Unfair judgment
Dear editor:
I, too, was “furious, embarrassed and heartbroken” Saturday as I drove downtown near the Arlington. A group of young black people marched in single file across Central Avenue, waving a green, yellow and red flag, pumping their fists into the air in some sort of attention-getting ploy as they stalled traffic.
I, as an older white male, was actually just trying to get home from work that Saturday evening, and I’m sure my countenance irked the young demonstrators as I sat stalled on Central Avenue. I, however, did not see any of the “disgraceful, selfish and cruel” men and women who the previous writer on this event referred to. Evidently, they were not blocking traffic, but were peacefully exercising their right to assemble on the Arlington Lawn.
As to the shame we of Hot Springs should feel from our disregard of potential almighty tourist dollars and all the wasted millions of advertising money, perhaps “hatred and ignorance” is a bit stout in describing those of us who do not rely upon, nor underwrite, the tourism syndicate of this city. If the city fathers’ solution is keeping their nose out of its citizens’ rights, I have to strongly disagree this response is “immoral, cowardly and irresponsible.”
My ancestors also fought and died trying to defend these very rights, and we in fact do represent the South. If any of my rights or ancestry clash with or are detrimental to the image of the city, then so be it. Cowardice, as used in the mentioned editorial letter, is badly corrupted in meaning in describing “ignorant displays.” The Confederate battle flag has no less a right to be displayed than low-hanging pants, dreadlocks or green, yellow and red-striped flags. As I sat in traffic, I may have frowned, but I did not honk, swear or demand the other conform to my way of thinking through threats, intimidation, violence or inane cajoling in editorial rants.
This “old white male” is tired of being called a “hate-filled racist.” I could not help being born white. I did not choose my Southern heritage. I have worked hard all my life, tried to live right and don’t ever treat any human being as less than a child of Almighty God.
Now, if the letter writer is so sure that we are sending the wrong message, perhaps a more considerate and reasonable effort could be made to persuade as opposed to insult. Can I please not be “judged by the color of my skin, but by the character of my conscious?” Tony O’Bryan Hot Springs