Omaha World-Herald

BKWright    Wichita, USA

Posted at 9:00am on Friday, July 4th, 2008

Regarding recent event in Marshall County, Kansas --

I was appalled at the news which reached Wichita recently regarding the heinous act 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 is as racist as it always has been, and undoubtedly always will remain so. 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, and raising my daughter here has made her the accepting young woman she has become. She attended a private college preparatory school here in Wichita with students from every country in the world, and has found the recent events in Marshall County extremely offensive. I'm certain everyone in Marysville, and surrounding communities, knows of which events I speak; the Valley Heights students who have now and who should always remain behind bars, if not executed. Perhaps these white students should be tied up and urinated upon, painted black, etc., but I'm sure they will be dealt with accordingly 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 peruse the local Marshall County phone books to realize that the majority of the citizens are of German descent. I wonder 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."

And, to those of you who practice Catholicism, I've only one thing to say, "Please do not harm any more children"; you know what I mean.

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 in Marysville as she is not of German descent, but rather of Swedish and British descent. I simply told her that some people will always be stupid, as those of Marshall County seem to be.

With love,

Brenda Kay Land Wainwright