Pamela Taylor wrote:
> I am wondering how a person could ask for more edgy opinions, then ask for
a
> person who could give them more moderate views because they "think" that
> would be closer to what the average African American person would be
> thinking?

Mark A.;
 I want edgy opinions from many different columnists.  If I see a regular
columnist in the Strib, that tells me that the the Paper believes his
opinions to be mainstream - which I don't believe is the case with Mr.
Jones.  The Strib actually does provide commentary from a lot of sources,
which is a good thing.  They printed two of my Counterpoints last year, and
that's all to the good :>).

Pamela again:
> Folks who may write moderately don't always turn out to be moderate in
their
> overall thinking and/or behavior.  Does that mean they are not racist?
> Nope, proves absolutely nothing except that they did not express they're
> views publicly.  They may only have toned it down because they believe
that
> is what folks may want to hear, or may be willing to accept at the time.
> And they wanted to receive a paycheck and continue writing columns.

Mark A. again:
I only know writers by what they write.  Someone can be a saint or a
psychopath in his private life, but that doesn't add or take away from his
writings.  I've labeled Syl a racist because he regularly inserts racist
comments in his writing.

Pamela said:
> If we stop pretending that we are all color-blind, and say things like
race does not
> matter, I think we would be much better off.  Race is plays an underlying
> role in all our lives in some way on a daily basis.  And having racist
> thoughts and actions does not mean I am against any race, because I am
not.
> I have no time nor place in my life for hatred.  It simply means that this
> spiritual being is having a human experience, and is very real and up
front
> about it.

Mark A:
I agree with you totally here.  However, good writing is not just putting
down whatever you're thinking at any given time.  You should be mindful of
the audience.  Racist thoughts will tend to incite the audience, either good
or bad, so you should state them only if you are conscious of this effect.

I've found none of Syl Jones' columns to be insightful, but my point wasn't
about his writing.  My point is the tacit endorsement by the Strib of his
racist commentary, since he is a regular columnist.  In fact, as memory
serves, his very first column was one of his most racist, which the editors
presumably read before hiring him.  I think the purpose of hiring him was to
get an angry n****r on staff, to show how progressive they are.

Yes, Megan, I'm White.

Mark Anderson
Bancroft


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