Progress will happen

Getting hot and bothered over catchphrases like woke, cancel culture, gay rights, critical race theory, etc., reminds me of the era when progressives like Teddy Roosevelt championed causes like women voting, labor reforms, social welfare, prison reform, civil liberties, civil service, etc. And later, the progressive income tax, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, civil rights and women wearing pants.

It reminds me how fashions tend to emerge from gay culture. Progress often begins with ideas many consider radical. I am grateful for those who advance ideas and movements that poke reactionaries. We can judge the future impact by the reactions of reactionary politicians, commentators and our own Dr. Gitz.

Defunding the police was taken literally in some jurisdictions. I have read of instances where police funding was severely cut, crime increased and funds were restored. But reforms were made to improve policing and increase the support of citizens who had called for defunding. That’s progress.

I’m not aware of any pressure to defund the Fayetteville Police Department but read recently that the city is hiring social workers to help with domestic calls once officers deal with any violence. It resulted from movements that were well publicized by the above-mentioned reactionaries to advance the cause of police reform, up to defunding, perhaps not in Fayetteville, but to our benefit. That’s progress.

I’ve noticed that women are now wearing pants pretty much all over the place, but still no Equal Rights Amendment.

HOWELL MEDDERS Fayetteville