Letter to the editor: America a racist country?

I felt compelled to respond to Mary Beth Walling’s letter “Our race problems are real” (Aug. 22, TribLIVE).

Walling indicates that she believes we are a racist country. She offers the way her Black friends are treated by merchants, banks and officials and that there are Confederate statues and flags still displayed as evidence. She does admit that slavery, segregation and race riots are a thing of the past (although the LA riots and last summer’s riots seem to have slipped her memory).

I offer this answer to her. There is no country that has done more to eradicate slavery than the United States. Millions of white men left their homes to fight, and many to die, to free the slaves.

As far as the treatment of her Black friends by merchants, banks, etc., let’s take a look at facts. African Americans make up 13% of the population but commit over 50% of the murders. Out-of-wedlock births are now at 64% in the Black community. Single-parent households are at 66%; they were at 25% prior to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Are we more racist now than we were in the ’50s?

We have policies in place throughout government and corporations ensuring fair treatment of minorities. As far as government officials’ treatment of Blacks, show me one law or active policy that discriminates against Blacks. Perceived treatment does not equal real treatment.

I believe the Black community needs to take a serious look at itself. Don’t tell me that my house is broke when your house is barely standing.

Richard Bell

Ligonier Township