This is the first in a series. See the archive and submit your own letter at www.mysaline.com/letters.
Brent Davis of Benton, Arkansas writes on May 23, 2023—
STOP
That’s my last word in all the commotion about books in our libraries.
STOP all the name-calling, the labeling of individuals with slanderous, criminal tags like pedophile without proof, the hateful tones in all the rhetoric.
STOP the billboards. All of them. Imagine what people think of our city as they drive through on vacations, when they come to our city for sports tournaments, when they visit local eateries along the Highway and see the first impression we are giving them, when they stay in the hotel across the Highway and see the billboard message rotated endlessly outside their window, when vendors and buyers see what our own residents think of the city they chose to do business within as they turn in to the Benton Event Center. Imagine the damage to our reputation that can’t be reversed. Imagine the additional proof people outside our county now see to further validate a negative opinion that exists beyond the county lines.
STOP pointing a finger at the other guy when all sides are complicit.
STOP using the “millstone around the neck” scripture to justify negativity and hate toward your neighbor. Jesus taught with parables. In this particular passage he was admonishing his disciples. He was telling them that everyone is a child of God. He placed a child before them as a visual to represent ALL people and called them “children of God” and anyone who harmed one of his children and caused them to turn away from God would suffer a fate worse than going to Hell and used tying a millstone around the neck of the offender and tossing them into the sea as an illustration. With all the hate shown from some of our neighbors toward our neighbors, I submit that the very language being used has turned many souls away.
STOP standing on the sidelines if you don’t like what you see happening. Knowing all the divisiveness going on, my drive around the town yesterday presented me with a feeling of sadness as I looked around, knowing the undercurrents just behind the doors of businesses and homes I have come to discover while covering this issue. I believe that what I feel is common to the majority of people and elected officials (Yes, even Republicans). I’d venture a guess near the 80% range. I took the time to sit and talk with someone about it yesterday. I feel much better and positive.
STOP assuming. Talk to your elected officials. You might be surprised, in a good way, by what you learn.
STOP. Just…stop.
SHARE if you wish. Let’s light it up.
This is the first in a series. See the archive of Letters to the Editor, and submit your own letter at www.mysaline.com/letters.