Can an unaware president change course?

Does our president understand what’s going on? Or is he just a child born to wealth, whose lifelong study has been in general to play tricks on people, to accumulate wealth, to congratulate himself (and to expect others to congratulate him) and to misunderstand the difference between actual intelligence and cleverness? During the election he was often goaded into doing and using witless insults no adult would ever say in public — purely for effect.

He knows nothing about how to govern himself or others. At first I reacted to him with scorn and contempt. Many did, and still do.

But my attitude is changing. I believe he honestly doesn’t realize that he’s being manipulated by a cynical cabal that manipulates him and others however they wish. So he is incompetent and helpless and doesn’t yet realize how he is being used.

I now begin to find myself feeling compassion for the poor man. Surely somewhere in his mind he probably knows a little about what’s going on and has no ability to stop it. PAUL COX

Polish Hill women who have met with Tamir Rice’s family.

The PG reduced the issue at hand to saying that Mr. Megalis was accused of “cultural appropriation.” One questions whether death and violence at the hands of police is a part of black culture. To me, this seems like it is a reflection of the white supremacist culture of the United States, which is taking the lives of black folks.

Nowhere in the article did the PG include what has been said by folks directly impacted by the subject of Mr. Megalis’ work. What has been said is that Mr. Megalis is triggering real mental health issues with his work — mental health issues related to the constant circulation of imagery portraying black death. What has been said is that Pittsburgh needs to think more about what it can do in its art scene to address issues of racism.

I wish I could say this exclusion makes your publication irrelevant. Sadly, it does not. It makes your publication a reflection of the deeply entrenched racism and segregation in Pittsburgh, and it reflects how little the PG is doing to change that. CAITLYN CHRISTENSEN

Troy Hill

We welcome your opinion

look at the controversy concerning Tom Megalis’ Tamir Rice painting. Mr. Megalis was ambushed by a handful of black activists online.

I’ve known Tom Megalis for 25 years. These activists generated a tremendous amount of distress for him. He felt threatened not only for himself but also for his family.

His piece was done shortly after the authorities declined to charge the officers involved in the death of Tamir Rice. It was not done for the Three Rivers Arts Festival. He wanted the piece to spark discussion — but not one-sided discussion and not threatening.

I wish Mr. Megalis would reconsider because the piece is a stirring representation of problems that our nation must address today. DOUG GRAHAM

Bloomfield