Feedback 2/17 

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What do we owe black men?

So, we don't owe the black man anything? We don't owe him anything because we only see blackness when he walks through the door? We don't owe him anything when his little boys will grow up to live in our jails? We don't owe him anything when he can only hope his son will live to be an adult? When black on black crime is only his problem? When his son's access to college is more difficult if not impossible? When some police in our communities target him? When we don't have black teachers to teach our black children? When his DNA is covered in the centuries-old blood of hangings and explosions and beatings?

We don't owe him anything when Bernie Sanders, who calls himself a socialist, leaves him out of the conversation? When Hillary Clinton does not mention racism as an ingrained evil in our society, pulling us all down? When no Republican candidate talks about black lives?

When the Supreme Court reverses almost everything that historically has been done to improve his life: reversing basic tenants of the Voting Rights Act, allowing voting laws that discriminate against the poor and the elderly, failing to correct the problems of district gerrymandering, and destroying affirmative action? When the trickle-down of Reaganomics emblazes a larger path to poverty for the already disenfranchised?

When his history is ingrained in that which we do not want to discuss? We don't owe him anything when we are too ignorant to understand that black lives really do matter? And when we live under the delusion that our whiteness grants us power?

JOHN GHERTNER

Wayne Action for Racial Equality

Praise for RPO's upcoming season

I think next year's concert schedule, like this year's, presents an appealing, thoughtful balance of familiar and less familiar music. I am especially pleased with two selections: Ron Nelson's "Savannah River Holiday" and the "Prelude and Quadruple Fugue" by Alan Hovhaness. Both had their premiere performances in Rochester, in the 50's, at the American Composers' Concerts.

Quite a good number of American orchestral works had their first performances here. Now the orchestra will have a chance to blow the dust off of some good music that's not played that much anymore and to shed light on a fascinating bit of local history as well. Our music director should be commended for bringing us such exciting, creative programming initiatives.

DAVID BYRNE

Beethoven 7 is one of my favorite pieces of workout music. The fourth movement gets you going on the treadmill or rowing machine! Just when you need it!

ELIZABETH RICE

I am so excited for the new season. Ward Stare is an amazing conductor!

PATTY SAYERS PATTERSON

The real reason Duffy left Albany?

Bob Duffy was on the Dem ticket to deliver Upstate votes, which he did. I'd bet Duffy saw the Moreland Commission train wreck coming and decided to bail out. I can't blame him. Besides, I don't think Bob Duffy bought in to the liberal Cuomo agenda.

BART