Dozier’s school in Florida was a nightmare

“Nickel Boys”

In “Nickel Boys” Florida’s shame reflects American indifference | Column, January 30th

I read Stephanie Hayes’ column, and her words sparked painful memories that I couldn’t ignore. Her article publishes the African American experiences under Florida’s isolated system, but it must be added that the brutal legacy of that era is far beyond racial boundaries. Not there.

I was also a victim of that cruel system. Sent from Tampa as a whimsical boy no one wanted, I endured the same dehumanising conditions. I was white so I wasn’t punished that much. I was there when it was separated and integrated, but the cruelty still remained unabated. I ran three times. Each escape was filled with severe punishment – whipping, lonely confinement, and finally, a long stretch of dark cells at Jackson County Jail. These tragic experiences testify to the indiscriminate cruelty of the time.

In 1968, Florida Governor Claude Kirk visited the facility while being held at a school suffering from overcrowding and severe conditions. He witnessed the suffering firsthand and stated, “someone should have blown whi away a long time ago.” That horrifying statement was more than just political rhetoric. It was the raw recognition of systemic neglect and abuse that hurt everyone involved.

Florida’s dark history of abuse, neglect and systematic abuse is not simply a black story. It is a human tragedy. Nickel Boys captures the unique horrors that endured African American youth in Jim Crow South, but my painful memories are the widespread cruelty of that era, without exception, that I am. It reminds us that it has influenced all of us.

Ray Watford, Hilliard, Ohio

There is no vote of confidence

If FEMA is dumped, FLA will not stimulate confidence | Line, February 2nd

Graham Brink’s recent column was spot-on highlighting the absurdity of the Trump administration’s idea of ​​scrapping FEMA and handing over disaster relief funds to the United States. If there is one thing Florida has proven over and over, it is that it is absolutely unreliable to handle even the simplest government functions.

This is the same situation where people in need have not been able to get unemployment checks, and they have continued to overcome major challenges as they lost the Covid-19 vaccine thanks to their tinsel website. And under GOP leadership, we cannot even agree to unnecessary immigration policies, let alone as important as disaster relief. If history is any indicator, that FEMA money will disappear faster than the dignity of Florida men on Saturday night.

Brink was right to call this idea about what it was. Another example of Republicans pretending that “state rights” means competent governance is actually just the opportunity for more opportunities to fail on a massive scale.

David Berg, Tampa

What’s amazing

If FEMA is dumped, FLA will not stimulate confidence | Line, February 2nd

The column, which spurred the idea of ​​dumping FEMA, was eye-opening. There are too many articles written from the perspective of lawmakers. This isn’t necessarily bad, but when almost all of our state leaders are in one political party, it is not beneficial to our citizens. This column shows that actual bread and butter issues such as disaster relief, unemployment benefits, public health, and support for disabled and children with autism have been ignored (or worse, refunded). It has been shown. Meanwhile, I read about the cautions paid to immigrants every day. When will our lawmakers begin to address the daily issues their members face?

Angelimeson, St. Petersburg

Why resist?

Dem will elect national chairman from Minnesota | February 2nd

On Sunday, in the Tampa Bay Times, he went back to the side of the 19-page obituary and said Democrats had announced new leadership. But before the ink in the first paragraph dries, their mission statement calls for resistance to the current presidency. This reader praises Democrats for their sticking to guns (allowing gun references, poetic licenses), but it is clear that their platform does not resonate with voters. Campaign season is over. It’s time to apply the governance of people’s choice. Resistance is counterproductive.

Mark Campbell, St. Petersburg

Customs

Trump considers tariffs in China, Canada and Mexico February 3

So, I’ll straighten this. People have to pay higher prices for products from Canada and Mexico as they choose to die of fentanyl addiction by taking illegal drugs. If people choose to die by taking illegal drugs, it’s not mine, it’s their choice. How about putting tariffs on drug dealers instead?

Blue Canbell, Pinellas Park