Editor, The Smithfield Times:

I often think to myself, My God, my God, what has happened to this country?

Americans have been known to have empathy and compassion for others. How did we lose our moral compasses, values and integrity? I am not going to blame the current occupant of the White House because these sentiments have been there for a long time. But, today, it seems to have just manifested what people have been thinking for years.

We are all human beings and we should respect the rights of all people. You may wonder why I use the term current occupant of the White House. It is because he has declared that he is not the leader of all Americans. I am distressed when I read about the violence and hatred directed toward Blacks and people of color.

We know who he is, but the question is: Who are we? It shouldn’t be Blue States or Red States; we are the United States. You don’t have to like people because of their color, but it is not right for you to infringe on others’ rights.

As of this writing, we have lost over 205,000 people due to COVID-19, and the numbers are increasing each day. In our county, we have lost many of our family members, friends and associates due to COVID-19. COVID-19 is not a hoax.

We are even kept in the dark about the impact of Smithfield Foods on the community. We need to know who has tested positive or died from COVID-19. We can’t defend ourselves against what we don’t know. We are not asking for names but numbers.

We all need to practice the three W’s: Wear a mask, wash your Hands, and watch your distance. We can’t depend on anyone to save or protect us; we must protect ourselves and each other.

If you think wearing a mask infringes upon your freedoms, think what will happen in an autocracy. The signs are as follows: (1) create crisis and extend executive power; (2) repress dissent and citizens’ efforts to hold government accountable; (3) capture elite support and. when needed, demonize them too; (4) appeal to populism and nationalism to control information at home; misinform abroad; (5) cripple the opposition; (6) covert election manipulation; (7) play the emergency card; (8) extend model and influence.

I task each of you to examine these signs and decide if you want to live like this. We have time to stop this and implore everyone to put their prejudices aside before it is too late. Most importantly, adhere to the Constitution, which is the law of the Land.

 

Brenda Carter

Smithfield