The important history lessons of Freedom Summer | Letters

My generation

What an enduring gift retired columnist Bill Maxwell is to Florida and beyond. He gives us so much to think about. I have his latest book (as yet unread) on my nightstand. In light of this essay, it will be moved to the top of the pile. It is disturbing to read that so much of the humiliation, pain and disrespect perpetrated on those who should have been equal members of our society was done by members of my generation. I am 81, and it is with no small amount of shame that I recall some of my own feelings and opinions 60 years ago. Fast-forward to today and one cannot help but be struck and embarrassed by the words “nor shall American history from 1860 to 1875 be taught.” Would that our Legislature and governor upon reading that felt embarrassment and shame at what they have done and tried to do.

Terry Roy, St. Petersburg

Will history repeat?

Revisiting Freedom Summer | Perspective, June 9

I wish everyone would read Bill Maxwell’s column and note that the events he describes happened only six decades ago. That’s the wink of an eye in history. They should especially know the real meaning of “Freedom Summer” and not the purloined, bastardized version of the term deployed by our governor. This is the same dude who made a big show of “rehabilitating” the long-dead Groveland Four in the first months of his governorship — and for what? I believe it was for a cynical deception of all voters as to his “good intentions” toward Black Floridians. That didn’t last long. Any illusion of sincerity in that pose has been overwhelmed by the tsunami of racist disempowerment of Florida’s Black communities and voters that he has authored, along with his willing party. They should read about the deprivation of Black students by the racists of that era, who denied those students worthy schools, books and education, especially about their own history in North America. It uncomfortably echoes what I see happening in Florida today.

Steve Douglas, St. Petersburg

Having a catch

Father’s Day

When I was growing up in Orlando in the early 1960s — before it became the big city it is today — the Minnesota Twins played spring training games in a little bandbox of a park called Tinker Field. One time my father told me to go up and get Harmon Killebrew’s autograph. Well, he was the biggest guy I ever saw in person, and I was afraid of him, but he turned out to be a very gentle and nice man. There’s a story attributed to Harmon Killebrew about a time he was playing in the front yard with his father and his brother. His mom came out to tell them it was time for dinner and admonished them for tearing up the grass. “We’re not raising grass,” his father replied. “We’re raising boys.” Some of our fondest memories are of our dads playing ball with us in the yard. Just remember that when your father says he doesn’t want anything for Father’s Day, what he means is that he wants a hug, a meal together, a “thanks, Dad” and “I love you.” And he wants to know how you are doing because you mean the world to him.

Charles Michael Sitero, Ormond Beach

An odds-on favorite

Trump gives that whole ‘company you keep’ thing a gonzo makeover | Column, June 9

It’s always a good Sunday when a Daniel Ruth column appears. Where else can you get a Keyser Soze reference? A humorous take on all things Donald Trump is one of life’s necessities. But beneath the laughs is the dark underlying subtext that currently besets this nation. A man whom I think has little shame or belief in adherence to the law or the Constitution creates a peril to the nation not seen since the Civil War era. Of course, he will march out useful props like the nefarious rappers to show his fake street cred. And with some polls showing 20% favoritism by Black men, why shouldn’t he? It’s all a win since his base will never leave him. Trump followers may be the strongest coalition of voters for one candidate in recent history. Most dangerously, there are nefarious minions willing to march lockstep with him to the White House, ready to follow through with any whim this authoritarian desires. And at this point, his march to the White House looks like an odds-on favorite.

William Falcone, Brandon

Handling the truth

Trump gives that whole ‘company you keep’ thing a gonzo makeover | Column, June 9

Usually Daniel Ruth is very sarcastic and funny, eliciting chuckles. His past column was the truth — and scary.

David Lubin, Tampa

Stay in your lane

When political rivals meet up | June 9

The Times reports that the Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said he has long had concerns about the former state attorney’s philosophy. Oh for the days of yore when police officers just enforced the law and provided public safety. Now our chief law enforcement officer makes political statements, like his “concerns” about another elected official’s “philosophy.” How ‘bout going back to when everyone stayed in their own lane? Let the voters choose the best candidate for each separate but equally important office.

Robert White, Valrico

I don’t like this deal

Perfect can’t be the enemy of abundant good with the Rays-Gas Plant project | Column, June 9

In my view, this deal is neither perfect nor abundantly good. It needs to be renegotiated. In addition to the one-sided cost requirements, with little or no return for years, there are few guarantees for the promised community benefits, no way to determine who exactly the city of St. Petersburg is dealing with, and little solid way to terminate the agreement, if there is a need to. At the moment, this supposed “public-private partnership” is balanced against the public.

Hal Freedman, St. Petersburg

Why we don’t care

Just read several letters to the Tampa Bay Times on Sunday from whining Democrats regarding the legal charges that have been plaguing former President Donald Trump. They seem surprised that nearly all Trump supporters don’t care about the legal problems and will vote for him regardless of how all of it shakes out. How can they expect an informed voter would not see how political and partisan these charges and trials are? I would challenge these letter writers to answer one question: In January 2021 if Donald Trump had dropped out of politics altogether, would any of these latest charges even have been filed?

Doug Hardin, Dade City

Checks for thee, not me

President Joe Biden’s son Hunter is convicted of 3 felonies in gun case | June 12

I find it funny that the folks against any background checks for purchasing guns are some of those who are celebrating Hunter Biden’s conviction for inaccurately filling out a background check for purchasing a gun.

Joseph Brown, Tampa