TERRE HAUTE —
Some still don’t understand presence of pervasive racism
I carefully read Mr. Edward Kesler’s comments published in this forum in this newspaper on April 22. I then re-read the previously published comments by Ms. Hart-Craig (to which Mr. Kesler refers extensively in his comments), as well as Sister Mary Beth Klingels comments (to which Mr. Kesler briefly alludes) published the following week. After reviewing the letters by Ms. Hart-Craig and Sister Mary Beth, I once again reviewed Mr. Kesler’s comments.
After reading and re-reading all three letters, one could only come to the clear and obvious conclusion that Mr. Kesler’s comments are just one more example of white men in positions of influence and power just not getting it, the “it” in this case being the pervasive long-term existence of racism in this society. As such, Mr. Kesler’s comments are simply not worthy of consideration or further commentary, although I would add that it seems that the only apparent reason that such inflammatory remarks (such as those by Mr. Kesler) are even considered for publication is because this newspaper follows what is to this writer a commendable policy of providing a no-holds-barred open forum based on the First Amendment to our American Constitution.
One closing comment about the content of Mr. Kesler’s letter: It is my opinion and the opinion of those several people who have reviewed this draft, that Mr. Kesler owes Mr. Hart-Craig an apology for characterizing her remarks as “despicable”, in this writer’s view, an overly harsh and possibly even vituperative term, and then a second apology for demanding an apology from Ms. Craig-Hart to “everyone in the Wabash Valley” for even writing her letter.
In the meantime, a young 15-year old boy, described by no less a person than our president as “possibly looking like (his) own son, if he had one” lies dead, and a loving family, full of hopes and dreams like almost any family for their son, is devastated. Both are victims of — yes, Mr. Kesler — the racism which so completely pervades every aspect and level of our society, and from which no person of color, no matter how highly accomplished and placed, up to and even including our president and his family, can escape.
— Earle L. Harvey
Terre Haute
Thanks for help in emergency
To the man on the motorcycle who stopped to help me at Indiana 246 and U.S. 41 on May 16: I was incoherent and didn’t know where I was, due to a medical problem.
He helped my husband get me off the highway out of the traffic and into the back seat so he could get me to the emergency room.
I am so thankful for the help, but didn’t get the man’s name so I could thank him. I feel like he was my guardian angel. To know that there are still people like that around is a blessing. I thank you a thousand times. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
— Rita Gormong
Terre Haute




