12/20 Letters: Deals like that on Silent Sam are what happens when boards lack diversity

UNC, Silent Sam

I was the first African-American from Charlotte to graduate from UNC Chapel Hill (1962-65) when the university did not want us there. We had professors tell us we should transfer to what’s now NCCU, that we didn’t belong, and that the best grade we would get would be a “D.”

It may have been reasonable in 1913 to erect the Silent Sam statue, when the only African-Americans there were cooks and cleaners, but it should have been removed when the school was integrated.

This decision by the UNC Board of Governors is what happens when decisions are made by all “too white” boards.

My will includes money for a possible scholarship at UNC. I contribute annually to the endowment campaign and another scholarship fund. If this settlement stands, I’ll transfer my donations to Duke Med and NCCU and discontinue my UNC support.

Dr. Eddie L. Hoover, Charlotte

The $2.5 million

Regarding Our View “Silent Sam deals need official review,” (Dec. 19 Editorial) and related articles:

If the Sons of Confederate Veterans has widespread support for moving and housing the Silent Sam statue, I would expect they could raise the funds themselves and the $2.5 million could be put to better use to benefit UNC students.

Janet Pecci, Raleigh

The GOP cover-up

Let’s be clear: To yell, “You don’t like Trump” does not contradict the evidence that the president withheld foreign aid in exchange for a favor.

To say he was elected by 63 million voters does not refute the evidence that he sought and/or accepted help from Russia, Ukraine and China.

To say the president has an absolute right to fire anyone at any time, therefore cannot abuse his power, is ridiculous.

Americans must ask themselves: Are these the Republicans we want as leaders? Why are they insulting our intelligence?

A better defense would have been to say: Yes, President Trump did these things and much more. However, his actions do not justify impeachment and removal. Maybe that would have won the argument, maybe not. But at least they would not be complicit in the cover-up.

Lawrence Smalls Sr., Whitsett

Impeachment sham

Why in the world are we wasting so much time and taxpayer money on this impeachment sham? Everyone knows the outcome in the Senate, so let’s get on with what is good for the country. The Democrats should be impeached for obstructing the work of Congress.

Buddy Holeman, Wake Forest

A lawmaker’s duty

Ask not what you can do to defend this president and his political party. Ask what you can do to defend the Constitution, as well as the principles and the ideals of democracy on which this nation was founded.

Blair Tharrington, Raleigh

Affordable housing

Regarding “Microsoft plans 500 new jobs in Morrisville after landing incentives from the state,” (Dec. 18):

Our leaders need to get on the same page on incentives and affordable housing.

The N&O notes that $14.8 million in incentives were provided to Microsoft to expand in Morrisville. Such incentives only exacerbate the affordable housing problem.

Although incentives may be needed for rural areas, they are not needed for urban areas with high growth. Some considerations: Place a 5-year moratorium on incentives for Wake County. Use the money currently used for incentives to address affordable housing.

Companies such as Microsoft certainly do not need taxpayers’ money. Maybe such companies will feel some remorse and be willing to provide community grants to address affordable housing.

Alan Tharp, Raleigh

NC migration

The series on adverse effects of population decline in northeastern counties of North Carolina illustrates negative effects of migration.

However, the migrants have received much greater benefits themselves, and they have contributed to the prosperity of others by moving to places where they are more productive than where they started.

The recent migration in North Carolina is part of long series of migrations that have contributed to economic growth in the United States. After World War II, there was a major movement of people from the South to the North, including some who were fleeing Jim Crow laws. In recent decades there has been a large migration from the Rustbelt of the north to the Sunbelt of the South and West. In addition to the domestic migration, there has been a large migration to North Carolina from Latin America and all over the world.

As long as innovations occur in different locations, ambitious people will migrate.

Thomas Grennes

Economics professor emeritus, NCSU