Columnist wrong on theatre incident

Re Was Kingsway Theatre sage racism or jerk

ism? March 11 The title of this piece is actually a loaded and racially tainted allegation in the guise of dispassionate inquiry.

We are led to believe, by insinuation, that the “jerk” is the proprietor of a theatre who summoned the police to deal with an unruly patron. No benefit of the doubt is given to him as he sought to maintain a peaceable and safe environment for his customers.

Are we to believe that he: a) had nothing better to do than instigate a stressful and disruptive situation; and b) possessed racial intent in describing the patron in terms common to law enforcement and the media?

These questions are apparently covered by the statement: “[we] agree that we are all racist.”

All that is missing is direct evidence, argument and motive. Jeff Stephan, Toronto

Since I know neither the clerk that refused to sell Wendy Olunike Adeliyi the ticket nor Rui Pereira, I can’t say with any certainty that either is or is not a racist. However, I must disagree with columnist Shree Paradkar that this was a racist incident.

This incident could have clearly been avoided if Adeliyi had followed the rules of the theatre. That is all that is at issue here. Did she feel she was special and should have the rules waived for her?

Really, when are people going to start taking responsibility for their actions and not blame everyone around them when they do things they shouldn’t? Rita Maio, Woodbridge