I want to thank recent guest writers Marc Warner and Dr. Jay Fleitman for their courage, candor and truths regarding reparations. Dr. Fleitman posits the question of justice and appropriateness, and asserts this can only correctly be done on a national level, similar to that done for Asian Americans over their treatment during World War II [“Questioning reparations,” letter, March 1]. Any city’s or town’s individual populations cannot be expected to cover the sins of our country’s past, realistically, legally or constitutionally.
I have long stated my position that my ancestors had no involvement to slavery. Perhaps of greater importance than that is the fact that nowhere in my lineage has there been any white privilege. Both sides came here at the turn of the last century as poor immigrants, and sweated and bled for what little we have. In fact, members of my Sicilian lineage were treated like dirt, and second-class vermin.
Where are all the politically correct fact checkers and apologies for that little truth?
My great-grandparents came to Hamp over 100 years ago, and other forebears to the Holyoke Flats at about the same time.
All were poor, hard-working and honest. There were no handouts. We don’t have much, but what we have has been earned.
I agree with Mr. Warner’s assessment of our City Council and I would add our mayor [“Northampton the ‘last place’ for reparations,” column, Feb. 25]. Increasingly as time has gone on, they no longer represent our 30,000-person population, but pander ever more to a progressive woke ideology and virtue signaling.
Tragically, the only place left for the voices who disagree with this ideology is our Gazette. Even that, however, is under constant threat from the bullies who will not accept that you think differently, and post their exasperation to silence you.
More and more, our town gentrifies to the point where supporting equity and people of color is realistically only on paper. For who can afford to come here if you are not very well off or equity rich? It’s Noho’s unspoken dirty little secret!
Our assessed property values decreased, but taxes inevitably increased due to unrealistic, hyper-inflated housing costs.
I mention all this to make a point. As these increases put more and more pressure on lower- and middle-income households each and every year, my family, among many hundreds more are destined to be forced from our ancestral homes.
How dare anyone suggest my or others’ opposition to this is either denigrating Black experience or simply racist rhetoric.
It must be so easy to point an indignant finger when you can afford it. To blindly accept all white folk must do their part or look the other way from the families that will be displaced because of this policy, is clearly ludicrous hypocrisy!
I refuse to be “acceptable fodder” for your self-righteous decrees, and will not pay for my unfair share. For those who feel the need to assuage an even greater portion of guilt, they can graciously cover it in my stead!
Joseph Cadette lives in Northampton.