We, the people
We, the people, have taken our country back. We, the people, voted for hope and unity rather than fear and anger.
I appreciate all who organized and worked hard in the election of President-elect Barack Obama, especially the young people who came here, ignited our energies and our dreams, were paid little and worked their hearts out to lead us to this historic victory.
Matt Robb, Leelanau County's field organizer, did a fabulous job; and our Leelanau County volunteers were great. Appreciation goes also to all of us Americans who were willing to reclaim our inheritance as a country of equality and hope, a place where we can work together to realize our dreams. Yes, we can!
Gwenne Allgaier
Maple City
Not good business
I am writing in response to the article, "Local shop flies American flag upside down." What exactly was the focus of your piece? Did you want to highlight the stupidity and racism of the business owner? Did you want his customers to be aware he's a racist?
I find it to be an embarrassment that we live in an area where a business owner is so cavalier with such hateful words. I can't believe that's good business.
Kristen M. Torrez
Traverse City
Let's get busy
Whether it is analysts deciding which demographic group would vote for whom, the so-called "Bradley Effect," which suggests white voters won't vote for an African-American, a racist joke told by a colleague or a local gunsmith throwing around the "N-word," too much attention has been paid to race in this election.
Dunham is the maiden name of President-Elect Obama's mother. It doesn't resonate with me; it doesn't make me identify any more with him because she was white, just as I don't identify any less with him because his father was black.
What does resonate is what matters: We have an intelligent, energetic, eloquent leader in the White House and we have a foundering national government. Let's get busy; we don't have time for skin color.
Aaron Schurg
Traverse City
Signal for distress
I was born and raised in Traverse City and now live in Chicago. Upon moving here, my sister bought me a can of Mace spray from Hampel's Key and Lockshop. (It was on my key chain until I attended an Obama rally and security confiscated it.)
My job in research at Northwestern University sends me into homes in crime-ridden neighborhoods of the south and west sides of the city. I interview, in sometimes sketchy locales, drug dealers, gang members, prostitutes and others who have been involved in the justice system.
Ironically, however, I've never needed -- even felt I needed -- the Mace in these situations. In fact, I am less fearful of the people I meet in my work than I am of people like Rod Nyland at Hampel's who so brazenly show the community their racism and ignorance. It is these small minds and large mouths that make the world less safe.
It is people like Mr. Nyland and Hampel's owners who are the signal for distress for Traverse City and the world around it.
Fortunately, they are the minority; that's been made clear, just as Obama made clear his support for Second Amendment gun rights.
Liz Aldrich
Chicago
Print this story
E-mail this story
