By: Lindsey Campbell, Editor
When a man describes the difference between Democrats and Republicans as “coherent versus incoherent,” I think it is safe to say he takes a bold position. That is one of several provocative statements that nationally syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. made during his speech at the Bristol Public Library on Nov. 12. He was there as a speaker for the Buechner Institute at King College.
Agree or disagree with a man like Mr. Pitts, there is a certain amount of admiration owed to someone who openly takes a bold position on the most debated issues of the times. Leonard Pitts, Jr. is one of those people.
It is not my goal to side with Pitts and say all his thoughts and opinions are deserving of admiration. It is also not to discredit his work and research. But rather, the goal is to challenge readers to draw their own conclusions based on what they feel and think after their research.
Pitts writes for the Miami Herald and his columns run twice weekly. He mainly focuses on pop culture, social issues and politics. In 2004, he won the Pulitzer Prize in Commentary. He has worked his way up to a point where people realize and mostly respect his views. Clearly, Pitts influences many people as he offers his thoughts on some of the toughest issues that trouble America today.
The meeting room where Pitts made his speech on Monday was standing room only. His speech was mainly about the idea that social and religious conservatives are always “late to the revolution.” He used the Southern Baptist Convention’s 1995 apology for racism and slavery as one illustration of his point. “They’re always a quarter century late,” he said.
Some of his more recent opinion columns include “Can the GOP adapt to the real America?” “Life is sacred, except when its not,” and “Obama win a huge blow to ‘severe conservatism’.”
Pitts mentioned the old phrase himself during his speech, “with great power comes great responsibility.” When thousands of people are exposed to thoughts that Pitts conjures up every Wednesday and Sunday, yes, he has a lot of power. He receives money for his opinion. This is something I hope he does not take lightly. Persuasion is a powerful thing.
I believe he is sincere in his beliefs and his reasoning. As strong as his opinions are, I know some conservatives who are just as sincere in their beliefs, just on the opposite end of the spectrum, and they are just as strong. So who should we listen to? I think the answer is everyone, and no one.
What I mean by that is, do not let people make you wear assumptions.
Most people offer their opinions for nothing at all, but that does not mean they are any less important. Pitts has done his homework, he knows why he believes what he believes.
That is the challenge being extended to all of us. We need to know what we believe. Yes, go read some of Mr. Pitts’ work, but then go find another columnist who has different views from his. Then go research the issues most important to you for yourself.
milliganstampede
