Wednesday, November 12, 2003

Why no black faces in series?

As an African-American citizen of Fayette County, I was disappointed in two pieces in your Nov. 5, 2003 edition. I feel these two items are offensive to African Americans.

The first item was the article by Bruce L. Jordan, a member of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. I have read his book “Murders in the Peach State,” which I enjoyed, and am about to read his book on the Fayette County murders. However, in his article, “Traveling carnival comes to F’ville, produces a mayor,” I was astonished that there were no African-Americans shown among “The faces that built Fayette.”

I can’t believe that, being somewhat a history buff, Jordan could pass over the fact that there must have been some black families in Fayette who helped build this county even in an era of segregation.

Sure, some may say I’m being too sensitive, but for too long our contributions in building this country, not just Fayette County, have been overlooked or down-played. This oversight, and I choose to call it that, could be viewed as racist, which I do not think it was.

Lt. Col. Jordan, please be more aware and sensitive to all citizens of Fayette County.

The other item is the cartoon that appeared on [the editorial page].

Dan Lowry

Fayette