As a democracy, we need to push back against the LR5 removal of book, a reader writes

Push Back

On our state’s seal is the motto, “Prepared in mind and resources”. Yet, we are not all living up to this ideal as this past week Lexington-Richland School District 5 pulled a resource from its libraries. This item is the picture book, “Black is a Rainbow Color”. The storybook is about a young girl who shares information about the beauty of Black culture and history. The book references historic figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Mamie Till-Mobley along with the idea that while black in not a color in the rainbow, as a culture it offers an array of beauty. The decision to remove a book about the beauty Black culture is offensive. An equally odious practice is that seemingly, one concern is enough to enact the district’s Library/Media Center Materials Reconsideration Process. The last time our state banned books was 1859 when any book that included an anti-slavery stance was made illegal. As citizens of a democracy, we need to push back against the removal of such books and the policies that make this possible. It is only through such actions that our children will be well prepared in mind and resources.

Meir Muller, Columbia

Deputy pay raise

The last time I heard when I call 911 to say we are being robbed, the Richland County Council members do NOT come to my rescue. I live in the country & the sheriff’s department comes to my rescue. I agree with Sheriff Leon Lott that his officers need a pay raise. The greed of our Council is beyond belief. Do they need new cushions to sit on? Do they not realize how high the crime rate is?

Annie Bates, Irmo

Thanks Gov.

I figured I’d take a break from unpacking my new house to say thanks to Governor McMaster and his staff who helped me with a problem dealing with the SCDMV. After trying to get a simple address change online with the Department of Motor Vehicles I was at my wits end fighting the site that was supposed to be a simple process to make the change.

I spent over and hour trying every which way to post my address including rebooting the site off and on to no avail. Every time I put in my social security number it was rejected. Considering I’ve had one since I was about 14 years old some 60 years ago and knowing it by heart, I knew it wasn’t me that was making a mistake, which prompted me to contact the Governor.

I was given a number to call to change my address on 2 vehicles and in less than a few minutes it was done. A few days later I figured I check to see if my driver’s license was changed and was told I would have to go online for a new license. Not knowing exactly how to go about it, a different lady took me through the steps, which resulted in me getting my new license. I have to say thanks to all.

Gregory J. Topliff, Aiken

Control

As the mid-term elections progress, ignorant male politicians who are obsessed with reproductive organs still argue over the best way to keep women in their control. They love their guns and are willing to sacrifice thousands of lives a year for the right to own and use them because “the Constitution,” but they fail to see that abortion and contraception rights are self-defense for women. Pregnancy and childbirth can be fatal, and an unwelcome child can destroy a woman’s future. These politicians forget about the precious fetus as soon as it becomes an expensive child — then it’s a matter of let the woman lose her job, let the kid starve, let them lose their home, that’s none of my business, just don’t raise my taxes! Politicians are the worst people to make rules for women’s health. Period.

Carol Robinson, West Columbia