The Scott McLeod that I have read and enjoyed is a generally reliable source of sensitive, well-reasoned opinions that illuminate and educate on important matters, but this example distorts constitutional reality and states an actual falsehood, which is that, and I quote, “If you don’t vote ... you don't even really deserve the right to be heard.” The truth is that the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States gives me the right, as an American citizen, to express my self in any way I want to, subject only to the rights of others, and this right is not in any way tethered to an act of voting. 

And exactly to that point, you cite numerous examples in your editorial of those who did not have actual voting rights, and through the exercise of their voices and numerous and various sacrifices, eventually prevailed in their efforts and secured the additional right to vote. In essense, you are  pretending that all of the protestors that are currently pouring through the streets demanding respectful treatment of various marginalized folks are only worth attention if they can pass, in some unnamed way, a litmus test that first gives them the status of “voter.” This is completely ridiculous and false, and in those moments of protest on matters of considerable importance, completely irrelevant. 

It is exactly this kind of mangled reasoning that is being used by the conservatives of this country to justify police brutality and racism, and the societal structures that support them, and actual examples of this are quite easy to find. In short, the reasoning goes like this: George Floyd deserved what he got, because he was alleged to have committed a crime, and did not complacently and quietly go along with arrest. Similarly, “Stop and Frisk” policies are justified, because, after all, black men walk down sidewalks, and do so in a way that white folks find threatening.

Precisely because we have a deep cultural and political divide in this country, you and all of us that have a voice and a podium to use it have a responsibility to be be careful in what we say and write, lest we do the causes we believe in a profound disservice. It is not effective to mangle facts of law to fit our goals. If we truly want what we want, it is incumbent upon us to avoid distortion and exaggeration. If we refuse to discipline our behavior and communication, we are actually contributing to the discord, dissension, and violence that permeates our culture.

Rick Wirth

Bryson City