investigative news. Pathetic, yet sometimes attractive, talking heads think they are super star entertainers. Their conversations and wit are usually pathetic and their laughs are so artificial.

Walter Cronkite would turn over in his grave.

No, he’d dig down further!

Newspaper’s demise has meant a poor alternative and a dip in personnel thus quality. This has further driven news downward as folks reduce prescriptions. This is a serious loss - especially for citizens to have local coverage of local issues and events.

Don Pratt, Lexington

Tina Turner

Following the death of rock star Tina Turner, local news outlets reported that she performed twice in Lexington at Rupp Arena, in 1985 and 2000.

I believe she appeared in Lexington with Ike Turner much earlier than that. I believe she appeared with Ike at The Spider Web nightclub on DeWeese Street in 1959 or 1960.

I don’t know if there is a written record of this appearance, but perhaps there are those still alive who can verify she was in Lexington long before she became an international star.

James B. Todd, Lexington

Beshear’s popularity

I found it interesting that the Herald-Leader added “popular” to the headlines describing Gov. Andy Beshear.

I am not sure who decided he was popular, but running for governor is not a high school popularity contest! He is not popular with the elderly in residential facilities who were abused during COVID when Beshear isolated them from their family & friends. He is not popular with those who had a medical diagnosis but were denied treatment at the time (I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was denied surgical treatment, but could have had my baby removed should I have become pregnant and wanted it removed). He is not popular with the people who lost thousands of dollars in wedding plans because they were not allowed to have the wedding! He is not popular with business owners who suffered severe financial losses, some even losing their business! He is not popular with Christians who were denied their constitutional right to assemble because he said so! And he is not popular with parents whose children could not go to school!

Popular? Says who???

Pat Bullock, Salvisa

Kentucky voting

Well Mrs. Joe Craft, welcome to the glass ceiling under the control of the Kentucky Christian, male dominated, women-loving (tongue in cheek), Bible-thumping and freedom-loving MAGA members. Even though you have traveled to countries some cannot pronounce, they have now put you in your proper place to clean, cook and fetch for your significant other!!! Welcome to the new Kentucky.

Jim Dunn, Burgin

Compiled by Liz Carey