Resources about race available at MPL
The titles recommended by Cassie Rattray in “Racism Explained Through Multiple Sources” (DP-06-19-20) can all be found at the Morgantown Public Library System. Our library’s collections are specially curated to provide rich and varied titles that represent our multiracial and multicultural communities.
Should you want similar reads, the library has provided numerous recommended titles related to understanding race and culture in our country, which can be found on our website at mympls.org or on our Facebook page @MorgantownPublicLibrary.
The library also has a “Staff Picks for You” service, where expert librarians will select up to 10 books and four DVDs based on your individual preferences and comprehension levels. This service is available at all locations. Call your local branch or request online: https://tinyurl.com/pickforu
Our goal is to educate, serve, and encourage without discrimination, through free and open access to information and resources. The books, e-books, audiobooks, movies and streaming services in our collections offer a low cost alternative for members of our community. As this is an ongoing learning experience for all of us, we invite you to share resources, programs or suggested additions to our collections. As always, you can reach us at askmympls@gmail.com or (304) 291-7425.
Corina Chang
Morgantown Public Library System
Morgantown
Mullins provided first two-way transport
“Remembering the life and legacy of Hershel Mullins” (DP-06-17-20) speaks to Hershel’s many years as a fair and compassionate magistrate. Few are aware of the role he played in helping to save the lives of individuals who otherwise may not be alive today.
Prior to his tenure as magistrate, Hershel and his father, Hershel Sr., owned Morgantown Ambulance Service. Mon County Emergency Medical Services did not exist at that time, nor did “two-way” emergency transport of critically ill infants, meaning dispatch of a skilled transport team from the University Hospital to the referring hospital where the patient was born. Though commonplace today, two-way transport was not an option until 1975 when Hershel’s father agreed to provide this service, even though there was no reimbursement mechanism in place.
The first to benefit from this service was a premature newborn with severe respiratory distress referred from Buckhannon’s St. Joseph Hospital. He is a healthy adult today, as are many others who were expertly transported from the delivery hospital by our recently departed Hershel Jr. For several years, Hershel and his father unselfishly provided this important service throughout northern West Virginia almost daily.
Before the Mullins family stepped up to the plate, West Virginia had the highest white infant mortality rate in the nation. Their generosity was a major contributor to greatly improved survival of our tiniest fellow citizens. By the end of the decade (1980), infant mortality had declined more rapidly than any other state to below the national average.
William A. Neal
Morgantown
Photo shows mixed messages about masks
The Tuesday, June 23, paper displayed three main articles about the COVID-19 pandemic, and right in the middle of the front page, there were pictures from the Small Business Association meeting in Morgantown. Not one of the attendees pictured had on a mask, nor did it appear that they were practicing social distancing. Only the waiter in the background had on a mask. I am hoping those in the picture had only removed their masks temporarily for the photographer.
Even so, that picture points out the mixed messages that are being sent from the top of the federal government right on down to the local level. As you go about Morgantown now, people wearing masks are in the minority. We’ve been warned over and over again by scientists and by our own Gov. Justice and Dr. Marsh that things are going to get worse, and we’re seeing that unfold around West Virginia now.
I understand the governor’s reluctance to mandate the wearing of masks, but obviously asking people to wear them voluntarily as a kindness to others is not working. If we want to get schools open and to get back to church or otherwise back to life as we knew it, something is going to have to be done now before it gets even worse.
And, sadly, now it may be too late to halt the uptick in cases here. Wearing a mask and staying away from large public gathering places seem to be a small enough price to pay.
Vicki Conner
Morgantown
Looting, rioting, blocking traffic not acceptable
I am trying to wrap my head around everything that has been happening in a country more blessed than any other country in the world. A gentleman lost his life by either corrupt or sadistic cops. We all understand this was wrong in the way it happened, and color should not matter. He was a person.
Within 24 hours, a city was destroyed. Men, women, black, white or whatever color, hardworking human beings lost businesses and merchandise they had worked and saved for. Many employed workers in different steps of their business. Now they have only memories of what was. This monster spread like a hateful disease because of the mourning of an unnecessary death.
I watched cops fight to stay calm, trying to reason with protestors, and saw the ignorance of those setting fire to anything bothering them.
I watched young people who haven’t had time to let their first shave grow out again lie down on major streets and bridges to protest.
Here in our hometown, I saw young people lying on the Westover bridge, a main artery through town. I immediately thought, what if an emergency would occur? A home fire — but by the time the bridge was cleared of the friendly, peaceful protesters, a mother and child were burned alive. How could that be justified?
Now, we are going to work to find the troublemakers and put them in jail, where we will feed and care for them. The correct form of punishment would be to make them clean up what they destroyed and help build it back. They would learn hard work, ethics and a trade or skill they could use in the future.
I cannot believe in the 21st century race is still an issue. We were born and raised in the best country with the best form of government, and we are trying desperately to destroy what the United States of America stood for and still stands for in the hearts of true, caring Americans.
It does not matter our color; we are all human beings.
Linda Newcome
Masontown
Coal industry, opioids have ravaged state
We wonder why West Virginia is declining. It could be these coal companies that buy our mines and run them for all they are worth — running up debt and wearing out our miners to do so — then filing for bankruptcy.
That is followed by a new contract in which the men have less rights, less pay, less say and a “no strike” clause. Each one taking more than the one before. They start laying the men off and letting all their payments get overdue (making them desperate to keep their jobs or be in danger of losing their homes, vehicle, etc.).
Instead of representing the men, the union owns part of the company and agrees with whatever the company suggests. The union is worried about making money for their publicity stunt trips, which accomplish nothing but giving them a vacation.
Our men are denied their retirement. They have to go back to work. The company lays them off or fires them before their retirement is due, so they either don’t get it or have to start all over again at another mine. The company treats the men worse than trash.
Aside from the mines, drug dealers from out of state target our youth and people who are out of options. They lure them in with drugs or promises of money when they need it so badly, then never let them get out, therefore leaving families hooked on drugs and a life of poverty.
People are stealing everything they can get their hands on — either for drugs or out of the natural instinct for survival. Gas and oil folks are taking advantage, trespassing and not being made to do right by the ones they’ve wronged. Our justice system has failed the ones who provide their livelihood.
West Virginia Supreme Court justices can do whatever they want and not be held accountable. Same goes for our governor. Every year we pay more taxes. For what? Not our roads, as we can all attest. West Virginians should stand up, be heard and demand fair treatment.
Hattie Berry
Fairview
Can’t blame everyone for the actions of a few
George Floyd was not an innocent individual. This being said, he did not deserve to die for his misdeeds. Everyone agreed. This gave us an opportunity to make positive progress in race relations and police procedure.
It is a shame that due to the riots, destruction, burning and looting, we’ve most likely lost this opportunity and possibly made a negative impact.
It is not right to blame an entire race for the behavior of a few. This, unfortunately, could very well be the case, as indicated by the way all police are being blamed for the misdeeds of a few.
As for people destroying the statues around the nation, they are so misguided that they don’t realize that some of these statues are of people who agreed with their cause. Go figure!
At this point, it might be a good time for all of us to follow the golden rule: Treat others as we would like to be treated.
Patrick Nabors
Morgantown
