Comment made on CMS field trip was not a racial slur
I picked cotton, and I see no racial slur
In response to “Farm guide’s ‘cotton pickers’ reference called a racial slur” (Oct. 17):
Volunteers at Thomasboro Academy and CMS personnel who found the phrase “You’re not here to pick cotton” to be demoralizing need to go back to their history books.
I am white, college educated, and proud to have picked cotton as a youngster in Alabama in the 1940s. My father was a geologist working on a rural mine.
My friends were children of sharecroppers. We were all poor and picked cotton for extra cash.
Later as vice president of Gulf Oil in Pittsburgh, I learned that the company’s assistant treasurer, who had an MBA from Harvard, also picked cotton growing up in Alabama.
Only an elitist or one looking for offense would find a racial slur in the honest labor of a cotton field or pumpkin patch.
Jack H. Morris, Belmont
My vote isn’t based on duties alone
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In response to “Our picks for Mecklenburg County races” (Oct. 17 Editorial):
If I were voting for a bureaucrat I might take your editorial seriously, but I’m voting for a person of character to represent me in my local government. Knowing the candidate’s stance on social issues beyond the scope of their duties as a commissioner lets me feel comfortable that I have voted for the right person.
Bonnie Likens, Charlotte
Fed up with McCready and Harris
I’m really tired of the Harris/McCready campaign commercials.
Mark Harris sounds like a typical Trump-er who doesn’t mind lying, having disdain for women, taking credit for things he’s not responsible for, and making promises he can’t keep.
Dan McCready sounds like he wants to play the middle while promising the Trump-ers that he will negate Nancy Pelosi, and in general placate the conservatives who might be turned off by Harris’ “servant lover” claim.
I wouldn’t vote for either one.
Rod Skaggs, Claremont
I blame Democrats on Social Security
Dan McCready has been critical of Mark Harris for supporting a plan that would cut Social Security benefits.
Who was the president who took the lock off the Social Security trust fund? It was not a Republican. It was Lyndon B. Johnson, a Democrat.
Had that not happened, the amount of money in the trust fund might be an amount we would not be able to calculate.
Jim DuRocher, Huntersville
Refugees pay taxes, so should the rich
In response to “Documents: Kushner paid almost no federal taxes for years” (Oct. 14) and related articles:
On paying taxes...
Some people pay US taxes even if they are not US citizens. A 2017 report from the Department of Health and Human Services estimated that between 2005-2014 refugees in the US contributed more than $269 billion in federal, state and local taxes – far more than they received in services.
Judith Sielaff, Charlotte
When CMS plays games we all lose
In response to “Secret meetings, late changes behind CMS board response to town charters” (Oct. 14):
The battle between the CMS board and neighboring communities over boundaries, assignments and new school funding reminds me of a playground argument.
When kids play games and can’t agree the aggrieved party “takes their ball and goes home.”
Secret cliques with hidden agendas may win the first skirmish, but they soon find out no one will play with them.
The CMS board should know you can’t easily put toothpaste back in the tube and when you sneak attack, expect forceful retaliation.
If the suburbs take their ball (money) and go it alone, everyone loses.
Shame on both sides for bullying and not learning how to play nice together. Fix this!
Ken May, Charlotte
Lake Wylie isn’t a giant disposal
With all the rain we have had lately, it is natural for debris to collect on the shoreline of our beautiful lakes. Because there are thoughtless litterbugs, we can also expect a certain amount of cans, bottles, worm containers, etc.
However, what is most troubling is contractors who throw pieces of planking left over from building docks and piers into our lakes – like the lake is a giant disposal!
All of this debris ends up on someone’s shore along with the cans, bottles, worm containers, etc. Please, neighbors and fishermen, think about what you are doing!
Fran Hall, Lake Wylie