Racist Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Re “Too Far to the Left for Far Right,” Dec. 17: As an African American and a Democrat, I don’t know if I am more amused or distressed that so many Republicans and others are now screaming for Sen. Trent Lott’s (R-Miss.) head because of his recent gaffe. Had there been any credible commitment to people of color in the Republican agenda, someone with Lott’s record on civil rights would never have been the face of its leadership in the first place. When will the political leadership in this country, both Republican and Democratic, learn that racism is not what people think or say, but rather that racism is what people do?

Cathleen A. Crayton

Claremont

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If Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) had stayed awake more in recent decades, he might have explained to Lott that the Civil War was over and that Confederate President Jefferson Davis was not the man Lott should most admire.

Wayne C. Irwin

Northridge

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At a birthday party for a 100-year-old Confederate warrior, Lott blew a little smoke as he toasted the old man. I doubt he thought anybody was paying attention. What’s everybody getting so worked up about?

Bernard Lehrer

Ventura

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Fellow Democrats, shut up! The more Lott says, the deeper the hole he digs for himself and even more for the Republican Party. Let him survive. With Lott leading the GOP, every one of George W.’s bad policies and bad bills will fail to pass. They will all be scrutinized for the bigotry they are born of and badly fail the fairness test. We need Lott; keep quiet and let him stay.

Marty Ross

Carlsbad

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Not only has the senator from Mississippi moved forward the debate over race in this country, he has given us a new collective noun to add to our vocabulary. In addition to phrases like a gaggle of geese and a coven of witches, we will now be able to refer to a Lott of apologies.

David Link

Pasadena