Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Black men at risk a ‘horrible legacy’

I have the pleasure of reading Leonard Pitts Jr.’s column in the San Jose Mercury News. More often than not, he brings me to tears with his honesty. I’m a 78-year-old white woman, and it saddens me that it seems “open season” on black men.

What a horrible legacy for America. I always thought police were here to protect all citizens. Instead, they are able to get away with killing innocent young men. How do mothers cope? I have two sons and never felt the fear they must when letting them go.

I can’t wrap my head around this and my heart just aches.

Verna Johnson, Santa Clara, Ca.

This story was originally published November 28, 2014 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Black men at risk a ‘horrible legacy’."

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