I had a small letter to the editor published in the Red and Black today. My letter was in response to this editorial, where the author seemed to indicate that businesses in Athens are breaking the law when they limit which customers can enter their private property.

I completely understand the author’s purpose in writing this, but I think the piece would have been much better if it had focused on the how racism downtown affects minority recruitment efforts, instead of legal matters.

Here is a copy of my letter:

Totten treads worn trails with column

Mr. Totten, it seems you have brought up the same subject that is discussed in The Red & Black every spring.

In fact, last April I wrote a very similar letter to the editor when someone else complained about the possible racist treatment of some at the bars downtown.

I would like to reiterate my point: a private business can have whatever policy it wishes regarding who it serves. This is not illegal, as you seem to believe it is.

I also would like to offer you the same advice I gave a year ago: you are free to open your own establishment where you only let in people wearing silver chains, black shoes, mohawks or whatever quality you wish.

You have this right, as does every other owner of a private business.

CHRIS M. LINDSEY
Junior, Grayson
Political Science

And while I must say I appreciate the Red and Black for publishing this letter, I wish they had written a better byline.

Chris wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Red and Black (the independent student newspaper of the University of Georgia) in response to an editorial about the shooting death of 88-year-old Kathryn Johnston.

Ms. Johnston was shot and killed after three undercover police officers executed a “no knock” search warrant at her house (CNN article) on November 21. Ms. Johnson had attempted to defend herself, firing upon and striking three of the officers.

The letter to the editor can be found here, under the title “Cops got schooled by 88-year-old.” The original editorial can be found here.

In response to Shane Vaiskauskas’ editorial, how do you know that Ms. Johnston “failed to properly educate herself on firearm usage”? Give me a break!

She must have had some type of firearms training, because she shot all three cops, even while (as you so succinctly put it) it was dark and she was disoriented.

Maybe it was the cops who needed a little more training, like Self Defense 101 or maybe How To Spot Someone Who Is Pointing A Gun At You 101.

The fault here does not rest with Ms. Johnston. She obviously defended herself pretty well.