Letters from the week of March 29

Letters, March 15

Dream Catcher

Regarding the letter that said, “For all those white, racist, gabacho readers: Mexicans come here for a better life! Isn’t that your so-called American dream?” I work hard for what I earn, and I pay for my so-called American dream with taxes, medical insurance, car insurance, rent. I pay. Do you? I am sick of hearing how racist white people are! We are no different from you; we are looking out for our land and our way of life (I might add, a clean way of life), the freedom that our ancestors fought for and keep on fighting to protect. Things aren’t just handed to all of us, so don’t come over here with your racist accusations, as if you aren’t racist yourselves.

I never had a problem with this, but the more crying I hear from you, the more it makes me sick. From the pilgrims to slavery to women’s rights, we earned and worked for what you came here to invade. You can’t come here and expect to just get what you want — earn it and work to get what you think you deserve. You came here, and yet you call us names and judge us, hmmm? Get your own dream! Get a grip. Name withheld by request

Ask a Mexican, March 8

Skim Milked

While I don’t disagree with the Mexican’s explanation for why his people steal, I would like to add one. In college I attended a class called “Spanish Borderlands of the Americas.” The course taught that during Spanish occupation, the governors and others in charge were not paid. The king and queen of Spain fully expected those they had put in charge of the New World to support themselves by skimming from any and all revenues meant for Spain.

The officials back home would look the other way if the New World officials were compliant with any and every demand that was sent their way. Those who didn’t obey this rule were arrested, sent back to Spain and often executed. This is a system that was rife with corruption and became normal in the minds and behavior of many Mexicans and was passed down for many generations. Bob Tichenor, Kansas City, Kansas

Janovy, “Color Lines,” March 15

Uncle who?

C.J. Janovy’s column was a great analysis of the overall picture of voting. I am a 43-year-old black male, and I have been voting since my exit from the U.S. Army in 1994. And the one thing I have been assured of is that I’m in the minority within the minority. If you vote outside of color lines, you are considered to be an Uncle Tom. Nothing personal against Alvin Brooks but, as the lady from the 5900 block of Kensington said, “it truly has gone from bad to worse” with the blacks we have had in office. But the one thing I know about the majority of blacks is that it’s just as the Star‘s editorial writer Yael Abouhalkah said: The mayor’s race will be decided by the whites who can swing the vote! My people as a whole are clueless when it comes to voting and the issues at stake. I have been to forums, churches, friends’ houses, or my office at work, and it is always the same: If a candidate is black, then he will always represent us as a whole. That is not only so far from the truth, it’s a stereotype. It is truly borderline ignorance — call it the Jessie Jackson, Al Franklin, Lewis Diuguid syndrome. Then again, I am black, I do not vote Democrat, I’m educated and somewhat successful, and, oh, I’m the Uncle Tom. Keep up the good work in the Pitch, and thanks for letting me voice my opinion.

O.J. Shields Jr., Kansas City, Missouri Stage Capsules

Regional Theater

I recently saw “A Dog’s Life” at the American Heartland Theatre and continue to be confused why some KC theaters insist on hiring New York actors instead of supporting the arts in KC. The reason I bring this up is because my husband and I saw the workshop of this show at the Heartland in October when all four parts were done by KC residents.

Damron Armstrong (whom we love from his shows at the Unicorn) and Tom Scott were in that workshop. Perhaps those two gentlemen were not available for this show, but surely their parts could’ve easily been replaced by other local actors.

Not to say that the two New York gentlemen were bad — they were fine. It’s just confusing why a KC theater would not want to support KC. With the exception of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, it seems that the American Heartland is the only theater that practices this policy.

It’s quite a shame. Part of the fun for us is seeing people we know. I just don’t understand. Elizabeth Stanley, Kansas City, Missouri

Café and My Big Fat Mouth

Causing a Stir

We happened to pick up a copy of the Pitch at Pangea the other day. I rushed to the restaurant section and found not one but two of Charles Ferruzza’s columns. He is a delightful and witty and wise writer.

We plan to try to pick up copies whenever we can. Being out here in the ‘burbs is not conducive to being able to acquire the Pitch, but we will make a valiant effort. It seems that as the Star gets worse, an alternative that provides fresh and fascinating columns like his is the answer. Pinky Kase, Leawood