Redistrictiong should not be ‘fouled by partisan politics’

Regarding “Court orders redraw of congressional districts” (Aug. 28): The court clearly understands that the election process has begun and that primary elections have already produced candidates for the November elections. The judges said they were reluctant to let elections take place in congressional districts that courts have twice found violated constitutional standards. This can be a game-changer.

Will the North Carolina legislature change the congressional districts as directed by the federal court, or will it stall for time by appealing to the United States Supreme Court?

Most of us understand that redistricting is an essential requirement linked to the right to vote and to the right of having that vote fully valued. Redistricting is required to ensure fair and equal representation. The process of redistricting should be fair, open, and not fouled by partisan politics.

The federal courts found that North Carolina’s Congressional Redistricting Plan is neither fair nor nonpartisan. The current elected officials shouldn’t choose their voters; the voters should choose the elected officials. I urge the North Carolina General Assembly to comply with the court’s decision immediately.

‘Contextualize’ Sam

Regarding “Board gives UNC leaders deadline to have ‘lawful and lasting’ plan for Silent Sam” (Aug. 29): As someone with some ancestors who fought on both sides of the U.S. Civil War, I believe it’s appropriate to memorialize those who gave their lives in that horrific conflict.

Soldiers fought, often bravely, and we need to honor their sacrifice. I don’t believe it’s appropriate to glorify the Jim Crow era of segregation, racial oppression and brutality that was in full force when Silent Sam was erected on the UNC campus in Chapel Hill in 1913, dedicated via an overtly racist speech by then-UNC-trustee Julian Carr.

For too long, “Silent” Sam has been a loud affront to those whose human rights were trampled during Jim Crow. If recent actions by the North Carolina legislature have made it illegal to move Sam from his prominent pedestal, at least it should be possible to fully contextualize the circumstances under which this monument to our capacity for cruelty and discrimination was erected.

‘American values’

My great grandfather fought for the Union in the Civil War (from Minnesota). His grandson (my father, b.1898) fought in WWI in France, and was a WWII chaplain who visited Hiroshima 30 days after we dropped the bomb there.

Two of my brothers fought in WWII and the third was in the Korean War where our nephew was wounded. Two cousins died in WWII. I chose to resist military service during the Vietnam War while serving in ministry to a Unitarian Universalist church (Whittier, 1966-70) that gave symbolic sanctuary to AWOL servicemen refusing service in Vietnam.

One grandson is now in the National Guard. I was arrested with Dr. King in Selma in 1965 (my father was there too) and served in the Peace Corps (Paraguay, 2014). I was arrested in Thom Tillis’ office opposing undemocratic acts of the NC legislature. I write him weekly about Senate legislation.

My grandchildren include nine people of color and 15 who are white. We passionately support American values that our forebears fought for. Silent Sam never spoke or fought for us. I’m glad he’s gone.

Recognize signs

Regarding “Brother: Victim has history of mental illness” (Aug. 19): I am writing as President of the NAMI Wake County Board of Directors, part of America's largest grassroots mental health organization, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

I empathize with and feel sincere sympathy for the Hall family who is having to publicly share their experience attempting to access care and treatment. I empathize with the Hall family because my husband experienced a similar incident with Durham police.

In a mental health crisis, people are more likely to encounter police than get medical help. Jailing people with mental illness creates huge burdens on families, law enforcement and local budgets, and most importantly the individual in need of medical attention. If individuals do come to the attention of law enforcement, we should create options to divert them to treatment and services – before arrest, after arrest and at all points in the justice system.

NAMI Wake County encourages Wake County leaders to identify mental health as a critical issue and prioritize community resources for mental health. Visit NAMI to learn how to recognize the warning signs of a mental health crisis.