Wednesday, February 26, 2003

I read [Chadwick] Barr's and [Michael] Thompson's "PTC growth brings unwanted traffic, crime."

The discussion about reducing or eliminating the growth of low-income housing was a secondary issue as far as these two individuals were concerned. Really, their argument hinged on the minorities these low-income districts attract, and the assertion that it is the source of a lot of crime and unhappiness in Peachtree City. Their true motivation was the reduction of minorities in [the city], and implicitly the reduction of crime that is associated with it.

Read Section 201 part a of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which I believe would prohibit passing laws with the intention of reducing the rights of minorities to exist in places of public accommodation in its principle or primary effect if only because those places of public accommodation are being reduced. Feel free to disagree with that law if you must, but Georgia is covered under that Civil Rights Act. Don't be surprised if you're asked to justify your laws in court.

Moreover, let's not find modern terminology and arguments to rehash that "stain" on our nation's soul. This is really about keeping the minorities away from the white communities, about segregation and the old backward ways of the past which Peachtree City, Georgia, and the South are moving away from, law by law.

Senator Trent Lott, during his apology, said a few important comments that relate to any laws meant to reduce the numbers of minorities in an effort to clean up a community, almost segregate it, if you will.

"Segregation is a stain on our nation's soul. There's no other way to describe it. It represents one of the lowest moments in our nation's history, and we can never forget that ... Segregation and racism are immoral ... I've seen the destruction by these immoral policies of the past, I have tried to and will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that we never go back to that type of society again."

But most telling was during a question about how he felt about the whole mess about political correctness. He said, you know "when you're from Mississippi and when you are Republican leader, you've got an extra burden to make sure you think about every word and every phrase so that it doesn't convey the wrong impression or hurt people."

Peachtree City, you may be upset that you have to be so politically correct about your laws, about your housing laws no less, but Sen. Lott made a good point. When you're from the South and it's time to talk about policies that affect minorities (probably African-Americans), you've got that extra burden to be careful. It's about making amends for the past.

Steven Guess

Saddleback Community College

Mission Viejo, Calif.