Pre-judging is wrong

I find that the Letter to the editor written by Sandra Gill and published in the Sept. 26 issue of the Kent Reporter ("What did Thomas say that was incorrect") was condescending and dismissive of the concerns of the black community in Kent.

I find that the Letter to the editor written by Sandra Gill and published in the Sept. 26 issue of the Kent Reporter (“What did Thomas say that was incorrect”) was condescending and dismissive of the concerns of the black community in Kent.

Furthermore, Gill’s letter is full of unsubstantiated conclusions that appear to be slanted toward the justification of the shooting of Michael Brown, even though he was unarmed and whether or not he had his hands raised when he was fatally shot.

I, for one, cannot reconcile, that in a justice system that says “you are innocent until proven guilty” that an elected city official in an official capacity declares someone a thief without the benefit of due process.

Councilman Les Thomas has every right to declare his dissent to the observance of a moment of silence. However, to call Michael Brown as an 18-year-old thief based on unsubstantiated hearsay that may or may not be admissible in a court of law (we’ll never know now), in my opinion, does not demonstrate the kind of leadership that Kent needs to move forward as a role model of diversity and inclusion.

Talking facts: The police chief of Ferguson admitted that officer Wilson had no knowledge of the alleged robbery of cigars, and the chief apologized to the family for leaving Brown’s body in the street over four hours.

Let’s have the conversation and not lob insults.

– Richard Johnson


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Letters to the Editor

Email editor@kentreporter.com
For every vote to count, Kent needs district-based elections | Guest column

By Mónica Mendoza-Castrejón Guest Column If you’re a community member here in… Continue reading

Email editor@kentreporter.com
Letters: Support King County Charter Amendment

Support King County Charter Amendment As a lifelong resident of King County,… Continue reading

Messes in Mill Creek Canyon

Thank you for your very informative article (“Cleaning up Mill Creek Canyon… Continue reading

Priced out of our homes

Priced out of our homes In the middle of everything that is… Continue reading

Kent School Board addresses death of George Floyd

The recent death of Mr. George Floyd at the hands of a… Continue reading

Some good advice in the fight against infection

School closings, sports event cancellations, food hoarding. … We live in a… Continue reading

City should focus on the real problem, a health crisis

It is time for the city officials of Kent to stop their… Continue reading

How much effect will virus have?

The situation regarding King County’s acquisition of the Econo Lodge in Kent… Continue reading

Coronavirus: County made hasty choice in Kent as a quarantine city
Coronavirus: County made hasty choice in Kent as a quarantine city

Like many Kent residents, I was blindsided when I heard, late Wednesday… Continue reading