Viewpoints
Keep comments in context
By Charles Edwardson
August 31, 2007
Friday PM
Readers of SitNews, it is very insulting being called a bigot
or racist. I agree wholeheartedly.
How much more insulting is it being bigoted against or being
the one targeted by racism or indicating that racist attitudes
either consciously or unconsciously do not exist in a town as
forward thinking as Ketchikan?
Now you guys '"come on now" "how silly" (referring
to past articles by fellow readers.)
To be indignant about being labeled a racist or discriminatory
is a right we all share, as is the right not to be targeted by
such attitudes. I know this is not a race issue it only has the
potential to appear to be one. Especially if you are a member
of a certain group of people that who happen to be singled out,
and who happen to be of the same ethnicity.
As a person of two heritages I am very proud of both, I have
not experienced in any fashion -- except when very young schoolyard
bullies who are now some of my best friends -- any racism in
Ketchikan and it was both ways. We were all guilty at the time
of remarks to each other, as adults we should know better. And
in my adult life no ethnic separations other than good natured
ribbing back and forth, many of my best friends are square heads.
Admit it for a second there; there was a touch of annoyance and
a little feeling of indignation being called a square head especially
by someone who is not one. Most of us know this is all in good
natured friendship. But sometimes it can be hurtful we should
all be careful about what we say.
Positions on issues are fair
game and one's ethnicity should be left were it belongs. An initiative
targeting either intentionally or unintentionally one group of
similar background and ethnicity could be viewed as bigotry.
That is what I was conveying in my prior letters. And segregation
was mentioned in one of my letters, segregation of one group
of businesses is exactly what this initiative is all about, and
backwards was mentioned in my same letter, by limiting the growth
of business related to tourism, and the tax revenue they create,
and the business for all contractors and subcontractors, that
has been created in town and the dozens of families related to
the supporting business around tourism, would be going backwards.
Take my comments in context.
Charles Edwardson
Ketchikan, AK
Received August 30, 2007 -
Published August 31, 2007
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