Signs give students clearance to have big, messy party

All the Ohio State University students had to do was read the letter sent out by new President Kristina Johnson informing them they were not allowed in groups of 10 or more.

But if they are exercising their First Amendment rights, there is no limit. Just put a few protest signs in the yard and you’re good to go.

Mark Francescon, Columbus

Republicans pick and choose when to show their indignation

‘’Over the last couple of weeks … Democrats conjured up yet another fake scandal in an attempt to hurt President Trump,” said Rep. Bill Johnson, R-marietta, regarding his opposition to a House bill to help the U.S. Postal Service. When does a fake scandal become a real scandal, Mr. Johnson?

Is it after a Republican-led Senate committee concluded that Russia did indeed launch an aggressive, wide-ranging effort to interfere in the election on Trump’s behalf and that his associates were eager to exploit the Kremlin’s aid? Or is it after more than 170,000 Americans are dead from COVID-19, the Democratic hoax?

Johnson seems to think that Democrats spend their time inventing hoaxes just to make the president look bad when we all know he is perfectly capable of doing that all on his own.

Susan Cramer, Granville

We don’t choose our sexuality to make others uncomfortable

Recently, a co-worker told me she’d like to tear down every rainbow flag and every sign that reads Black Lives Matter. A popular Facebook meme claims that the poster did not care about sexuality or color until they were “crammed down his throat.”

I didn’t care about my sexual orientation either — until my parents asked me to leave because of it, until I had to hide it for fear of a dishonorable discharge, until I was fired because my employer could do that, until I was evicted because a landlord could do that, until I was told that my son’s father (a sperm donor) could take my boy if he wanted, until I watched Christian ministers blame me for everything from hurricanes to wildfires, until I read about Matthew Shepard. Until, until, until. It was not my idea to make my sexuality a big deal. It was yours.

I cannot speak for people of color, but I think most would have a similar message. Until I was told there is no vacancy; until I was refused a loan; until I wasn’t hired because my name “sounds Black;” until you put my children in cages; until you gave me paper towels to clean up a hurricane; until I was murdered for driving, jogging, playing, sleeping while Black.

Flags? Signs? Marches? Protests? The kind of frustration and anger that comes from centuries of discrimination? These are your doing.

Check your privilege and take a long and honest look around you.

Tamera Bryant, Columbus

We’re in trouble when so many people are unaware of racism

In her Monday op-ed "Naming, working to end racism will improve Ohioans’ health," Amy Rohling McGee pointed out that our Republican Gov. Mike Dewine recognizes that America has a big racism problem. Dispatch Public Affairs Editor Darrel Rowland, however, reported that Ohio's Donald Trump delegates to the Republican National Convention say, "Racism isn't much of a problem in America" (Dispatch article, Monday).

Ohio's Republicans overwhelmingly support Trump. If they recognize our racism, but still support him because, say, they want even more conservative Supreme Court justices, I understand (I disagree, but I understand).

If they, like the RNC delegates, think we don't have much of a racism problem, then they are delusional. If half of Ohioans are delusional, we are all in trouble.

Vic Presutti, Dayton