Editor, Times-Dispatch: Oh, the irony!
"Macaca," whatever that actually means, is the least of it. George Allen lambasts Jim Webb for meeting with "Hollywood moguls," presumably right near the site of Allen's birth: Whittier, California -- a fact oddly unmentioned on the "About George Allen" page of the campaign's Website. Then Allen welcomes S.R. Sidarth, born in Fairfax, to Virginia.
Welcome, indeed. Mike Maceyka. richmond.
. . .
Editor, Times-Dispatch: What's worse -- Senator George Allen's outrageous racial slur directed at an American citizen of Indian ancestry or his staff's equally offensive effort to spin the story by claiming Allen used the name of a Native American Indian tribe as a "nickname" deriding the man's hair style?
Our senator's clearly audible words and his campaign staff's inept spinmeistering speak volumes about this sorry affair. We know full well what Allen really said from the recording. The definition of "macaca" is clear a very common type of rhesus monkey. It also is a shameful term of derision in some loutish circles for individuals of color or those who trace their ancestry to North Africa.
One would pray that there is no place in our society for such offensive and racially charged language. That it came from the mouth of a serving senator is beyond comprehension. Gordon I. Peterson. springfield.
. . .
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Senator George Allen delivered a racist and hurtful remark toward a fellow Virginian -- a young man born and raised in Fairfax. The video shows an insensitive Allen singling out a man of Indian descent during an otherwise all-white campaign rally in Southwest Virginia.
While Allen claims not to know the meaning of the name he called ("Macaca") S.R. Sidarth, why would someone use a name he doesn't know the meaning of? More likely, he learned the word growing up -- his mother is a Tunisian of French descent, and the French meaning of this word is monkey, or worse, a serious racial slur.
Allen would do well to realize Virginia is changing and growing, and we have citizens here of all races and religions. They contribute greatly to our culture and our economy and are every bit as American as he. In fact, Sidarth has spent his entire life as a Virginian -- unlike Allen, who came by way of Southern California.
I hope the mature electorate in this state recognizes what a character flaw this brings to light, and that we cannot afford to elect a bigot to represent us in the Senate. It's time to make a big change. Debby Burroughs. chesterfield.
. . .
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Senator George Allen used the word "macaca" twice when referring to a young man of Asian Indian descent. His apology: "I never want to embarrass or demean anyone and I apologize if my comments offended this young man." (Emphasis mine.)
This sounds like a totally insincere attempt at appeasement. Does this mean that Allen is apologizing, only if, by chance, the young man is offended?
Why not just say, "I apologize. I made a terrible blunder. My comments were extremely insulting"?
Furthermore, Allen owes an apology to all of Virginia. He is my senator, and his remarks do not portray Virginia as I want it to be, or as I want the rest of the rest of the United States and rest of the world to see us. Margo Sommer. chester.
. . .
Editor, Times-Dispatch: How dare he!
Senator Allen stuck his cowboy boot right in his mouth with his "macaca" statement. To welcome an American-born citizen to the country just because he has an Indian name is prejudice.
As pointed out on "The Daily Show," this could be a good thing for Allen, since this is Virginia. It is really sad that people around the country view our state that way.
One sure way to start reversing this image: Vote the redneck out! Bernice H. Eddleton. richmond.
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