Richland County, SC — U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, the beneficiary of a gerrymandered congressional district that virtually assures his re-election every two years, continues to pull the race card any time he, or someone he supports, is criticized.

It is refreshing to hear some young professional African-American members of the Richland County legislative delegation not buying into charges by Clyburn, the NAACP’s Lonnie Randolph and former state Sen. Kay Patterson that criticism leveled against Lillian McBride is racist. People like Reps. Mia Butler Garrick and Todd Rutherford question McBride’s ability in running elections, not her race.

Yes, Mr. Clyburn, critics of McBride are using “coded language” when they say McBride is incompetent. When they say that, what they really mean is: “She doesn’t know what she is doing.”

Don Evans

Lexington