Has America slipped backward to an era when racism ruled?

Has America slipped backward to an era when racism ruled?

I remember asking my mother and father several times in my life what it was like back in the ’50s and early ’60’s when segregation was the word on everyone’s tongue. I asked them if they had friends who were “black” and how they were personally affected by this, and the stories they told me, especially my father standing up for what was right, really hit me. I said to myself, as sad as it seems, “I am glad I didn’t have to live in times like that”

Well, fast forward. I am now in my late 30s, and there are pockets of the world where “white” and “black” are still different, where it’s still the norm to have people of color drink from different fountains and sit in the back of a bus, and though we have a mixed-race president now, I have noticed prejudice is still high after all these years.

The way we are split in two is all over the news, and let’s be truthful, black people are being murdered at high rates and lately, (not all cops are evil by the way), cops and white people are seemingly to blame.

Should I feel shame because I am white? Should I give into the stereotype that all people of color are bad people and need to be “eradicated” and fear them as I walk into a store or down a street? The answer is “no.” I should not fear, and I should not blame myself just because I am white. I am good people, and I don’t speak for an entire race, but if I could apologize, I would so I can say I’m sorry that we are now living in a world I never thought I would ever see like that of our past, one that our parents and grandparents saw, and of the dream from a revolutionary that will never be 100 percent.

All we can do is try to get past our judgmental media exploitation and realize we are all one and lives matter, no matter what color, creed, or sexuality we are. Why can’t we all just imagine the world as a sandbox and we are all just innocent kids without opinion and just get along?

Stop the hating, the bullying, the killing. Remember these days because someday, the kids will come along and ask the same questions I did to my parents. Do you really want them growing up to become what we see in the world today? Think about it.

Melissa Magan, Boardman

Et tu, Portman? Senators’ letter resembles Shakespearean tragedy

This is in reaction to the 47 U.S. Senate signers of a letter, which was sent to Iran during current nuclear negotiations.

United we stand, divided we fall. Divide and conquer. Always present a united front. Surely they have heard but not heeded these words of wisdom.

Why would they present America’s underbelly to the world to contempt, ridicule, and weakness? It seems the unleashed “Senate 47” are present-day players in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” Remember when the soothsayer warns Caesar of his impending death with “Beware, the ides of March.”

Et tu, Sen. Portman?

Norma McBride, Austintown

Value women’s accomplishments

Thank you for informing and reminding us that March is National Women’s History Month in your editorial of March 2.

It cited the demeaning gender stereotypes heaped upon them and cited accomplishments that leave no doubt that they can walk shoulder-to-shoulder with any man in any field of endeavor and surpass him in the domestic sphere.

Approaching my 94th year of contact with them, sharing all life’s hopes, dreams, pain, fears and tears, I accept them unconditionally. But for them we would lack the will, drive and desire to accomplish anything. It would indeed be a dull world without them.

And a very special thanks to Adam for his gift of a rib. Boy! What they did with it has no comparison.

Louis Mamula, Lowellville