Police reform won’t be enough. The entire criminal justice system must be reformed.

Justice reform

Over the past 25 years I’ve served as a consultant in cases involving police and have testified numerous times in federal court.

The problem is not just in police departments that fail to deal with racist cops who use deadly force unnecessarily and with impunity. We must face the fact that our federal courts give too much protection to the police.

We, as a nation, must deal with racism in our jury system as white citizens serving on juries seem unwilling to hold white police officers accountable when they use deadly force unnecessarily against Black men.

The shooting of Black men by white officers needs to stop. But, it won’t stop until our entire criminal justice system is reformed. Blaming the police for the unnecessary violence and demanding change in the way police operate won’t be enough. It is time that we had the political will to address the way our criminal justice system is failing us all. It’s past time to make sure that equal protection under the law applies to Black people too.

Melvin L. Tucker, Raleigh

Confederate names

Regarding “Where do we stop?” (June 12 Forum), we stop when they’re all gone from places of veneration. The Confederacy took up arms against the government of the United States and in support of the continuation and expansion of the enslavement of people. Most of these monuments and installation names were placed during the Jim Crow era to terrify and solidify the message, yet again. Any display of these monuments or reference to these people belongs in an historic context with truthful history to explain it.

Paul T. Caldwell, Durham

The Civil War

Regarding “How NC Army base came to be named for Bragg. And why a scholar says it’s time to change,” (June 15):

Maybe there’s more to recognizing the impact of the Civil War on the U.S. Army than the names of a few installations. During World War II, the Army had tanks named after Union and Confederate leaders. Numerous Army National Guard units proudly carry battle streamers on their organizational colors recognizing service during the Civil War. Units in the states of the Old Confederacy carry streamers commemorating Confederate service. I don’t think the examples of the tanks or battle streamers show any kind of celebration of white supremacy or slavery.

The names of installations, tanks, and battle recognition simply reminds us that the Civil War was the single biggest event in American history prior to World War II and deserves to be remembered.

Floyd G. Whitney, Chapel Hill

UNC athletics

Regarding “UNC athletics are built on racial inequality,” (June 15 Opinion):

The whiteness of the UNC athletics administration is truly stunning. All 26 varsity head coaches? The athletic director and all four directors of academic support? Six of six staff in the compliance department? And this when the majority of student-athletes in football and basketball — who make millions for their universities — earn nothing besides a scholarship. The figures are not much different at Duke or N.C. State. There are many well-intentioned and hard-working people in our athletics departments. But the lack of diversity in the positions of power is scandalous. We have so much work to do.

Orin Starn

Duke Department of Cultural Anthropology

Bubba Cunningham

The op-ed by John and the Rev. Marcia Shoop launched an astonishing attack on UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham. They blamed him, and indirectly UNC, for perpetuating systemic racism, white supremacy and wealth inequality. How could any athletic director with multiple bosses solely be guilty of so many evil transgressions? Answer: He can’t. The names/images/likeness (NIL) legislation is complex, contentious and highly debatable. Honest legitimate discussion is warranted and disagreement is expected. The Shoop charges are unfounded. Charges like this are not appropriate to today’s challenges.

Frank Smith, Raleigh

Require masks

Sanitation protocols vary wildly at grocers, takeout restaurants, drug stores and other merchants. The majority of stores and some restaurants only “suggest” a face covering. They may have arrows on floors and signs, but do little to actively encourage social distancing and hand sanitation. Many staff members wear no masks or wear them below their noses or chins.

In Orange County an order started on Friday requiring face coverings in public with exceptions for certain ages, health conditions, and locations. The governor and/or every county should follow suit as soon as possible. Stores can be required to provide them for people who lack. Perhaps health departments could provide them.

Our lives and our livelihoods depend on it.

Lilleth Johnson, Raleigh