The Blade’s recent apology for its coverage of the killing of Lamar Richardson was unnecessary and disgraceful.
In it, The Blade details several reporting decisions that it describes as errors, concluding that the biggest error was reporting the races of the man who was shot and the officer who shot him. After this “error” was discovered, staff were instructed to “delete any reference to race from the story.” But neither coverage of police killings — nor any aspect of the criminal justice system — is an area where we can simply delete race from the conversation.
Our nation’s policing problem is a systemic one, and the race of those being policed compared with the race of police officers is of utmost relevance. Over-policing in communities of color has led to people of color being overrepresented at every stage of the criminal justice system — from targeted policing well in excess of their crime rates to longer sentences. Meanwhile, most white communities are policed differently, from decisions about where to deploy resources to the laws that get enforced.
Black people are killed by police at a rate almost three times higher than white people are, including when comparing white victims who were armed with black victims who were armed.
We expect and demand an honest and transparent investigation of the incident. But that cannot happen when the plain facts — such as the identities of those involved — are hidden from the public. The Blade’s mistake is continuing the longstanding American tradition of whitewashing police violence.
EMMA KEESHIN
Cleveland
Editor’s note: Ms. Keeshin is the police practices advocate for the ACLU of Ohio.
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Police officers need support
As a daughter and sister of two Toledo police officers, I am absolutely taken back by the July 29 article, “After shooting, Lamar Richardson’s family remembers his life, expresses frustration.” How dare The Blade shed light on a person that committed armed robberies and make it out to seem like he was a good person. I am sad for his family — it is not his grandmother’s fault that he was who he was.
How dare The Blade write, “That dream was cut short when Mr. Richardson, 25, who is black, was shot and killed Friday by a white Toledo police officer at Hudson and Lagrange Streets in North Toledo.” Until you are one or have prayed for one every night, you will never understand the job of a police officer.
So as The Blade’s writers sit behind their safe desks in the paper’s safe office and write words they would never dream of saying to an officer’s face, I hope The Blade thinks about that next time you stick up for a man that was terrorizing the city of Toledo.
BRIANNA GEISEL
Maumee
Don’t be fooled by certain bias
The liberal bias to blur the lines on immigration is evidenced by a recent letter to the Readers’ Forum (July 30, “The land of the free”). The writer says, “Our President wants to build a wall to prevent people from countries south of us from joining in the opportunities and privileges we brag about in this country.”
We have a route to legal citizenship in the U.S. which has been in existence since our founding. All immigrants are welcome who follow the rules for legal entry. President Trump is not wanting to deny those people from “joining in the opportunities.” In fact, he encourages and welcomes them.
Many foreigners have been ignoring the legal route and choose to enter illegally by pouring across our southern border. There are consequences for illegal entry and they cry foul when they are caught. The liberal media condemns such government action, accusing the administration of being anti-immigration. The objective of a wall on the southern border is to drastically cut illegal immigration only. All are welcome to our shores who seek the legal path, regardless of where they come from.
There is a huge difference between legal and illegal immigration. The issue and focus is on illegal entry. Don’t be fooled by the liberal smoke screen trying to persuade otherwise.
RICHARD KETTEMAN
Sylvania
Jordan fits in with Trump, GOP
At first I thought I was reading the National Enquirer when I saw on the following headline on the front page of The Blade on July 27: “Ohio’s Jordan to run for House speaker.”
This same man wants to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for failure to turn over requested documents connected with investigations of former candidate Hillary Clinton’s and President Trump’s campaigns. Meanwhile, Mr. Jordan is facing allegations from former wrestlers at The Ohio State University that he was aware of sexual abuse by a now deceased team doctor. Mr. Jordan, a former assistant coach, has denied the allegations. Mr. Trump is also being investigated for so many other things, and Mr. Jordan fits right in with them all.
Folks, we don’t need this man as a representative. He needs to be impeached. He is supporting a president who has totally disgraced our country and has put us in danger of losing many jobs. Republicans need to stop putting people with very questionable backgrounds in office.
JOANNE SCHIAVONE
Walbridge
A timely apology
I have been a subscriber to The Blade for over four decades. In my opinion, it is one of America’s great newspapers. Dave Murray’s July 31 apology to the readership was timely, sincere, and necessary. (July 31, “Blade apologizes: Mistakes were made”).
There is so much disinformation and “fake news” disseminated these days. Anyone who believes everything they see on the internet is a fool. The Blade was incredibly foolish to believe and use that Facebook video. Moving forward, I trust that The Blade will perform due diligence to get the facts straight instead of rushing a story to print and publishing falsehoods.
Your readership is counting on you.
DON HARRISON
Perrysburg
First Published August 4, 2018, 8:45 p.m.
