UNC alumna: The Tar Heel name shows strength, fortitude and should not be changed

Tar Heel name should not change

Regarding “Does UNC’s ‘Tar Heels’ name celebrate the Confederacy? Some think it’s time for change,” (July 14):

History tells us workers’ heels became black in the mid-nineteenth century while working to produce waterproofing materials such as rosin and tar. To me, it is not a racist epithet. When the soldiers from North Carolina were called Tar Heels, it was a compliment to their fighting ability, not to bigotry.

As a UNC alumna, when I cheer for my Tar Heel teams I look for those same qualities of tenacity and fortitude.

Could we please have a little tolerance and common sense here?

Mary Jane Edwards, Asheville

Mark Harris left a stain on NC

Regarding “Mark Harris won’t face state charges in NC 9th District ballot fraud case,” (July 15):

No amount of Mark Harris’ alligator tears or cries for forgiveness can ever wipe away the stain of cheating and fraud left on our state. His own son had to be the one to force him under oath to finally cave to the truth.

If you have to cheat to win, get out of the race. You probably should get out of religion too.

Shame on Harris and those who let him off.

Sandra Holyfield, Charlotte

US lacks a national plan to combat virus

Imagine we just started building the interstate highway system using the same approach we are to defeating COVID-19. It would be a haphazard, uncoordinated spaghetti bowl of roads that wouldn’t connect at state borders. It would have completely different regulations as you drove through each city, county and state. Critical building materials would be in the wrong place. There would be shortages of concrete. Signage would vary by state. It would suffer from cost overruns.

It would be a disaster. We need a national plan, coordination and factual information to defeat COVID. Also, a leader willing and capable of leading it and people willing to listen.

Lee Fluke, Charlotte

Alcohol sales cutoff makes no sense

Regarding “City, some towns plan to ban late alcohol sales to slow virus,” (July 16):

What am I missing? Does the coronavirus only start infecting people at 10 p.m.? Or 11 p.m. in South Carolina? Do patrons only start acting irresponsible at those times?

Holly Saftner, Charlotte

Create a museum for monuments

Many citizens feel that Confederate monuments should not be in the public square, but that they should not be destroyed. They are part of our history. Why not create, or rename, a public area as a “Heritage Park” with not only the Confederate monuments but with other monuments of local importance in the order of the events they commemorate. It would serve as an outdoor history museum.

Charles Williams, Statesville

Systemic change is a long game

“Reimagine” is the heinous buzzword of the hour. Defunding is its uglier cousin. Reimagine policing! Education. Health care. Transportation. Go ahead, add your personal favorite flawed topic to the list.

The reimagine/defunding bandwagon is overloaded with thoughtless lemmings headed toward the proverbial cliff. Its proponents are focused on radical short-term change devoid of critical thinking. Transformation done correctly is a long game. Can we reimagine the rush to reimagine and defund before it is too late?

Ken May, Charlotte

Political conventions are a waste of money

As my mama used to say, be careful what you wish for. I am sure folks in Jacksonville, Fla., are wishing they did not have the Republican National Convention coming to their city.

Some residents and local business owners are suing the RNC to have a scaled down version. But will President Trump go along with that?

In this day and age, national conventions are a waste of money. The candidate has already been selected. A small group could write the platform and the nominee could announce his running mate and deliver his speech in numerous ways. I’m sure media outlets would broadcast the live speeches of the Republican and Democratic nominees.

Augie Beasley, Charlotte

Wish there were no litter to pick up

Regarding “Charlotte man spends each weekend cleaning up litter,” (July 16):

Kudos to Paul Neumann picking up trash in South End on weekends. It’s a great exercise, but too bad he can’t just run on streets without seeing litter everywhere. When my grandsons were young, we walked the neighborhood carrying bags and for each piece of trash they picked up, I’d give them a penny. It’s my fond hope that now, as teenagers, they do that without financial reward.

Felicia Lee, Charlotte