LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

U.S. should learn Mandela’s lessons

12/15/2013

As the world celebrates the life of Nelson Mandela, I have learned a lot about his ability to unite a country that was divided for years by apartheid (“Obama electrifies tribute; Amid cheers, he thanks South Africa for sharing Mandela,” Dec. 11).

The United States is divided today. Whether it is white versus black, rich versus poor, Democrat versus Republican, or pro-gay marriage versus anti-gay marriage, we Americans do not get along with each other.

This divisiveness is perpetuated by the lack of leadership of our politicians. And national news media thrive on our division.

I hope we can learn from a much smaller country, South Africa, that we need to be more forgiving, tolerant, and accepting of one another. We are all not that different from one another.

JOHN CASTILLO

Rambo Lane

 

Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

 

S. African voting a model for Ohio

After I read your Dec. 6 article on the life of Nelson Mandela, “South Africa’s 1st leader after apartheid’s end dies; Role model for democracy was symbol of national unity,” the glow left me as I read in the same edition about the attempts by Ohio House Republicans to limit voting rights.

That issue stood in stark contrast to the struggles that the blacks of South Africa had to endure during their years of apartheid. In 1994, during the first election open to all races in South Africa at the end of apartheid, millions of voters stood in long lines eager to cast their votes.

In Ohio, the GOP is working hard to limit the voting process. I hope either the Ohio Senate or Gov. John Kasich will stop this insanity.

DENIS EBLE

Sylvania Township