To:
Subject: Re: Adele Fergusen
Date: Mar 15, 2006 8:59 PM
Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your concerns about the
opinion piece by Adele Ferguson.
We have received more than 1,500 emails (and still counting) since it
hit many major blogs yesterday. We originally attempted to respond to
all who contacted us, and engage in dialogue with those that answered
those responses. However, at this point, the sheer volume of email has
made continuing to do so impossible.
Our position on this matter is simple: Ms. Ferguson's column is
editorial material we buy, and are contractually obligated to run,
unedited. We don't condone the point of view expressed by Ms. Ferguson,
but we do believe in the First Amendment which which celebrates free
speech and diversity of thought. While Ms. Ferguson has the right to
express her opinion, it's just that, HER opinion.
Unequivocally, it does NOT reflect the opinion of the management or
ownership of the Business Journal, and we offer a sincere apology to
those who took offense to it.
>Dear Editor,
>
>The opinion/editorial piece entitled, "Why do blacks continue to support
Democrats?", by Adele Fergusen, has to be one of the most vile, small-minded
texts I have ever seen. I truly hope that this was written facetiously, because
it is shocking to read such bigotry outside of white supremicist tracts. Does the
author honestly believe that enslaving Africans was God's plan to bring them to
America? If so, perhaps she would enjoy being kidnapped, stolen from her family
and home, tortured on an inhumane ocean voyage, sold into servitude, raped, and
beaten at the whim of a white owner. Perhaps she would then enjoy being separated
from her children as they are sold like cattle to another owner. Perhaps she would
like to endure a century and a half of being treated like a second class citizen
who is denied equal opportunities for housing, education, jobs, and health care.
>
>I also cannot understand what would possess your journal to publish such devisive
filth. I think that you owe a number of apologies on this one. And while it is
difficult to teach old dogs new tricks, Ms. Fergusen would benefit from some enlightenment.
>
>
>
>
--
Lary Coppola, Editor & Publisher
The Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal
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