Voice of the People - January 22, 2009
Celebration wasn't confined to blacks
Thank you for the extensive coverage The Herald has given to the inauguration of President Barack Obama. I especially appreciate the printing of President Obama's inaugural address in full so I might keep it for future re-reading and for sharing with my grandchildren.
Although somewhat understandable, I do, however, feel your coverage seemed to indicate that only African-American citizens were personally involved in celebrating. This is not true. Many Americans of all races and cultures found great inspiration and joy in seeing the first African-American become president of the United States. Many of us have spent lifetimes working to promote equality and justice, not just for African-Americans, but for all Americans, and President Obama's presidency was the culmination of years of hopes and dreams that a society in which all people are honored and respected might be closer to reality.
Many of us lived through the years when Jim Crow laws controlled the lives of our neighbors and friends who were "colored"; when our Japanese-American citizens were imprisoned for no reason beyond their origin; when the use of words like "Chink" and "Wop" were common; when Jewish people were called "Christ killers"; when water cannons and dogs ruled the streets and governors stood in doorways; when entire school systems were closed and so-called "Christian" academies taught only those who met the test of color; when real estate brokers routinely "red lined" neighborhoods, and city council members directed street paving and sewer lines to only certain areas; when churches closed their doors or left denominations rather than integrate their congregations; when saying "the poor are always with you" served to justify acceptance of economic injustice; when women endured sexual harassment and unequal pay in the work place without legal recourse.
For those of us who for years lobbied legislators and hometown council members, wrote letters to school boards and editors, marched in parades, talked to employers, pushed religious leaders, worked election campaigns and were often ridiculed and scorned by family, friends and neighbors, this day made our hearts leap with joy and tears of gratitude flow.
We, too, thought of those long gone to whom this day would have meant so much. We, too, cheered and hugged and cried and shouted, "Yes we can."
The election and inauguration of an African-American president is not the end of the struggle. There is much work still to be done, but we have taken a giant step on the road toward a just society. And we are all better for it!
Frances B. Stein
Rock Hill
Smoking bans erode freedom
The Rock Hill smoking ban and York County's proposed ban go too far. Although I personally agree that second-hand smoke is problematic, government control of smoking in a private business is another step toward the loss of individual freedom that is slowly but surely eroding liberty in America.
The government already controls many, many aspects of businesses at no small expense to those businesses. Up to now, many business owners have chosen to be smoke-free because of the adverse effect of second-hand smoke either on their employees, merchandise or public acceptance. This is as it should be. It allows the business owner to conduct his business as he sees fit. Freedom does not work without personal responsibility. When government dictates the choice, you have lost your freedom.
It boils down to the personal responsibility of each individual to make an informed choice as to whether he or she wants to be exposed to second-hand smoke. A person can choose to patronize or not patronize a business that allows smoking.
Marge Wakefield,
Tega Cay
This story was originally published January 22, 2009 at 12:46 AM with the headline "Voice of the People - January 22, 2009."