Letters on hateful candidates, disruptive protesters
Why such hatred for those who are different?
I recently went to the Gordon Parks photo exhibition at the Wichita Art Museum. One photo captures the moment when Elizabeth Eckford, a very brave 15-year-old black girl, walked toward the formerly all-white Little Rock Central High School. She walked alone, followed closely by a group of angry whites shouting threatening, hateful words at her.
Why was there such hatred just because she was different?
When I returned home, I considered the political battles taking place in the Republican Party. The top two candidates constantly speak with anger and hatred toward each other and toward the many other groups that aren’t like them, whether in philosophy, race or national origin.
It’s disgraceful that candidates for the presidency of our United States have such low regard for the office, and frightening to think what our country might be like with that kind of leadership. Surely we can elect a president who treats others with respect rather than with hate and demeaning language.
Charles Eby, Wichita
There to disrupt
The media, by and large, are falsely blaming Donald Trump for the confrontation between Trump supporters and some unnamed groups. The unnamed groups were easy to identify. They had signs. They were Democrats. They were there to disrupt, not protest.
Imagine the Shocker basketball team, band and cheerleaders practicing in Charles Koch Arena before a game. Imagine the Bradley Braves team, mascot and band traipse in uninvited and disrupt the practice. Shouting and skirmishes may ensue.
Whose fault is it? The blame rests on Bradley. Note: Trump rented the building and invited his supporters.
Some Democrat groups want to blame Republicans for whatever or anything. They are pro-choice except on speech, schools, guns, trade, health care, energy, smoking, union membership, lightbulbs, plastic bags, Wal-Mart, what kinds of food you can eat, etc.
Some Democrat groups want to blame the past for whatever or anything. They vent, try to intimidate and provoke violence.
The past is beyond control. What you are today is important, not what used to be. We are not a victim of the past in this country. Most problems are of our own making.
I would not disrupt or protest the president’s right to speak. My way of protesting is expostulation, not going to his rally, or not voting for him.
Tom Oyler, Wichita
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This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters on hateful candidates, disruptive protesters."