Your Viewpoint
Letters to the Editor
Get out and vote

By JEFF SCOTT Jasper

With the March primary at hand, I would like to stress to all voters to vote. For too long most blacks have lived with the mentality that their votes don't matter, this isn't true.

The principal of voting that people, both black and white, have paid the price to vote with their lives. First the polls tax in the early fifties, secondly the dogs and fire hoses in the sixties. There's no excuse now for you not to vote. It doesn't matter who you vote for just exercise that right, and perhaps you will take part in the general elections in November and vote for the right party.

Of course, as always in closing let me quote Proverbs 29:18, where there is no vision, the people perish.

Visit the schools

By RETA HUTSON Jasper

I want to make a challenge to all parents, all people. I challenge you to go to our children's schools. Walk around the schools, pray over our children, schools and all that serve our children.

We need to speak God's word over every situation. Our children should be able to go to school and learn in a loving, peaceful environment. As His people we should not be afraid to show send our children to school.

God did not give us a spirit of fear. God gave us a spirit of love and power. It is a spiritual battle. Let's get to fighting spiritually.

I challenge you to speak love, joy and peace into our lives. God has given us power and authority, let's use it. Thank you. God bless you all.

Family really needs closure

By TAMMY COCHRAN Jasper

Thanks to our District Judge Joe Bob Golden, Jack Wiley Dotson was granted another trial continuance. Our district judges need to hold both the defendants and their attorneys to trial priorities. If in fact Mr. Dotson's attorney can prove self-defense, why has he not done so prior to now?

If Mr. Dotson is having surgery, not lifethreatening, why could the surgery not have been postponed until after Feb. 25? If any attorney can contact a client, while preparing a murder case, for more than a week, would that not raise a "red flag?"

During our continuancy hearing, the district judge seemed as concerned with the negative publicity from the previous letter to the editor as he did with the continuancy itself. He made a public declaration at the court session, concerning the letter asking for closure and justice.

He stated, "You can write your letters and call me what you want." It would be both unchristian and "unlady-like," to call him what we would like. We are only asking that he use his authority to hold the defendant and his attorney to a set trial date.

All evidence is in, the district attorney's office is ready, and still the judge is not forcing either parties of the defendant's side to be held accountable for this matter.

We just want to settle this matter and put it behind us. District, teacher make bad moves

By WILLIE RAWLS Jasper

In the handbook that Jasper High School gave to the students at the beginning of the year, on page 30, it says: "Students have the right to a well-balanced, appropriate educational program at all levels in elementary, junior and high school."

"Students have a right to study under qualified instructors in an atmosphere free from bias, prejudice, and disruptions."

This is not a black and white issue. It's about the students, and a teacher being professional or unprofessional.

On Feb. 11 a teacher at JHS used a racial name in her class. It doesn't matter what color or what race a teacher may be, teachers are suppose to be professional.

The teacher was suspended for four days for saying this word. Even if a student did ask her a question, being professional and an adult, she could have told that student another answer other than the one she used. When you are a child then you speak like a child, and when you're an adult then you speak like an adult.

This teacher will be allowed to return to school to teach the same students. How can this be a well-balanced atmosphere for these students?

JISD says: "Neither the board nor any district employee shall unlawfully retaliate against any individual bringing a concern or complaint." Some students are concerned that the teacher might retaliate against them in some form or another. The parents of these should be concerned too.

If a teacher is bold enough to say the "n" word in her class, then there's no telling what she might say or do when she returns to school.

This teacher is the only teacher who teaches this class. So these students can not flee from her. These students are between a rock and a hard place. The children are the future.

Maybe this teacher should read the hand book. And if she has read it, then she knew what the policy said. This teacher should be given a test on the hand book.

Aperson should pray and watch. If a person doesn't stand up for some things then they will fall for anything.

Letters' criteria

The Jasper Newsboy would like to publish your thoughts and concerns about issues that are important to you.

All Letters to the Editor should be accompanied with the writer's name and daytime telephone number for verification purposes.

Phone numbers will not be published, but the author's name will be. Under no circumstances will the author's name be withheld.

"Thank You" letters will not be published and will be transferred the the advertising department for an advertisement. All letters are subject to editing for newspaper style and clarity, without changing the meaning of the content. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Letters endorsing or opposing political candidates are considered political advertising and will be forwarded to the advertising department.

Deadline for letters is 10 a.m. Monday to be published in the following Wednesday's publication. Mail letters to: The Jasper Newsboy P.O. Box 1419 Jasper, Texas 75951- 1419 or e-mail to: jgalvan@jaspernewsboy.com