Let’s Talk Dems
Editor:
Republicans and/or conservatives are, yawn, boring. No disrespect, but when you have the most fascinating and exhilarating political party know as the Democrats, life is great. What I find most fun to watch are the Democrats in Washington, talk about high-caliber, intriguing performances. Personally, I like Obama, and I’ll tell you why. He’s Obamalicious. Seriously, if it were to come out that he’s human, I’ll still hold him in high esteem.

Remember during the 2004 Presidential campaign, when Kerry was being swift-boated, and the Monday morning quarterbacks were blaming Kerry for his lack of response to those swift-boat ads? Well, now you have Hillary’s swift criticisms of Obama, you have Obama responding effectively and immediately, but now you have people upset at the way he responded. The consensus is that Obama should have said something different then what he said. Well if that’s not drama, then I don’t know what is, but I’m here to tell you, it’s something else too, the start of a memorable and enjoyable Presidential campaign journey.
Alexandra King
Denver

South Park Sheds Light
Editor:
Recently, I did something I had never done before - I watched South Park . If an irreverent parody can spark a serious conversation about race relations in America, it’s a good thing, even if it shows Rev. Jesse Jackson in a demeaning light. Jesse Jackson accepted Michael Richard’s apology and challenged him to make amends to the community he offended. Unlike the cartoon version of events, there was no kissing involved.

Like Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King, Black men who dare to challenge racist assumptions about Black Americans earn derision during their lifetimes. And also like Douglass and King, Jesse Jackson is likely to be revered by history long after South Park is forgotten. We tend to accept their ideals, but not their right to express them.

DuBois had it almost right – the problem of the 20th century in America was the problem of the color line. And now it is the problem of the 21st century as well. At some point, America should have a serious conversation about race in order to find redemption and reconciliation. Despite his unfortunate name, Token is right: too many whites don’t understand how racial slurs affect the society. Fortunately for the children in the episode, and perhaps for the children of America , by the end of the show there was common ground on which could find a shared understanding of their differences.
Janice L. Mathis
Vice President of Rainbow Push Coalition
Atlanta, GA