Readers Write: Oct. 11

Let’s see players put game where their mouth is

Regarding NFL players “taking the knee” or sitting while the National Anthem is being played — you know what? I get it. They seem to be protesting some level of injustice in the U.S. That said, when does it end? When every injustice in the country is rectified? When we all become clones, believing in the same things and living our lives exactly in the manner in which the protesters demand? This is all puffery anyway since these gestures cost them nothing. If they really want to make a point and are willing to take a little personal pain while doing so, the wide receiver should stop and “take a knee” rather than catching the ball for a touchdown, just letting the ball fall where it may. Same for the defensive tackle; “take a knee” when the guy with the ball rushes past.

DAVID PORTER, DORAVILLE

Pot legislation a good first step

As an African-American woman who has seen the negative ramifications an ounce of marijuana can have on one’s life, I found the article “Atlanta Mayor Reed to review, sign changes to city marijuana laws,” hopeful.

According to ACLU, African-Americans are more than four times as likely to be arrested as white adults. By reducing the penalty and eliminating jail time, fewer African-Americans will have a criminal record. In Atlanta, African-Americans make up 92 percent of those arrested for marijuana possession. By decriminalizing marijuana and reducing the penalty, the crime rate amongst African-Americans will decrease.

A strict drug penalty is not stopping the usage of marijuana. Why not lessen the offense and put the money into the communities that are disproportionately affected by the incarceration rate?

ALEXIS BLACKMON, MARIETTA