LETTERS — Reality of racism, defunding police dubious, and inflation bites

Racism shouldn’t be concept

​​It’s so dishonest and absurd that cynical U.S. political figures are obsessing about banning the instructing or dialogue of a concept of racism and racial discrimination in U.S. historical past. 

It’s the details of racism and racial discrimination, bigotry and violence, not some concept, which have prompted a lot hurt and tragedy in America and that People do have to confront of their training, outlook and lives. 

Slavery was a truth, not a concept. Lynchings of Blacks, burnings of Black communities and the homicide of their residents have been details, not theories. 

Jim Crow legal guidelines and practices to suppress Black voting have been details, not theories. The murderous Ku Klux Klan was not a concept; its terrorism was actual. 

Segregation was an unsightly truth in residing reminiscence, not a concept. The civil rights wrestle and Martin Luther King Jr.’s management of it, and his assassination due to that work, have been historic details, not somebody’s theoretical assemble. 

All these details are accessible each day in hundreds of historic works, novels, performs, movies, documentaries, newscasts and the testimony and recollections of residing individuals who have been subjected to them. Making an attempt to ban them from colleges is grossly silly, cowardly, misguided and doomed to failure.

Bob Howse, HRM

Defunding report dodgy

The defunding police report offered to the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners is problematic in a number of respects for Halifax (Jan. 17 story).

The survey outcomes depend on a “self-reporting” pattern technique. These in favour of defunding can be motivated to self-report, thus skewing the outcomes. A failure to confess that is disingenuous on the a part of defunding proponents.

Individuals with disabilities are cited on this report. This, too, is deceptive as a result of this marginalized group shouldn’t be exploited as a prop by defunding advocates. Individuals with disabilities weren’t consulted as a bunch within the compilation of this report.

An in depth learn reveals that the defunding police report goes far past the subject of police; its scope resembles a far-reaching manifesto. As such, its calls for for radical social change extra suitably belong in an election platform.

Mary MacDonald, Halifax

Police danger their lives

Within the wake of the “defunding the police” report, police and HRM need to attempt to make issues a bit higher for all. 

However be aware of what occurred just lately in New York City, the place a policeman was killed and one other one was clinging to life. Each officers have been responding to a home criticism. HRM shouldn’t be New York, nevertheless it goes to point out police put their lives on the road each time they go to work. 

Defunding the police has been talked about all through the U.S., and to some extent right here in Canada, however we’re seeing an increase in crime in each nations. 

We might not agree with a number of the ways utilized by police — and that may be addressed — however they’re nonetheless right here to maintain all residents protected.  

Gregory Boudreau, Halifax

Squeezed by inflation

Consultants advised us to prepare for meals value will increase, and since they began predicting that, the meals barons have certainly adopted go well with.

However actually, is a 20 per cent hike justified?  Superstore, for instance, used to promote scorching roast chickens for $10 every (rounding up a penny from the ticket value of $9.99). Now they cost $12. Their double-packs of sliced ham have been $5, now all of the sudden $6. 

And don’t get any of us began on the ten per cent-plus property evaluation will increase, so tax payments will comply with go well with, plus a tax charge enhance. Elevate your hand, anybody who’s obtained a ten per cent-plus pay or pension enhance these days. 

These appear to be all for windfall earnings. We haven’t even began repaying our authorities coffers for the COVID bills. 

Can’t anticipate that to start out! Properly, really, I can.

Val Bradshaw, Dartmouth

Artwork gallery a luxurious

I’d wish to remark in your Jan. 22 article about funding for a brand new artwork gallery in Halifax, which is predicted to value — gulp — $130 million! And, oh sure, let’s put it on Decrease Water Road. If historical past is any information, prices will balloon.

Folks can’t afford respectable rental housing; neglect proudly owning their very own dwelling. Then there are the homeless. 

The price of meals is skyrocketing, together with gasoline and most different requirements. Individuals are with out physicians. There’s a nursing scarcity. Nursing properties are unsafe and understaffed.

Want I’m going on? You get the image.

HRM’s 5.9 per cent tax enhance doesn’t cowl any expenditure for an artwork gallery, however we “want” a “new” one.

We have already got an artwork gallery. Sure, possibly it wants upgrades. However like every thing that will get worn down, the angle is “let’s throw it out.”  Don’t neglect, our wasteful methods are killing

our planet.

Sadly, it’s the means of society at the moment. 

Nesta Yeo, Little Harbour

Deserted by Scotiabank

Three extra Nova Scotia rural branches are falling sufferer to Scotiabank’s newest purge. Branches in Westville and Sydney Mines are closing and so is ours in Sheet Harbour. It’s been serving its clients all through the Jap Shore for over 100 years and is the one Scotiabank inside 100 kilometres. 

Based on Scotiabank, our department is just being “relocated” to the following closest department in Truro, a 1.5-hour drive away. Scotiabank is sorry for the inconvenience this causes, however they’ll assist clients transition to digital banking. 

It could be fascinating to see the decision-makers in Toronto drive the 100 kilometres to Truro over tough, back-country roads to pay their payments, entry a security deposit field and do their day-to-day banking, or attempt to financial institution digitally in areas the place web and cellphone service is sketchy at the most effective of instances and rarely an possibility for seniors. 

I additionally have no idea of any dwelling computer systems or cell telephones capable of act as an ATM and spew out the money nonetheless mandatory or most popular for a lot of transactions in rural areas. 

One is left questioning if the massive banks do their homework once they shut rural branches and place unrealistic expectations on their loyal clients. Or is it that they merely don’t care?

David Maynard, Spry Bay

Sound and flurry

After studying your Jan. 13 article about snowplows, I needed to ship a observe. I dwell on Freeway 209 in Cumberland County, roughly 35 miles from the plow shed. The plow goes by right here with a load of salt and returns with the identical load. I’m wondering how a lot is being placed on the street. 

As an apart, I’m wondering how a lot it prices taxpayers each time a provincial division adjustments its title — e.g., from Pure Assets to Lands and Forestry. For brand new uniforms and stationery, and many others., it should value fairly a bit.

Don Fletcher, New Salem