08/16/01

Dees: Garrett not racist in ruling:

The criticism by some African-American leaders about Judge James Garrett's decision on Bobby Frank Cherry is misplaced and dangerous.

These critics surely applauded Garrett's decision to allow questionable, secret FBI tapes to be used against Thomas Blanton, a co-defendant in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing. Judge Garrett clearly and courageously stretched the law to permit their use at trial.

From all appearances, Judge Garrett tried hard to make a fair and just ruling on Mr. Cherry's competency. He even had a court-appointed doctor examine the accused. The doctor felt Cherry was not competent to assist his counsel.

To imply that Judge Garrett is a racist because of his decision is a disservice to all the civil rights movement represents. Most African-American judges I have appeared before would probably have ruled the same.

I can understand the hurt and frustration of the dead children's families. But even when we believe someone is guilty does not mean his legal rights can be shunted aside. To do so would be to revert to the lawless days of Jim Crow.

Screaming racism when none exists sets an awful example for young African-Americans desperately looking for leadership and role models.

Morris S. Dees

Chief trial counsel

Southern Poverty

Law Center

Montgomery

Not all lawyers support Garrett:

I am writing in response to the Aug. 10 letter concerning the Birmingham Bar Association's "unequivocal support" of Judge James Garrett in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church case.

I have been a member of the Birmingham Bar Association since 1992. I want to be "unequivocal" that the group's president does not speak for me on this issue. It seems to me the Birmingham Bar should take no position on this issue and let the legal (and political) process work it all out.

In my opinion, protesters are not calling Judge Garrett racist or even biased. I think they are saying the ruling is unjust and, quite frankly, wrong.

Although Judge Garrett may stand on very solid legal ground, his ruling clearly denies the families of those four little girls their day in court. Cherry should not enjoy the benefits of time simply because he managed to evade justice for the past 40 years.

Finally, I believe the letter's comment about the neutrality of judges to be quite naive. They cannot be expected to keep their personal biases from creeping into their decisions.

The Birmingham Bar is not "unequivocal" in its support of Judge Garrett. However, some of us are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and have faith that ultimately justice will be served.

Floyd D. Gaines

Downtown

Blacks better off here than Africa:

Why the continued vindictiveness over slavery and the demand for restitution?

Many arguments on slavery erroneously apply today's values to those of a time of lesser civility. Along with slavery, consider the terrible fate of Native Americans at the hands of our forefathers. Even more recently, we were shamefully comfortable denying women the right to vote. Do Indians and women also deserve restitution?

Blacks today understandably feel residual effects of the trauma experienced by their forefathers. But they also enjoy a quality of life, freedoms and wealth far exceeding that of the descendants of their African kin who escaped slavery.

Wouldn't it be interesting to witness a reunion of the descendants of American slaves and their relatives who remain in Africa to date? How revealing would be the discussion of contrasts in quality of life, freedoms, wealth, discrimination and the need for restitution. An "Oprah Moment" for sure.

Armond "Si" Simmons

Pell City

All Southerners due reparations:

I read where the Southern Christian Leadership Conference at its national meeting in Montgomery vowed to continue their push for reparations over the enslavement of blacks of 140 years ago.

More than 600,000 Americans of the North and South, plus an untold number of civilians, have already paid this so-called debt with their lives during the Civil War years.

However, if the federal government ever sees fit to pay this mythical debt to the descendants of slaves, perhaps it should make this a clean sweep and really clear our national conscience by paying for all of the destruction and thievery it committed against Southerners during the war and Reconstruction. After all, we all deserve equal fairness in America, don't we?

Billy E. Price

Ashville

Confederate pride baffles newcomer:

I recently relocated to Birmingham from another part of the country. I've read several articles, letters and editorials referring to individuals who express pride in their Confederate heritage.

Can someone explain this to me?

This seems a little like a German being proud of his part in World War II. The Confederacy tried to destroy the United States of America. Are these people proud of this? Do they really believe that we would have been better off had the Confederacy won the Civil War?

What exactly are they proud of? I'd sincerely like to know.

Jill Taquino

North Shelby County

City's streets not treacherous:

For as long as I've lived in Birmingham, I've been amazed at the fear with which white residents regard certain parts of the city. The most recent example appeared recently in a letter in your paper.

The writer said black people are more apt to commit crimes than whites. Rather than citing proof, he challenged state Rep. Alvin Holmes, who has criticized the high rate of black incarceration, to walk through certain Birmingham neighborhoods after midnight.

I can't speak for Rep. Holmes, but I would take the challenge. I have often traveled the city alone after dark, and have never encountered any sort of threat. I have always found people who were kind, peaceable and helpful.

Of course, if your only contact with the city is through your television set, you might get the idea that only terrible things happen here. But if people are going to use that to excuse racism in our prison system, then it's time to clear the air.

If strolling around town after midnight will prove something, then this white boy will be glad to do it. Just name your neighborhood. And try not to be too surprised when nothing happens.

Robert P. Collins

Avondale