Black people are walking on eggshells right now. Police need a ‘come to Jesus meeting.’

By Staff

Updated August 28, 2020 3:01 PM

Walter Carter, 74, of Gainesville, Fla., holds up a sign near the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 2020. He’s one of 50,000 people expected to attend a weekend march calling for police reform. The event is dubbed the “Get Your Knees Off Our Necks” March and marks the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Jacquelyn Martin AP

Weed out officers not fit for duty

Gone are the days when police offers were respected by most African-Americans. Now, we walk on eggshells and live in fear of being pulled over.

It is time for the bad to be weeded out of the system. In every race and occupation, there is a small group that crosses the line and makes all look bad. It has reached a point where the brotherhood of law enforcement needs a “come to Jesus meeting.”

I do not have the answers, but I do have suggestions. If you see one of your own who is not fit for duty, you should not be afraid to report them. Perhaps they need to go back to the academy and start over from Day One.

Stephanie Owens, Charlotte

What we’re asking of police is unrealistic

Regarding “Charlotte officials divided on police video of protest,” (Aug. 28):

I appreciate Charlotte City Council member Ed Driggs speaking to the importance of our police and validating that they are a necessary and appreciated part of Charlotte.

We’re all in the middle of one of the most tenuous times in our life and we’re asking our police force to be perfect in the face of all this change. That’s an unrealistic ask. We have to only look to Portland to see what a slippery slope unconstrained rioting can result in.

We have to jail the rioters and separate them from the protesters who live in Charlotte, protest peacefully, and do so in a responsible and civil manner.

Trigg Cherry, Charlotte

What CMPD did shouldn’t be tolerated

The appalling video from a CMPD officer’s video-cam brings shame on our police department and city.

This combative approach to our Constitutional right of peaceful assembly should not be tolerated.

It is one thing to anticipate violence and be prepared. It is quite another to have what appears to be a planned foray, as if we were fighting a foreign or domestic enemy that is armed or committing mob violence.

To see and hear our police coordinating an attack with tear gas is inhumane. It only serves to solidify those who are protesting their treatment at the hands of police and those constantly threatened with arrest or murder caused by racial profiling.

Eileen Paroff, Charlotte

Chaos that we see is Trump created

Kellyanne Conway says the more chaos, vandalism and violence we have, the better it is for Trump’s re-election. That sentiment was echoed by Trump and others speaking at the Republican Convention. They talked about how Trump would be a great law and order president. You’d think they don’t realize he is the president. It’s under his watch that we’ve witnessed things in our country get progressively more chaotic and violent.

Why would anyone believe it will miraculously get better if he is given four more years? He’s had his chance to make America great again, and he blew it.

Dianne Mason, Matthews

It’s crucial for Biden to debate Trump

Nancy Pelosi does not want Joe Biden to debate with President Trump. (Aug. 27) Biden did not demonstrate an image of strength in the Democratic primary debates.

He must debate and prove to me that he can function under fire to be worthy of this demanding job. Donald Trump has more than proven his abilities to handle the pressure.

Ron Harnach, Charlotte

What if Forest had been governor?

I’ve heard radio ads from Lt. Gov. Dan Forest attacking Gov. Roy Cooper over his COVID-19 response. So, I took a look at the state of Georgia, a state with a Republican governor and very similar population of just over 10 million people.

The Georgia governor and Dan Forest have spoken in similar tones about COVID. Based on Forests’ comments, it appears North Carolina under Forest would have been open for business and masks would be optional at best.

As of Tuesday, North Carolina had 157,741 COVID cases and 2,570 deaths. Georgia had 256,253 cases and 5,156 deaths. That is 98,512 more cases and 2,586 deaths.

I’m wondering if under a Forest administration those are acceptable numbers?

LeRoy Moyer, Charlotte

I fear my small business will fail

As a travel agent who has dedicated 30 years to the trade, I have never before seen such a dramatic and threatening situation to my industry.

My small business has survived multiple recessions and even through the War on Terror, but now I’m afraid that I will be a part of the 70% of travel agencies that will not survive this pandemic. Hotels, cruise lines and airlines all hinge on comprehensive travel resources that we provide.

Our survival hinges on the next relief bill, yet our politicians have been twiddling their thumbs as the next stimulus bill sits in a deadlock. My message to our senators and representatives is simple: Help and protect the people you represent.

Susan Talbot, Huntersville

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This story was originally published August 28, 2020 at 2:54 PM.