What you’re saying: Terry McCann, Gary Pellom and Roger Reed | Raleigh News & Observer

Don’t label Republicans

Ms. M.J. Pearl of Durham wrote a piece in the May 10 Durham News about a time when she was assisted by a young man who helped her with her groceries. It is indeed kind and refreshing that people take time today to assist our seasoned citizens.

It was indeed more refreshing that the young man that helped Ms. Pearl was African-American; Ms. Pearl is white. As I continued to read the article I was overjoyed UNTIL Ms. Pearl stated, “I’m disgusted with the hatred, bigotry and racism that personify the Republican-led legislature. If we could get those lawmakers out of the way, I’m sure everyone in North Carolina could get along just fine.”

Republicans – racist? This is not true.

There is good and bad in all groups, but to label a group as racist is wrong. I do not label Democrats are racist although I am sure some are. I do not label white people or black people racist, although I know some are.

Being both African-American and a registered conservative REPUBLICAN I take offense at what was expressed in Ms. Pearl’s piece. Some elements of the media, the Moral Monday movement, and some of our so called black leaders (some of whom say black people cannot be racist) demagogue Republicans as bigots and racists, and that is from the truth. I attended the GOP convention in Greensboro May 6-8 and could not have been more proud of ALL my brothers and sisters in attendance.

A more helpful protest

The artists, performers and businesses who have canceled North Carolina appearances in protest of House Bill 2 are missing the point. If they want to effect change, the most powerful weapon they have is money.

Those who have canceled should have instead pledged the profits of their activities in support of political candidates who oppose the legislation. This issue isn’t going to be resolved in the near future, but it can eventually be settled at the ballot box.

Boooo on Bulls

Regarding the April 22 news article “Bulls’ Peanut Guy gets axed”:

My family loves the Durham Bulls. We love going to games. We sit on the wall in section 118 right in front of the bullpen warmup mound. We’ve been mini-plan holders since we moved back.

We love going to the ballpark. But a rather significant part of our experience has been taken away.

My kids look forward to seeing “the peanut guy” at each game. He was just as big a part of the experience as the Crash/Nuke/Annie races, the T-shirt-shooting hot dog gun and the sumo wrestling fans.

We bought peanuts only from him. We mimicked his “PEAAAAANUTS” to get his attention to purchase. My son followed him through the stadium one particular chilly, sparsely attended night in a train of at least 30 kids chanting in a call and response.

I do not profess to know all the details or the economics of the situation. I do not know how many stuck-up fans complained about hearing “PEAAAAANUTS” during the game.

I do not know if a lot of thought or no thought was put into this decision to let Da’Quan Samuel go, but I do know it was the wrong decision. A rather significant part of our experience has been taken away.