OPINION
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The Chronicle I
Ernest H. Pitt
Publisher Emeritus
1974-2015
. 617 N. Liberty Street
* 336-722-8624 I 42 V
www.wschronicle.com
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Elaine Pitt
Donna Rogers
Wali D. Pitt
Business Manager
Managing Editor
Digital Manager
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Uur Mission
The Chronicle is dedicated to serving the
residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County
by giving voice to the voiceless, speaking truth
to power, standing for integrity and
encouraging open communication and
lively debate throughout the community.
Tweet it:
We're making
Black History
Although Black History month is. over, we still
should be studying Black History.
Acknowledging individuals is fine, but we need
to study Black History with emphasis on the history.
We need to study strides African-Americans have
made over the course of time. That could help us
now, as we make Black History.
Look at what African-Americans are doing:
?In South Carolina, African-Americans came out
in droves - more than 80 percent -to support Hillary
Clinton in the Democratic primary, showing political
muscle.
?In North Carolina, at least nine African
Americans are running for statewide offices in the
Democratic primary. Ken Spaulding, who has been
endorsed by The Chronicle and the Winston-Salem
Journal, is running for governor. (Will African
Americans in this state come out to vote like they did
in South Carolina?)
?President Obama, the first African-American
president in the almost 240 years of the United States
of America, was voted into office for two terms on
the strength of African-Americans, whose forefa
thers mostly were slaves. Now, President Obama has
the chance to appoint a U.S. Supreme Court Justice
that could be an African-American woman, which
would make more Black History. If that person is
Loretta Lynch, that would make North Carolina his
tory as well.
African-Americans have weathered the storms
America has thrown at us. We are still here. We are
facing new storms.'Are we ready?
Our forefathers fought so hard to get and keep the
right to vote. Why did they have to do that when the
15th Amendment gives us African-American men
the right to vote and the 19th Amendment gives
women the right to vote? Why are we fighting over
this now, in the 21st century?
The amendments have been presented with this
editorial for you to savor. We are Americans. Don't
let anyone tell you that you can't make Black
History. Now, go tweet that!
United States Constitution
15th Amendment
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States
to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United
States or by any State on account of race, color, or pre
vious condition of servitude.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to
enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
19th Amendment
The right of citizens of the United States to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or
by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
John Larson
understands
neighborhoods;
Vote for him
To The Editor:
As a long-term engaged resident
in the South Ward, I strongly support
and endorse John Larson for City
Council. John Larson has a long his
tory at Old Salem and understands
the significance of preservation.
Preservation translates into advocat
ing the integrity
of "neighborhoods" in South
Winston-Salem and throughout the
entire city. Having' strong, healthy
neighborhoods are paramount quali
ty-of-life issues. Careful planning
prevents uncontrolled commercial
sprawl encroaching into residential
neighborhoods causing increased
unnecessary traffic, potential crime
and lower property values. John
Larson is a voice of reason, is com
munity oriented, listens to con
stituents' concerns, does not talk over
people, does not create divisive
ness, unites people together and is
committed to ensuring together, we
grow a vibrant,
enhanced, livable community for
ALL citizens. John Larson cares that
quality growth with diverse indus
try occurs in Winston-Salem with
good-paying jobs created. John
Larson is available, approachable
and! genuinely interested that all voic
es are heard and valued without put
ting political ambition above our
neighborhoods! For protecting
stronger, healthier neighborhoods
Please vote JOHN LARSON for
Winston-Salem City Council (South
Ward) in the March 15 primary.
Brian L. Allison
Winston-Salem
frustrating it can be. C
On Dec. 31, 1989,1 married and
in January we filed our first tax c?
return. The person who prepared our st
taxes assumed what my last name st
would be, but when I applied for my ai
new Social Security card, I decided N
to hyphenate my maiden and married e<
names. b;
Years later when we moved, 1 re
took time off work to go to the DMV
to get my address changed. I noticed si
(too late) that my last name was not ej
hyphenated. I requested that they al
reissue my driver's license with my b;
correct K
name, li<
but was
? told to pi
| c o m e di
back el
| a n d D
brine a C
document proving my name ^fes d<
hyphenated (and pay again).
The next week I again took time re
off work and after a lengthy wait, pi
presented my Social Security card tr
and was told that they didn't accept a pi
government-issued Social Security m
card as identification! I was given a p<
form to have notarized. yi
Not to be deterred, I took MORE ci
time off work to go to the bank to s<
have the form notarized, at which yi
time the officer asked for a photo ID
- my driver's license! I went back to P
the DMV for the third time. It took
12 hours off work and $20 to get a P
hyphen in my last name.
As for the IRS, after 26 years I
have yet to get them to correct my
name.
I can only imagine what people
may have to go through to get a
photo ID. I suggest they vote by
absentee ballot.
Judie Holcomb-Pack
arolina.
Your city council, school board,
ounty commissioners, state repre
mtatives, state senators, U.S. repre
mtatives, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr
id Governor Pat McCrory turned
orth Carolina from a progressive
iucational state to the butt of jokes
y late night comedians and some
ispected news outlets.
Most of the "shady" money
telled out to influence those
itreme conservatives and "honor
)le" elected officers was provided
y billionaires Charles and David'
och and our homeboy "little" mil- _
on aire Art Pope.
We must vote in the March 15
rimary election to choose the candi
ite to represent us in the general
ection. Example: As a registered
?emocrat, I can only vote for Hillary
linton or Bemie Sanders for presi-.
mt.
If you did not take the time to
:search the candidates and issues,
lease ask advice from someone you
ust. It may be wise to ask three peo
le and choose the one that got the
tost votes, then see how well that
:rson or issue will change you and
our family in a positive way. You
in take a list into the voting booth,
) write down the names and issues
ou plan to vote for.
YOU CANT USE YOUR CELL
HONE IN THE VOTING BOOTH.
Call three or more progressive
^^PAIGN^
Photo ID woes
can cause hours
away from work
To the Editor:
Getting a photo ID may sound
easy, but anyone who has ever sat for
hours in the DMV should know how
I
p
Voting leads to S
transformation ?
and empowerment ?
nr
To the Editor:
The problems of gentrification, s<
gerrymandering and voter suppres- al
sion: We progressives are suffering. f<
We have been researched, planned, v
prayed over, voted on and passed by a]
the following individuals, governing si
boards and elected officials in North
eople to go vote with you. Vote
irly to avoid the long lines and pos
ble rain or emergency on Election
>ay.
Our local black newspapers are
le best places to find true informa
on on the candidates and issues,
lease support them by buying ads,.
lemorials and subscriptions.
Exodus 18:21 (paraphrased) But
:lect capable men and women from
11 the people, men and women who
:ar GOD, trustworthy men and
'omen who hate dishonest gain, and
ppoint them as officers over thou
inds, hundreds, fifties and tens.
' James J. Hankins
Wilmington
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