People of faith have a duty to help address inequities in Charlotte

We have a duty to help least among us

In response to “How Charlotte should respond to the protests” (Oct. 6 Observer Editorial):

I am hoping this editorial contained a typo in these sentences: “Some will resist. They will ask why their families should sacrifice to help solve the problems of others. It’s not an unreasonable question.”

It most certainly is an unreasonable question!

Who would be saying such a thing? Surely not the regular worshipers who fill churches, synagogues and mosques every week.

The premise of their faiths is charity toward others, especially the least among us.

Maybe we should be putting Carrie Banwell’s well-written suggestions for inclusion into action. (“After Scott shooting, we must embrace our ‘middle ring’ ,” Oct. 6 Opinion)

That is the very least we faithful folk should do.

Charlotte Miller, Davidson

Charlotte Chamber appears tone-deaf

In response to “To help with Scott crisis, city turns to PR firm based in New York” (Oct. 6):

The Charlotte Chamber employs a New York PR firm to help with Charlotte’s image and goes to Asheville to discuss city problems.

Money spent at the Grove Park Inn will not help Charlotte businesses and employees who have taken a financial loss over the past few weeks.

Maybe Charlotte businesses that are Chamber members will reconsider membership when the annual dues invoices arrive.

The Chamber’s “one-percent” leadership is tone-deaf.

Paul Jones, Charlotte

N.C. that I see is not as rosy as McCrory’s

Gov. Pat McCrory’s commercials speak of a Carolina comeback and four years of progress.

It’s easy to paint a rosy picture if you choose to ignore coal ash, state interference in local governance, sales tax expansion, voter suppression, the weakening of environmental laws, damage to our state’s reputation, and an unending flow of divisive legislation that ultimately ends up in the court system.

Arnie Grieves, Charlotte

It’s local elections that really matter

We as a nation put too much stock in the presidential election and far too little in the local elections that matter.

Our voter turnout in local and midterm elections is pathetically apathetic.

If you are mad, be mad at your congressmen. They have done nothing to help us move forward.

Where is a transportation bill? Where is a bill to improve infrastructure?

Regardless of who wins, we know we are in for four more years of gridlock.

If I were to blame one group, it’s the U.S. House that has wasted eight years trying to strike down Obamacare at the expense of actually accomplishing anything.

Tracy Allen, Charlotte

I saw pressure Wells employee was under

In response to “Wells Fargo’s woes a blow to ex-Wachovia workers 8 years after merger” (Oct. 5):

I banked at the Cornelius First Union branch – later Wachovia, then Wells Fargo – for over 20 years.

There was an employee who was there for that entire time, and she helped me close my account when we moved.

I asked her how she was doing and she melted into tears as she told me about the sales pressure and tactics of management as she was constantly feeling harassed to open more accounts and sell more services.

Her knowledge, loyalty, devotion to service, and winning smile used to be enough, but not anymore. She is no longer working there.

Brad Frazier, Iron Station

Events going to states that support HB2

In response to “ACC moves 2017 baseball tournament to Louisville” (Oct. 4):

More ACC hypocrisy: The Atlantic Coast Conference moved the 2017 baseball championship to Kentucky.

When the federal government sued North Carolina over House Bill 2, Kentucky joined an amicus brief in support of the HB2 law.

Other states on the amicus brief: Arizona, where the NCAA is still going to hold the 2017 Men’s Final Four, and Louisiana, where the NBA moved the All-Star Game.

Michael Schell, Hickory

This story was originally published October 8, 2016 at 5:30 PM with the headline "People of faith have a duty to help address inequities in Charlotte."