Lawrence Journal World

B.Wright    Wichita, USA

Posted at 8:26am on Sunday, July 6th, 2008

Dear Editor:

The Shame of Marshall County, Kansas

As a former citizen of Marysville, with great emphasis on the word former, I was appalled at the news which reached Wichita, Kansas, my home for the past 23 years, recently regarding the heinous crime inflicted upon one who was "different" from the "other" citizens of Marshall County. However, it is comforting to know that some things never change. Marshall County appears to be as racist as it always has been, and undoubtedly always will be. The knowledge of white skinned people treating one of darker skin in such a way as was done recently is absolutely appalling.

I am pleased with myself for choosing a different life, a life in a city of great diversity, where my husband and I have raised our daughter. This diversity has made her the accepting, non-racist young woman she is today. She attended a private college preparatory school here in Wichita, from which she graduated with high honors in 2007, with students from every country in the world, and has found the recent events in Marshall County extremely offensive. I'm certain that everyone in Marysville and surrounding communities knows of which events I speak; the Valley Heights (Blue Rapids and Waterville) students who have now, and should always remain, behind bars, if not executed. Perhaps these white students should be tied up and urinated upon, painted black, etc., as they did to the only non-white student, but I'm sure they will be dealt with accordingly by their peers in prison. My personal opinion is that the parents of the white offenders should also face capital punishment, as hatred is not innate, but is learned.

To those of you in Marshall County who have adopted African-American children, let this event be a warning to you. If you think your children are in some way immune to hate crimes, think again. This same heinous act, or an act similar, could, and according to statistics, probably will be inflicted upon your children of color. So, I wouldn't be laughing about this event just yet if I were you.

Before you who reside in Marshall County become too pompous, perhaps you need a reminder of your own roots. One need only to peruse the local Marshall County phone books to realize that the majority of its citizens are of German descent. I have often wondered how many of your fathers and grandfathers marched with Hitler's Army. I do remember a time when the local high school band marched a lot like the "goose stepping" of Hitler's Army, and, as we all know, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

As my daughter, thankfully, does not understand how the aforementioned act could have happened, she does now feel as if she is unwelcome to visit family residing in Marysville as she is not of German descent, but rather of Swedish and British descent. I simply told her that persons who believe that they are in some way superior to others are not worth her time, as those of Marshall County seem to be.

To be sure, I am happy to say that I was not born in Marshall County, but rather lived the first six years of my life in Topeka, Kansas. However, as a former citizen of Marshall County, and I do stress the word FORMER, I am happy to call Wichita, Kansas, my home. My husband, daughter, and I have resided in Wichita for 23 years, far exceeding the minutia of time spent in Marysville, and invite those of you who feel superior because of your skin color to visit Wichita. We would love to see you. I will introduce you to my best friend, and, oh my goodness, she is an African-American, or perhaps you would like to visit my physician, oh, but he is of Chinese descent, or possibly I could introduce you to my fellow Barack Obama supporters, but, no, that wouldn't work either, as he is African-American. Perhaps you would be best served to remain where you are, with your fellow racists.

With love and tolerance for you, and also pity,

B.Wright