I'm reminded of the monument to the boll weevil in Enterprise, Ala., which recognizes a tragedy wherein the boll weevil devastated the cotton crop, the economy, livelihoods and created famine in the Wiregrass area - but which became a blessing in disguise when peanuts became the crop that provided a wealth and a standard of living far surpassing that provided by cotton.

In a similar vein - but in sincere deference to the tragic plight of African slaves in this country - their sacrifice at the hands of slave owners ultimately provided a freedom, wealth and standard of living to today's descendents that elicit prostrated envy of their kin in Africa who continue to live in freedomless squalor.

I can envision a day when, as personified by the boll weevil monument, a comparable slavery monument will stand that will recognize an early American inhumanity that became a blessing to many.

Armond "Si" Simmons, Pell City, Ala.