Speak Out

White residents of Jena, La., were justified in their concern about the punishment of the black youths who allegedly beat a white youth. On the other hand, the lack of concern about the white students placing a hangman’s rope in the tree after black kids wanted to sit under the tree where white students normally sat indicates the willingness of Jena’s white population to condone racism.

It is impossible that a white Southerner would not know the negative and racist message that a hangman’s rope sends to the black community. These white students knew exactly what they were doing and what message they were sending.

The adult white population of Jena should have responded loudly against that racist action of a few white students, but it did not. It condoned the racist act by its silence, which shows that a hardcore racist undercurrent exists.

It was only a tree, you say? Yes, but tomorrow it may be a bathroom, a city bus or a motel that blacks cannot use.

White residents of Anniston should be especially upset by what happened in Jena. It seems but a few years ago that blacks could not use public facilities here and were terrorized by the spector of the hangman’s noose. There are white supremacist groups who desire the return of those times and conditions, and we must be prepared — black and white — to protest, boycott and vote, as they are doing in Jena, to be certain that the days of racial terrorism and segregation never return to the institutions of Alabama or the streets of America.

Salahudin Rahim
Anniston

Thompson will be missed

I was saddened to learn of the recent death of Robert Samuel “Sam” Thompson. He was a fine choral director at Anniston High School. His musical theater productions in the ’70s and ’80s, along with the choreography of Frank Jones, were legendary.

Through the shows and the choir, he encouraged and nurtured students’ interests, talents and careers in music and theater. Thompson loved his work and deeply cared for his students. He was a forward thinker, a good teacher and a loyal friend. Though serious about his art, Thompson never missed a chance for a joke or a funny line. His laughter was booming, generous and infectious.

My first choral and theatrical experiences were in Brigadoon under Thompson’s direction at AHS. One night after rehearsal, I told Thompson about a dream I’d had the previous night. I’d dreamt that I was on the stage on opening night, singing my solo, and the only person in the auditorium was Thompson, front row center, as always. I stopped singing, halted the orchestra and announced I wouldn’t sing without an audience and walked off the stage.

After I told Thompson about the dream, I asked him what it could have meant. Handing me a small envelope, he said, “It means you need to sell more tickets!” Then he threw his head back and laughed a laugh as big as he was.

I hadn’t seen him or heard from him since he moved from Anniston and I moved abroad, but I’ve always remembered Thompson as a kind mentor who loved life and enjoyed other people’s company.

Thompson was a good man. I know he’ll be missed by many. I hope he rests peacefully now, reunited with his mother, Evelyn, and his brother, Paul.

Joseph Bowlby
London, England

Power company rationale?

Re “Jacksonville residents hire lawyer in tree dispute” (News article, Sept. 20):

There is a tree on my property that is right by a road. If two cars meet one has to stop to let the other pass.

For 12 years, I have asked Alabama Power Co. to cut the limbs that have power and telephone lines running on them, and I’m told the limbs pose no threat to my service.

I have an all-electric home, and Alabama Power will not do squat, yet it aggravates people who do not want their trees cut down. These limbs are a threat. The tree is old, and we are continually picking up dead limbs in the street and on our property. To quote Alabama Power spokesman Buddy Eiland, “Those are strong reasons to have the tree completely cut down.”

Our high power bill money is going to court to get a legal ruling to cut down trees everyone wants, while I have a tree that should be cut down and no one will touch it except to trim a few branches every now and then.

Something is wrong with this picture.

Wanda McFry
Anniston