Letters to the editor (Aug. 19): White supremacists, Naftzger Park, living life

The white supremacists’ message

Rev. Kent Little makes a good point about confronting evil with love. But the evil of what he speaks, racism, masked as protest over the removal of the statues of “heroes” is only a symptom of what the protests are really about. It’s about a very scared white America that is losing the majorities it has enjoyed since its founding. The “Browning of America” they so fear is why the counter protesters should not be fighting these racists. They should be laughing, knowing full well another form of “love” will do the trick in a generation or two.

The upper class sits back firm in the knowledge it’ll be safe as the “great washed” duke it out in the streets. How silly for us to let that happen. Both sides should stop throwing punches and start throwing fundraisers to elect people who will help the little guy. Progress can’t just come from the rich, it has to come from everyone who can look in a mirror. And while we’re looking maybe we can stop seeing each other’s color and start seeing our futures — together.

Look at park’s best moments

Councilwoman Janet Miller is correct in her assessment about problems with restrooms and the homeless population in Naftzger Park. But the park itself would be desired in cities across the nation, including Wichita. We must admit the problem is not the park; it is the homeless camping. Turning that quaint park into a common turf patch will not solve homeless problems; it just shifts. Will it shift to WaterWalk, the library, Century II or Delano?

Let’s deal with the real problem. Developers and condo renters or buyers are concerned with the homeless gatherings. Step up police and civilian monitoring. In the summer months, employ agricultural grade irrigation using the water supply already there.

I ask the Council to re-think the destruction of something original and attractive in downtown that will never be replaced. Don’t just look at what it is at the worst moments. Look at what it has and should be if we just undertook a few actions rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Working is a great part of life

I read a story in an old magazine about this man who had just retired on a large pension. He got a letter from his son who said, “Dad, you can relax now, you’ve got it made.”

I’ve had people tell me that, but it isn’t having it made, it’s getting it made. The happiest years of our lives were not when we owed no debts and retired, but when we were working and trying to survive.

I was lucky to have a good wife and job that required brain and brawn, but I never got tired or even felt bitter in my life. I’ve heard it same many times, “It’s the journey, not the arrival that counts.” When you retire don’t say, “I’ve got it made, no more work for me.”

I’ve been retired for 30 years and I keep busy doing something every day. At 92, I still feel pretty good. Weather permitting, I ride my bicycle and walk every day.

This story was originally published August 19, 2017 at 5:11 AM with the headline "Letters to the editor (Aug. 19): White supremacists, Naftzger Park, living life."