Removing symbols of racism isn’t enough. Go further. Do what the Daniels family did.

Imitate the Daniels

The Daniels family has removed the controversial Josephus Daniels statue from Nash Square. Others are responding in similar ways — changing names of buildings, removing monuments, and showing, as biographer Lee A. Craig put it, “that there are people of good will who are willing to move on...”

Still, changing a label is not a change. Removing a symbol is only a symbol. Moving a monument and moving on — without more — leaves the problem behind. The Daniels family demonstrated, 20 years ago it will have none of that. When newspapers faced a transformative technical and economic disruption few sought a black professional to meet the challenge. The N&O offered the challenge to Orage Quarles. The paper moved on with a black president and publisher, second to none, piloting the way.

Others will do well to imitate the Daniels.

Douglas A. Johnston, Raleigh

Peace officer?

John Greenleaf Whittier once wrote “Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been.’”

Milwaukee Peace Officer: George, I’m writing you a citation for attempting to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. You must appear in court. Take this citation and these masks. Wear a mask anytime you’re around others. It could protect them. Be safe and kind.

Atlanta Peace Officer: Rayshard, you passed the physical part of the sobriety test but were slightly high on the breathalyzer. I’m giving you a break this time. Leave your car in the parking lot and walk to your sister’s house. Take these masks and wear one whenever you’re around others. It could protect them. Be safe and kind.

Jay Wellons, Raleigh

Journalists attacked

As Americans try to come to terms with the latest killings of African Americans by police and our history of racism, we call for media outlets to diversify their staffs. We’re also disturbed at the large number of attacks on journalists at protests.

These journalists are representing the interests of the public. We are especially aware of the challenges faced by journalists of color, whose jobs ask them to remain dispassionate in the face of attacks that are all-too personal.

We are journalism professors funded through the Knight Foundation who teach at universities across the U.S. We want a nation where our students can do their jobs in a culture of respect for the First Amendment. We call on governors, mayors, state lawmakers, city councils, prosecutors, police chiefs and police union officials to hold the perpetrators of attacks against journalists to account and ensure they stop immediately.

Bill Adair, Duke University

Penelope Abernathy, UNC-CH

and 21 other journalism professors from around the nation

NC nursing homes

NC nursing homes have been working hard to protect our state’s most vulnerable residents from COVID-19.

A June 15 article focused on inspection issues, attributed in part to staffing shortages, at three N.C. nursing homes that experienced an outbreak. Each of these facilities had COVID-19 outbreaks early on, at a time when health experts were still learning how widely and easily the virus spreads through asymptomatic carriers. The virus could spread for days without symptoms, then appear suddenly — during a period before nursing homes received significant support from state and federal governments.

The 45,000 nursing home staff members across N.C. who are working so diligently to care for elderly and ill residents deserve our appreciation.

Adam Sholar,

President, N.C. Health Care Facilities Association

School name change

Regarding “A Raleigh school named after a white supremacist is getting a new, inclusive name,” (June 18):

I am so grateful that somewhere in N.C. there is a ray of hope for our future generations. But Daniels Middle School is not the only school in North Carolina named after a person who was a white supremacist or Confederate general.

Some people don’t quite understand what the problem is. They say “after all, it’s just a name.” To many African Americans it’s not just a name. It’s a symbol of a history of oppression. It’s a reminder of the terror that our ancestors had to deal with.

A name, especially one on a school, is something that children look up to. Unfortunately, there are about 50-60 schools (maybe more) in North Carolina with names that need to be changed.

Katrina Smith, Aulander

Oberlin Middle

As an Oberlin College alum, I support the Wake County school board’s choice to honor Raleigh’s historic Oberlin community and I welcome our neighborhood middle school’s name change.

I just wonder which Wake County high school will be first to send a grad from Oberlin to Oberlin.

Harlan Shays, Raleigh