LETTERS

Dear Editor:

As an African-American, I was offended by state Sen. Doug Berger’s theatrical pandering during the Henderson-Vance County Black Leadership Caucus Candidate Forum.

Instead of talking about things that we face in this district, he went after his opponent, Chuck Stires, using examples which Berger hoped would make him look good to the Black Caucus.

Instead, it made him look insincere to many, many others. He tried to tie Stires to the controversial Republican TV ad. Berger said the ad was race-baiting and said something about the 1898 Wilmington race riots.

That was a horrible thing that happened in North Carolina. But in his attempts to pander to the African-American audience, Berger must have “forgotten” that it was the Democratic Party who used violence against blacks.

He used some very mean words, but he revised history to fit the show he was putting on.

Did Doug Berger assume we don’t know the truth? I think he was just pandering for votes. He insulted our intelligence and put another wedge into our community.

Mr. Berger must not think we know real race-baiting when we see it.

Stires treated the Black Caucus audience with respect, properly addressed the issues and made a thoughtful presentation.

Berger’s theatrics were inappropriate and his performance and pandering were not in keeping for a state senator.

Stires would make a better senator.

Bud Holden
Youngsville