To the Editor:

Sorry Dad, but in your column in last week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/17607), you said “the difference between heartfelt honesty and underlying racism is sometimes in the eye of the beholder.”

I think not. On the contrary, racism is the construct of dishonest stereotypes and prejudices. When we delve into ourselves and face the challenge of being brutally honest, this is when we find we are able to break down the barriers built by centuries of inegalitarian mindsets and rediscover our primal and obvious equality. It is by being brutally honest that we realize and acknowledge the still pervasive racism plaguing popular culture and the capitalist system in our country. It is by being brutally honest that we find the resolve and the dedication to attack this issue head on. 

And although this movement does have access to social media and the anonymity that can come with it, if it is moving too fast for your “comfort,” all there is to be said about that is your comfort doesn’t matter. It doesn’t count because this isn’t about the feelings of white people, and for the sake of the millions of black lives affected by institutional racism you may as well keep it to yourself. The movement is rightfully entitled #BlackLivesMatter because they are the only focus, and after hundreds of years of terrible oppression that whites can’t begin to comprehend your “comfort” is of little to no relevance. 

I understand I am nitpicking language here and veering from the overall intent of your column, but when criticizing the #BlackLivesMatter movement it is of the utmost importance to recognize the insinuations one makes and use mindful jargon. 

Otherwise, it was a great article. In an age and generation that tends towards the instantaneous satisfaction of social media, the importance of face-to-face, open, and meaningful discussion is what will ultimately make a difference in this movement — not anonymous yaks. 

Hannah McLeod

Alicante, Spain 

(Hannah is the daughter of SMN Editor Scott McLeod. She attends Appalachian State and is studying abroad this semeseter in Spain. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)