Bates on S. Africa
Why doesn’t Karen Grigsby Bates (“Why I Envy South Africa,” Commentary, May 18) simply move to South Africa? Why does The Times continue to print race-baiting whiners like her and never print anything from African Americans who actually have something good to say about America?
She indicts, by inference, the white middle class for the poor state of hospitals, schools, recreation facilities and markets in black neighborhoods. Where is the responsibility of the black middle class in all this?
As a black resident of South-Central Los Angeles, I am here to tell you that nothing is going to change in our community unless and until we (i.e., the folks who live here) pull together to do what it takes--through hard work, not riots--to effect change.
And, if all Ms. Bates has to contribute are the same tired complaints against the “system,” then I submit that she is a major part of the problem.
RON PARKER
Los Angeles
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