Taken out of context
As is often the case, an individual’s comments are taken out of context. Typically this is done to sensationalize an opinion or mislead someone such that they adopt that opinion as their own. I believe such is the case with the recent letter from Deborah Suttlar. Ms. Suttlar asserts Sarah Sanders is the “epitome of ‘white privilege.’” That supports the idea that a person is given unfair advantage in life based on their skin color. That may be Ms. Suttlar’s opinion, but I believe it is not supported by any evidence she provides. To make that statement as fact is wrong.
It is Ms. Suttlar’s right to an opinion, but to cite as evidence that both Sarah and her father are racists based on a statement Mr. Huckabee made regarding the 1857 Dred Scott Supreme Court decision as “the law of the land” is incorrect when taken out of context. Mr. Huckabee did make that statement and unfortunately he is correct in the fact it was never overturned. Of course we all know the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution made it unenforceable.
Mr. Huckabee made his reference to Dred Scott in an attempt to make an argument that the recent, at the time, Supreme Court ruling legalizing homosexual marriage did not make such marriage right, just as Dred Scott did not make slavery right. His argument was ineffective and ill-advised as it opened the door to the same incorrect assertion Ms. Suttlar makes.
Perhaps Ms. Suttlar is unaware of the context within which Mr. Huckabee said what he said. However, this newspaper claims that letters are checked for accuracy as to statements of fact. I believe these sorts of letters do no one anything other than a disservice in the spiteful atmosphere in which we now live.
MICHAEL SANDERS Little Rock