Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 4, 2000
Editor: Why don't the people who are doing the public transportation study ask the people who use public transportation?
We used to be able to shop at Southgate, with the buses stopping in front of the now-vacant Kahn's store. Not anymore; now the bus stops at the very end of Southgate or past McDonald's, which is a long walk to Publix.
Wouldn't it make sense to have the buses come into Southgate like before? If they need to meet the other buses, fine, but at least give us a break.
-- Geraldine Snyder, New Port Richey
Editor: What alarmed me the most as I read about the "KKK joke" was that I was not surprised.
The inference that "it had nothing to do with his being black" is the denial of racism that is accepted in this community. Race and gender matter. Just not here in this community.
In the political arena we have had the "Lock Street" vote.
In the criminal arena we have had the "Sylvia Maraman" verdict.
In the social arena we have the Chasco Fiesta.
The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce has referred to Chasco as a "sense of community pride." Do references of "heathen and savage Indian" and children's games of "pick pocket Indian" and "pin the tail on the Indian" truly reflect the pride of Pasco?
The Chamber also states that Chasco presents a wholesome environment for community celebration. How is stereotyping wholesome?
Maya Angelou has written, "There are some people who believe that blindness is an affliction that affects only the eyes." How truly this reflects this community.
If this community and its leaders were to truly honor Native American history, corporate sponsors of Chasco would not have been involved in attempting to hide the existence of indigenous burial mounds. Instead, this community would have stood united with the American Indian Movement in demanding that ancient burial grounds and archaeological sites be preserved.
If this community and its leaders truly honor the native people of this continent, the word "squaw" would be removed from our classrooms.
If this community and its leaders truly want to understand Native American culture, then more attention would be given to the protection of nature and less attention given to the building of new roads and houses.
Do you think that the great cypress or the oak understand that they are in violation of the right of way laws of Pasco's development?
I see nothing wholesome and I take no pride in dehumanizing an entire race of people.
But even with my blue eyes, I am a minority in this case. Which I guess is why only minorities in Pasco can understand that the "KKK joke" is not at all funny, but made even more frightening by its acceptance.
-- Peno Hardesty, New Port Richey