No, we shouldn’t redraw Fort Worth City Council districts

Don’t add minority representation

Bud Kennedy has it backward. He recommends a change in how we draw City Council districts to ensure more minorities are elected. (June 7, 1B, “Peaceful Fort Worth protests deserve action on police reform”) All my life, the goal has been a colorless society. Are we a republic of free citizens, a nation of Americans or a confederation of tribes? He is undermining Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream. We all need to take a deep breath.

- Curtis Basham, Fort Worth

Reallocate how taxes are spent

The mayor and City Council should undertake Bud Kennedy’s June 6 recommendation to put the crime tax to better use. Too much of this funding has gone for police hardware and too little for programs to improve conditions that breed poverty and crime.

- Douglas Harman, Fort Worth

Tone deaf at the City Council

After attending Friday’s City Council meeting, I have concerns about the city’s commitment to justice and change. Why was the pastor of a white megachurch asked to give the invocation and opening prayer? City leaders say they want to listen to people of color, yet they missed an opportunity to hear from a person of faith in the black community.

And the pastor’s prayer was a classic example of white privilege. He is so far removed from the reality of suffering and hardship that he neglected to mention the biblical principles of justice or the anguish and grief that so many people of color endure. His thoughtless words made me ashamed to be a white person.

- Emma Burgher, Fort Worth

Gives you time to be informed

I have been voting by mail for many years, and I am pleased. The ballot is mailed in plenty of time to decide for whom to vote. In the last primary, there were many names I had never heard before (judges, for instance). I found information about the candidates’ qualifications, experience and education from the League of Women Voters. And because there were so many propositions to consider, I had time to read them more than once and make a decision.

- Betty Hairston, Fort Worth

More voices needed at protest

My daughter and I attended the protest at Bedford Boys Ranch. It was a well-behaved, respectful gathering in observance of the tragic and unnecessary loss of life. Police and religious leaders praised the crowd for its gracious attendance.

Although Bedford is largely homogeneous, I was disappointed that the event was viewed exclusively from a Christian perspective. I was disappointed no representatives of other faiths were there to condemn the actions of renegade police officers. They also feel the pain and know what it is like to be a minority group. The First Amendment also protects freedom of religion.

- Tom Stroope, Bedford

Get rid of the sticking point

Here’s a simple solution to kneeling during the national anthem: Quit playing it before sporting events. I support the right of every American to peacefully protest. I also understand the view that kneeling is disrespectful. If the anthem is such a trigger point for division, don’t make it part of the game.

- Chuck Fiedler, Haslet