The Civil War was much more complicated than today’s racial politicizing of it implies
Statue honors the dead, not the cause
Regarding “Tunnel vision trips UNC system leaders,” (Dec. 1 Editorial):
It is shocking for a Southern newspaper to describe a Confederate monument as a “symbol of insurrection in defense of slavery.”
Professional historians remind us that the Civil War was much more complicated than the contemporary racial politicizing of the past. Many families with relatives who fought in this tragic war appreciate memorials to these courageous men.
Monuments to Union and Confederate troops are appropriate remembrances that honor the sacrifices of the dead.
Americans have always had the decency to honor their soldiers of all wars. What’s next, outrage over WWI and WWII monuments because segregation was practiced in the U.S. military?
Don Fortson, Matthews
Healthy level of mistrust on Trump
Regarding “Dems are misguided, blinded by hate,” (Dec. 1 Forum):
I do not believe that Democrats as a whole are misguided or even blinded by hate. There is however a healthy level of mistrust and frustration by Democrats and others over the Trump administration’s incompetence. Trump’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, referred to our president as a conman. Frustration is spurred by the question so many of us ask ourselves: How did our great democracy end up with a conman in the Oval Office?
Norman Jameson, Charlotte
Stop tearing down affordable housing
I am so sick and tired of hearing the debate about affordable housing. As long as the city allows developers to tear down affordable housing to build new “palaces,” we’ll never solve the problem.
Housing built 30 years ago that has depreciated to $500-$600 per month rent cannot be built new for a profit. Why tear down a $500 a month unit and replace it with a $2,000 a month one?
Seems we are tearing down affordable housing faster than we can build it.
Arthur Selby, Mint Hill
Take a new approach on homelessness?
I moved to Charlotte in 2015 because of how nice, clean and safe the uptown area was. Since then, we’ve seen a significant increase in crime and homelessness.
Las Vegas just banned sleeping on the streets if shelter beds are available. Austin, Texas created a 5-acre encampment with toilets at the edge of downtown where the homeless can pitch tents.
Should Charlotte push back like other cities? Charlotte residents don’t embrace excuses, we embrace solutions.
Patrick Heyne, Charlotte
Glittering bridge reveals a contrast
There is great excitement around design and building of the walkway to connect uptown to South End. (“Rail Trail Bridge is a step closer for South End, uptown,” Nov. 29)
Meanwhile, a friend who works at the bus station encountered a family: husband, wife, three kids, including one in a stroller. They hadn’t eaten in a couple of days. The friend got them snacks from the vending machine. There was no place for them to go and the prospect for more food was dim.
Beautiful, glittering uptown, and there’s no room at the inn for those who have nothing.
Deborah Quick, Charlotte
Willful ignorance on climate change
The United Nations issued a report last week warning that drastic action is the only way to avoid the worst effects of climate change. No one should be surprised: The basic facts have been understood for years.
But the world’s most powerful leaders, in industry and politics, continue to choose a path of willful ignorance.
As a species, we’re like a person diagnosed with a potentially fatal illness. Sometimes, such a diagnosis awakens a powerful love of life that inspires us all: We say, “That person is a fighter. They’ll get through it.” Sometimes they do.
But no one can say that about us as a society. Not yet. There are treatments for our illness, but we decline them as too expensive, too painful. “Impractical”?
Karen Hodges, Charlotte
A thought that I find hard to stomach
Regarding “‘Queen & Slim’: A ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ tale for our time,” (Nov. 29):
If filmmaker Melina Matsoukas is to be heralded a “visionary” for glorifying a couple of cop killers, then please stop the world and let me off. This ride is making me want to vomit.
Michael Domagala, Charlotte