Vic Carter Remembers Scott

I wanted to take a moment and to congratulate you on the article about Larry Scott (“Larry Scott’s Baltimore,” Feature, Nov. 7). I have always been a major fan of Larry. He was not only an artist whose work I collected, he was a friend. I felt a great sense of sadness in reading your article—but at the same time felt enriched for having made his acquaintance—and having the opportunity to live with many of his pieces in my home. I hosted a show for him at my house and everyone who was there loved his work and enjoyed his quiet passion for the works he created.

Again—thank you for writing the article in such a caring way.

Vic Carter

WJZ-TV

Baltimore

Apathy Worse than GOP tricks

I have just finished reading “Beware Ratfucking 3.0” by Brian Morton (“Political Animal,” Column, Oct. 31). To tell you the truth, the white Republicans know that Black folks’ biggest problem is “group Black Apathy,” which is a lack of political interests or concerns affecting the lives of everyday poor or middle class Black folks.

As I see it, Poor Black folks such as myself understand that racism is a concept that was flowered out of the plant of capitalism, and racism will keep Black folks down, but racism will never dominate white capitalism supremacy in my humble opinion because “money,” honey, can cover all sins, including politics.

Brian Morton has written that “now given that poorer people are more likely to vote Democratic, Republicans have instituted a nationwide effort to create hoops for voters to jump through in order to cast a ballot. . .”

As I see it, the Constitution was never intended for slaves or future Black folks to have self-improvement in their lives. Still I vote because I want white folks to know “I am present” in America, and will work to make a difference in my local community, state of Maryland, and the federal government of America. My vote (absentee ballot was mailed Oct. 18, 2012) said that I do not want any white person to represent me or speak for me.

Now, I am 71 years old and I just mailed my absentee ballot. I voted for President Barack Obama and Senator Ben Cardin, no one else.

I have a long memory as an old Black woman. In my neighborhood during segregated times, the day before an election, white folks come to our Black neighborhoods doing all sorts of stuff to keep my parents and relatives from going to the polls. My parents went despite their fears. Now I vote because I want white folks to know that the White House might be “white,’ but that doesn’t mean the President has to be.

I refuse to live as a tragedy, even though some people see my skin as worse than shit. Don’t worry, I’m still a Christian. Jesus made me. You didn’t.

Larnell Custis Butler

Woodlawn

—“Don Griffin ,” Nov. 8