READERS WRITE: AUG. 17

Agitator leftist Pitts continually fuels racial discord

Columnist Leonard Pitts’ record needle is stuck, “Emmett Till’s eternal youth and a shot-up Southern sign,” (Opinion, Aug. 12). Over and over, he tries to blame today’s racial problems on “white purity.” Pitts is an agitator — a perfect example of a black man who wants to burn a cross in a white man’s yard. It’s a painful truth, but his columns are not about racial accord; they’re always about racial discord. And they’re always about the South’s discrimination by “white purity” and never about blacks’ contribution to disunity. We are constantly admonished about our skin color as if we chose to be white. The “white” problem is brought up in Gracie Bonds Staples’ piece, “Beware of living while black in America” (Metro, Aug. 12). How about, “Beware of living while white in America?” There’s always enough blame to go around; it’s not just a white problem.

JACK FRANKLIN, CONYERS

Kemp should step aside, avoid even appearance of conflicts

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp continually does all he can to claim the mantle of a conservative’s conservative, yet he ignores one of the tenets of conservative ethics: Don’t just avoid wrongdoing; avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing. He’s a candidate in what may well be one of the most contentious gubernatorial elections ever in this state, yet he refuses to step aside from his role as top election dog to avoid conflict of interest. He claims it’s outrageous that anyone would think he could influence balloting. Come on! As the elected official who ultimately oversees all ballot counting and tabulating, how many ways could he wheel and deal to get things to come out the way he wants? How much pressure could he apply to subordinates? How many quid pro quos could he work? Do the right thing, Kemp. Resign.

MICHAEL ROBERTS, POWDER SPRINGS