Letters for March 22: The Isle of Wight School Board should also declare ‘sin no longer exists’

Systemic racism

Re “Isle of Wight School Board states systemic racism does not exist in new policy” (March 17): What a relief to know that systemic racism has come to an end and that no one is inherently oppressed due to his or her race or a multitude of other characteristics. I am curious, however, to know exactly when such bigotry ceased. The Emancipation Proclamation, the Voting Rights Act, the presidential election of Barack Obama or Donald Trump?

I encourage the Isle of Wight County School Board not to stop now. Please decree that climate change has been arrested, that the war in Ukraine is over, and that world hunger is now global satiety. One other request from this old Quaker preacher: Please declare that sin no longer exists. I’ve struggled with my manifold faults for 78 years, and I’m weary. Forgiveness is wonderful, but total obliteration of my errant past could be even better.

Wayne T. Blythe, Chesapeake

Isle of Wight

Re “Isle of Wight School Board states systemic racism does not exist in new policy” (March 17): It’s nice that the Isle of Wight County School Board has announced there is no systemic racism in the U.S. Now, if they will announce that slavery never existed; that Black people weren’t worth a fraction of white people; that separate was equal; and that the Easter Bunny is a real, living entity, we can tell our children that America is great again.

Patrick J. Mileur, Norfolk

Chesapeake Democrats

This year, Democrats in Chesapeake and Portsmouth have to make a decision in State Senate District 18 between state Sens. Louise Lucas and Lionel Spruill as the new district lines placed both incumbents in the same district. I call on all Democrats in this new district to stand behind Lucas on June 20.

As president pro tempore of the state Senate, she is one of the highest ranking elected Democrats in the commonwealth. As chair of the very important Education and Health Committee, she has protected Virginia from becoming the next Texas or Florida with the draconian anti-abortion laws pushed by the slim Republican majority in the House of Delegates and by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and she has led the “brick wall” to protect public education.

Further, Lucas strongly supports Democrats all across the commonwealth. For example, she donated $20,000 to state Sen. Aaron Rouse’s campaign to fill Rep. Jen Kiggans’ vacated seat, helping Democrats expand on their Senate majority. Conversely, Spruill only donated $1,000.

We need a leader in Chesapeake who supports other Democrats and will help encourage and recruit strong Democratic candidates throughout the city. That leader is Lucas, in my opinion.

Jeremy Rodden, Chesapeake

Divisiveness

An often-stated lament in today’s media and cultural discussion is the concept of being divisive. “Tending to cause disagreements that separate people into opposing groups” is the definition, according to dictionary.cambridge.org. Divisiveness could be used against both sides in our current public debate. But consider the following points: Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s efforts to improve our children’s education is not divisive just because academic imperialists oppose it. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears’ conservatism is not speaking on behalf of a white supremacist just because left-wing media pundits dislike her.

Opposing storybook presentations to young children by drag queens is neither divisive nor denying someone’s rights. Using these topics to advance a socialist, ungodly agenda is a coordinated effort from a well-organized but openly hateful part of our population that seeks to divide us by falsely accusing loyal Americans of attacking them. This is exactly what they are doing to those who do not agree with them. It is the right of every American to speak his or her mind, but no right exists to push your agenda on another through slander and fearmongering.

Rick Timberlake, Williamsburg

God-given rights

Re “More to it” (Your Views, March 17): Mannie Smith’s letter made me think about exactly what our God-given rights are. They are not “God-given” if they can be legislated or taken away by the government.

Many in the U.S. don’t believe in God and don’t want to feel constrained by any of his Ten Commandments. For them, “God-given” rights may not be the kind of rights they would be pleased with. As a Christian, I can honestly think of only one “God-given” right — the right to choose where I will spend eternity. Thankfully, God made a way through his son, Jesus, for me to choose eternity with him.

Betty Arehart, Virginia Beach

No aides

Re “Help wanted? Virginia Beach, Newport News city councils consider hiring assistants” (March 20): It’s amazing that people want to get on a City Council and they don’t investigate what the job entails. Now in Newport News the council members want taxpayers to hire aides to help them in their positions on the council. Maybe they should just resign and let more competent people run for office. Say no to hiring aides for the work the council members should be doing, are paid for and have been doing forever.

Gene Warren, Newport News