Defunding police isn’t the answer. Instead, weed out officers before they cause harm

Defunding police isn’t the answer

What kind of fantasy world are people living in who think that defunding or abolishing their police force would make their world better? Laws are meant to protect everyone, but if there is no way to enforce those laws anarchy rules.

People have the right to protest peacefully but no one has the right to destroy or take what is not theirs. Are there bad police officers? Yes, as there are bad people in every profession. The answer is not to get rid of the whole, but to do better at weeding them out before they harm.

Alice Clark, Indian Land

Focus on eliminating the need for protests

Those who think protesters should turn in the looters to keep their protest valid, should maybe focus on getting the good cops to weed out the bad ones, thus eliminating the need for protests. It’s a lot like the person who says, It’s terrible that an innocent black man was killed, but this looting has to stop.” When the sentiment should really be, “Yes, this looting is terrible, but the killing of innocent black men has to stop!”

Timothy Weeks, Fort Mill

Corporations don’t perpetuate poverty

Regarding “Lip service on inequality falls short” (June 7 Forum):

I disagree that corporations “perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality.”

Without understanding how wages are set, based on the supply of workers and the demand for labor, it feels nice to blame “greedy corporations” for racial injustices in society.

Instead, let’s look at solutions that will impact minority communities in positive ways, like fixing failing public schools and creating incentives for businesses to hire more workers in impoverished communities.

Gabriel Russ, Lincolnton

How leaders could bring us together

Our country is broken and the divide is now a canyon. George Floyd’s death was brutal and wrong. But peaceful protests have been hijacked by rioting and opportunists. Our leaders on both sides can’t seem to miss the opportunity to divide us more.

True leadership seems to be coming from peaceful protesters and good cops — protesters who walk together to demand change and officers who take a knee acknowledging protesters’ right to be outraged.

So, I’d like to ask our president and political leaders to do something to bring us together. Show us it’s not just about you. Please, take a knee.

Donald Stine, Belmont

Here’s how Panthers’ Tepper could help

Regarding “Panthers end ties with CPI Security after CEO’s Floyd remarks,” (June 6):

Panthers owner David Tepper likes to play the role of an activist, so I have a challenge for him. The lack of minority candidates in law enforcement throughout North Carolina and the U.S. is a major problem and has been for many years. If Tepper truly wants change, I challenge him to provide scholarships for minority law enforcement candidates at universities and colleges within North Carolina. Make a statement.

David Ramsey, Mooresville

Anthem protests don’t demean the flag

Please, once and for all stop saying that demonstrating during the national anthem demeans the flag. The flag symbolizes our freedoms — the freedoms our military has fought and died to preserve in many wars. One of these precious freedoms is the right to demonstrate and protest against wrongs such as racial discrimination.

There is no more appropriate time than during the anthem to protest to try to make our country a “more perfect union.” Different from dictatorships, our flag is not just a symbol it stands for an ideal that we continue to strive for.

David Nachamie, Lincolnton

Take a strong stand on Hong Kong

Regarding “US trade stance on Hong Kong is no solution,” (June 8 Opinion):

I was amazed at the view of Lynette Ong regarding our response to China’s oppression of Hong Kong.

She suggests we appease the communists by allowing them to continue their oppression in the hope it will not get worse. Totalitarian governments love that type of thinking.

How many lines in the sand do we draw before finally taking a stand? China has shown its intentions, we must now show ours.

Ralph Wilson, Fort Mill

My way to help keep libraries funded

A lot of joy has returned to Charlotte now that the libraries are beginning to open once again.

Too bad they could not have remained open during this coronavirus pandemic, but hard decisions had to be made. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is not planning to charge any late fees. It has always been considerate of subscribers and will to work with anyone having such an issue.

For the wonderful service the libraries provide and to help keep them funded, why don’t all of us make a voluntary late fee donation to help support this worthy organization?

Bill Murphy, Charlotte

This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 3:28 PM.