Column on Rose and Racism Turns Readers Into Writers

So many people sounded off after Friday’s column on Laguna Niguel Councilman Eddie Rose that today seems a good time to surrender this space to readers.

I criticized Rose for what I considered racist innuendoes in his remarks about the O.J. Simpson verdicts. Like Rose, I disagreed with the verdicts, but I thought his remarks were distasteful.

So off we go . . .

* “I’ve been a Times subscriber since the 1950s. On account of this article you wrote about Mr. Rose and the Simpson trial, which 99% of Americans feel was the most unjustified decision in our country, you issue an apology to Mr. Rose or I’m canceling my subscription.”

* “I wanted to thank you for your article this morning and let you know there is a recall already filed.”

* “I want to thank you. It’s a piece of journalistic mastery, as you so often do. You couldn’t have had any better perspective of the situation, and I totally agree.”

* “You know, right when I think your column is worth reading for the occasional one that’s good, I read one like the one today about this Rose guy. Why don’t you write a column explaining to us ignorant white folk out here why we can’t use the word ‘brother’ when we talk about black people, when they use it. Do you read your own paper? Did you read the coverage after the verdict, and so many black people said, ‘The brother ought to come back home now?’ . . . And now a white guy can’t use the word? I don’t understand that. I guess I’m not as enlightened as somebody of your intellectual prowess. I’ll tell you something else about Rose’s letter. You can call him a racist if you want, but the words are true.”

* “I shouldn’t judge, I know, but as far as I’m concerned, we don’t need people of his way of thinking on any council. The verdict is in, we’ve got to pick up our lives and go on. I think Mr. Rose should go back to school and learn a few things that he apparently has lost. I applaud you, and anything I can do to hurt Mr. Rose, I would like to know just how. I can’t express how I hate him . . . and I wish him all the bad luck in the world.”

* “Everything Eddie Rose wrote in his letter was right on, exactly. The only mistake he made was writing it on city stationery. Otherwise, he’s got it right on the head.”

* “I think your article was absolutely brilliant, very articulate and well-worded. You speak for a lot of us who don’t want to take the time out to call him names, such as racist, although he obviously seems to be one. It was really refreshing to read this after hearing that people were rallying around him for some strange, horrible, incomprehensible reason.”

* “I kind of agree with you, but I think you’re missing the whole point. You’re probably just as guilty in writing things like this, because all we’re doing is nit-picking at issues that are around the real problem. We’ve got to get away from this racist talk. We’re picking at things that have nothing to do with real issue, and that is our justice system that allows people like O.J. Simpson to go free.”

* “I’m a longtime customer of the L.A. Times and you’re absolutely wrong. You’re wrong in writing this damned article. It’s slanted, and I defend Mr. Rose. He spoke what 80% of the people in this country feel. If you want to do something good and decent, look on both sides. And if you really want to do something decent, do a little research on Mark Fuhrman. He served his country, was a good soldier, he served in the police department, did a job, and so far they have not found one damn thing. How in hell do you expect young cops to go into areas and get cursed and stones thrown at them and risk their lives day after day and not speak out? You’d have to be a damned idiot.”

* “Good article. I just wanted to let you know that just because Rose is a racist and made racist statements doesn’t mean that he is not right. Keep that in mind.”

* “Eddie Rose has long been a thorn in the community’s side. He does nothing but criticize and I really appreciate your viewpoint. I think it hit the nail right on the head, and all he has done is bring our community down. He got elected to the City Council and I was hoping that would quiet him down, but it’s just given him fuel to be the way he is, I guess.”

* “I was just in my doctor’s office and reading your article. People like you make me sick, you know. The guy opens his mouth and gave his opinion. Why do people like you write this racist garbage? People like you are what Johnnie Cochran thrives on. That’s why O.J. Simpson got off. Liberals like you have ruined this country since the early 1960s, and we’re paying for it now.”

* “I’m very neutral on most things. I usually enjoy your columns. I just couldn’t figure this one out. I think you went overboard. . . . Was it a racist letter? It kind of bordered on it, but it’s not what I would really call racist.”

* “First of all, sir, Mr. Eddie Rose is a very good councilman. I highly respect him. Your article is totally unjustified and totally wrong. I want to make one thing clear. We have a lot of conservatives out here, and like myself, they’re very environmentally aware. Mr. Rose is the same way. I want you to think about this phone call. We’re the people who pay your wages, sir, and I don’t appreciate the way you wrote your article because me and people like Mr. Rose are out there. We’re going to save the environment, and we’re going to think the way he thinks.”

* “I just read your article. Excellent article. Enough said. Amen.”

Dana Parsons’ column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.