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Action needed to end racism and support equality

Regarding the Nov. 19 article, ''Kyle Rittenhouse found not guilty of all charges,'' I was shocked and very disappointed with this verdict.In my opinion,racism very much played a role in this trial and it plays a role here in Mansfield.

As a former Mansfield resident who wrote a letter to the editor Aug.16, 2020, to support protesters who wanted to see Mansfield City Council declare racism a public health crisis, I was hopeful it would pass, but unfortunately it didn't.If we're serous about standing up for others, it must include communities of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, refugees, those with disabilities, and those advocating for reproductive rights.

Start with real criminal justice reform so that regardless of race, our laws are really applied equally and fairly to all.Support the ''Equality Act'' so LGBTQ+ people can work, find housingand adopt children.Speak out for abortion rights so abortion care can be safe and legal in every state.Finally, advocate for real gun control measures, by banning assault weapons, suing gun makers and sellers, registering every firearm in a permanent federal databaseand only allow SMART guns that fingerprint to one user.

Please continue to support the ''Black Lives Matter'' movement, and speak out for the civil rights of all.

Nancy Dollard, Uniontown, OH

There will always be racism because it is a product of pride. My pride will seek out something or someone to criticize and discriminate against to make myself appear better in my own eyes. I point my finger at others and their falsely implied faults to avert any attention to my egregious faults. The Bible calls pride the greatest sin (Psalm19:13). Self-pride is all about me and must always be defended. I hate pride and bragging, evil ways and lies. Proverbs 8:13. There are over 60 verses condemning pride and none condoning it.

Skin color is an easy attribute to use when discriminating against people. Its worse for Black people because were taught that black hats are for bad people and white hats for good people, giving us a negative connotation on the color. These colors have nothing in common and are at opposite ends of the color spectrum. When we apply them to race we insinuate we dont have anything in common.

Our colors are not black and white, probably more like brown and beige, well within the same color range. If I put a white puppy and a black puppy in front of people there would be no discrimination, but if they were children there would be. How crazy and inhumane is that!

Pride will ruin people. Proverbs 29:23.

Why is pride bad?

All our thoughts are bad. Genesis 6:5. All good deeds are bad. Isaiah 64:6. There are none doing good. Romans 3:12.

All of our good abilities are gifts from God. James 1:17.

By taking credit for these abilities in this filthy vessel I am stealing the credit from God and falsely taking it upon myself.

Bill Opperman, Mansfield

The biggest news story right now is the Kyle Rittenhouse murder case.Democrats and leftists are frothing at the mouth over the fact that he was acquitted.Never mind that the evidence clearly showed that he was under vicious attack from convicted criminals who were participating in the burning and destruction of Kenosha and who obviously intended to either severely injure or kill him.

When leftists march they expect people to just lie down and take it.Wellnot this time. But I believe the outrage conceals a much more sinister aspect to this situation.Many lawyers cite previous court decisions in their efforts to defend their clients.If Rittenhousehad been found guilty, then that decision could have been cited in other cases of lethal forcebeing used in self defense, delivering a potentially mortal blow to our Second Amendment rights.

Liberals have been trying for years to strip away gun rights; a guilty verdict would have played right into their hands.Thank goodness for the courageous jurors who did not allow threats and intimidation to keep them from doing their duty in this extremely controversial case.Politics and ideology must never be allowed to stand in place of justice or we will cease to exist as a constitutional republic.

Maureen Collins, Mansfield

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Letters to the Editor: Racism, pride and the Second Amendment - Mansfield News Journal