In letters: Readers speak out about ‘white pride’ banner on SLO County overpass | Opinion

Why the masks?

I write in response to the May 15, 2023, headline, above the fold, about the “white pride” banner on the 101 overpass. If the men displaying it are so proud, why are they wearing masks? What exactly are they proud of? That by accident of birth they were born white and male?

This issue is personal to me. I am a white woman with brown grandchildren. My 20-year-old grandson revealed to me over the weekend that he was recently called the “n word” by someone passing by in a kayak as he and his friends enjoyed themselves at Lake Nacimiento.

I can’t describe the depth of my anger over that thoughtless, hateful word directed at anyone, let alone at my precious grandchild. It appears to me that word is used by the same group of people who find it necessary to display “white pride” banners, and who apparently subscribe to the “limited good stuff” theory — that if a brown or black person gains something, it means a loss to them. I feel a shame for those banner-waving bigots, a shame they are apparently incapable of feeling themselves.

Valerie Ryall Hosford, Morro Bay

Supremacists are a threat

The Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration concluded that white supremacy was the greatest domestic threat to our homeland. We heard crickets from Republicans.

Later, the Biden administration concluded the same, and we recently heard Biden repeat this in his passionate speech at Howard University (cue Republicans having pearl-clutching conniptions). Dear Republicans, if you’re upset with Joe Biden for saying this, you’re telling on yourselves. You’re no better than the pathetic MAGAs on freeway overpasses with their ridiculous white pride banners.

Mary Donnelly, San Luis Obispo

Inappropriate banner

Recently, a banner stating “Embrace White Pride” was displayed on a Templeton overpass. I believe that this was an inappropriate banner since we are all human beings,

Originally skin color protected us from hot climates, resulting in darker skin color. Those from colder climates have lighter skin color. It is just skin deep. We have blotchy pink people and different shades of brown and tan. The only people who are actually “white” are albinos.

What is the underlying issue? It is insecurity, resulting in the need to feel superior.

Those protesters needed to hide behind masks. How sad.

We are rich because of our diversity and democracy.

Livia Kellerman, Atascadero

‘Nutty’ editorial

What a nutty editorial you allowed to be printed on May 2. White pride is not a euphemism for white supremacy. The woke agenda is to divide all Americans into little groups that hate each other. Your editorial was full of hate towards anyone who disagrees with your mistaken opinions. And you had a lot of them.

I’m sorry to hear that white people are no longer welcome in SLO County. And I kinda like it here.

Deborah Torre, Nipomo

Kudos for SLO Sheriff’s Rodeo

My wife and I attended the Sheriff’s Rodeo in Paso Robles at the Mid-State Fairgrounds on May 13. I’ve been to almost every rodeo held in Paso Robles for the last 14 years and also dating back to 1958 as a contestant at the fair.

I can tell you that Sheriff Ian Parkinson and some of his deputies, such as Chad Nicholson, put on a very entertaining rodeo. Hats off to Ian and Chad and all the people who helped put on the most organized rodeo held in Paso Robles and one of the most entertaining events I’ve ever attended. The price was only $10 a person, kids 12 and under were free and parking was just $5. The rodeo was sold out and the announcer was great. For the contestants who won, no holds barred for the prizes and rewards, they were top of the line. Besides cash prizes, other prizes were embossed with San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Rodeo such as belt buckles, RTIC ice chests and more.

The announcers introduced Kristen Smart’s parents and family, as well as Chris Lambert, who recounted the case in his Your Own Backyard podcast, and the detectives who worked the case.

It was more than just a rodeo, clearly the Sheriff’s Department is here to uphold the law and to keep us safe from criminals like Paul Flores. There was a concert after the rodeo. For all the people who helped put this event together, congratulations to all of you.

Gene Johe, San Luis Obispo

Reparations

I’m responding to the May 10 and May 12, 2023, articles on California reparations for slavery. I don’t agree that reparations are in order for past behavior that happened many generations ago. I don’t believe providing a monetary solution can ever resolve this issue.

J.A. Fox, San Luis Obispo

Mass shootings

With 200+ mass shootings so far this year, this nation’s misinterpretation of the Second Amendment is a death sentence – suicide.

While lawmakers mumble incoherently about faulty mental health and background checks, the truth is that hoards of weapons flood our streets. Recently noted criminologist James Densley stated on national media that mental health isn’t the dominant problem. In reality, mental health records, if there are any, are private. He knows the motivations behind the shootings need to be studied, but with the shooters always being killed that is difficult.

More difficult than making laws to limit sales is the problem of weapons of war already owned by a public that is frightened and irresponsible. What is needed is a creative solution to get them out of private ownership. Limiting sales to over 21-year-olds doesn’t make any sense. A 21-year-old finger can pull a trigger as quickly as any other age finger.

Day after day the news media reports more gun violence until it is beginning to seem commonplace. It is time for the federal government to override states’ rights, make laws for the entire country, and see that they are enforced without the sale of any assault weapons. Our homeland and freedom are dying — and not slowly.

J. F. Langton, Templeton

Close Diablo Canyon

I am responding to the letter to The Tribune about Diablo Canyon. My daughter was just out of college and we were living in the Los Angeles area when she traveled to SLO to protest the building of Diablo Canyon. When my husband and I moved here in 1985 it was already built and we joined an organization that was working to close Diablo Canyon.

Finally, the decision was made to close the nuclear plant. Now it seems that because we are not moving fast enough to create the energy we need without Diablo Canyon we may end up with its continued existence! We need to move much more quickly than we thought we needed to. We know what can produce energy. We have the technology: solar panels, wind and water power.

We need to put our money and efforts into increasing the building and use of those sources.

Please, I beg our state and county governments to not put off this necessary work. Close down Diablo and move toward slowing down and eliminating the dangers of climate change.

Maggie Fertschneider, Atascadero

‘Safe parkers’ are taking advantage

This is concerning those folks have who taken advantage of the COVID pandemic “safe parking” policy that allowed them to park their RVs or trailers for free the past two years in our county.

Please understand those accommodations were a temporary measure due to extraordinary circumstances, and never intended to be permanent. There already are existing designated parking areas for RVs and campers. I believe they’re called RV parks.

In the past, I have been in a similar situation and had to resort to sleeping in my car. I wasn’t given any leeway when I tried to park and sleep, and had to park at the top of Cuesta Grade or the rest area near Shandon.

I find it difficult to find sympathy for those folks wanting free safe parking, especially for their gas-guzzling house on wheels. There is a reason why they are called recreational vehicles, and last I heard they don’t qualify for a zip code.

Charles Bird, Los Osos