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Letter: Bigotry alive, well at ball game

September 18, 2008

Dear Editor,

I've had a lot of time to think about what I was going to say in this letter, and each time I get a sad feeling in my soul that bigotry and ignorance is still alive. This is in reference to the Danville-Boyle County rivalry game.

I went to Danville High School, and the rivalry was there, but it was was nowhere near what it has progressed to today. So to begin our history lesson - for those of you who threw cotton at Admiral Stadium last year and thought it was OK this year to wear the T-shirts that said "100 percent cotton", - slavery was abolished many years ago, so my mother didn't pick cotton. I am 40 years old. I didn't pick cotton, and my children didn't pick cotton.

I guess they associated the African-American race with cotton because maybe that is all they know. But read on or Google search a little further and you will find that there were several African-American civic leaders, inventors etc.

African-American people are beautiful. We are rich in heritage, and we are proud, from the way we worship to the way we want our children to succeed. For those who thought that it was OK to "boo" our players and cheerleaders when they entered the stadium, and who clapped, not when my son got up, but when he was down, I say that which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

There are African-American children at school, and they have feelings, too. And the "N" word has no place in this society. It doesn't mean African-American, it is an ignorant person.

I am overwhelmed and happy when I come past Centre and I see another, different minority face from the year before. That lets me know Centre is moving forward and moving on. Whatever backlash or response I get from this in a negative way can't compare to what we have endured thus far. I am proud of my race, heritage and proud to be an Admiral.

Yolanda ElmoreDanville

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