Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Reader: ‘Lynch-ed’ by column about schools

After reading the racist, insensitive article written by J. Frank Lynch, I began to really understand just how far we are away from uniting this society and community. Mr. Lynch should not be allowed to “pour gasoline” on an already smoldering issue.

I am a resident of Clayton County and I am appalled by this man’s negative insights on the state of this county. We find ourselves in this situation for many reasons.

Whites are leaving the county for the same reasons they’ve always participated in the “white flight” exodus. It is not because their black neighbors are destroying property. It is not because of their black neighbors’ lack of morality nor is it because of character flaws.

Whites are leaving Clayton County not because of the school system, but because of their deep-seated racist views. The fear of having to be lead by African-Americans regardless of their qualifications.

The Clayton County School Board is the most educated school board in the history of this county. The school board members had to deal with racists like Mr. Lynch undermining their every move.

As long as the school board was all white, the superintendent white, the county commissioners all white, the water authority all white, the police department, the fire department all white, the racists in this county had no reason to leave.

So dump all of the county’s problems on African-Americans. We expect you would do so regardless of the facts.

Whites in this county are moving to Henry, Fayette and other destinations. But they must understand that we are coming out there as well. Therefore, prepare to sell yet another house; we will be your neighbors.

I expect the only real solution is to figure out how to coexist with people you have historically been afraid to get to know.

Wherever you move, we are going to join you. Not because we have any special desire to be near you or even among you, but because we have the right to move where we choose and most African-Americans have come to realize that if you are moving, then, there must be some good stuff forthcoming.

We understand that pawn shops and check cashing businesses follow the poor and downtrodden.

Mr. Lynch, why don’t you spend some of your time and energy working to develop ways which will allow every individual, black man or white man to all enjoy what this great country has to offer. Or do you simply think that blacks are beneath you and we all are to be judged by the most immoral among us.

I am afraid of immoral black people and immoral whites as well. When in 2004, whites are still running, when people like yourself are allowed to verbally abuse an entire race of people, then we began to understand just how wide the divide between racial harmony and racial injustices.

You’ve insinuated blacks are why our school system are faltering. In fact, Frank Lynch, you’ve made many insinuations (all racist) about the shortcomings of this great county. Whether you or right or wrong is not of any real significance (at least not to this reader), but what is important is when and where do we rally as brothers and sisters of the human race to insure that America is America for all Americans.

[I am the] parent of twin 17-year-old African-American males (neither has stolen, robbed or used drugs), teacher in Clayton County schools, member of Christian Fellowship Baptist Church.

Larry Foster

Riverdale, Ga.