To the Editor:

According to Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of a leader is “one who leads,” chief or person in charge. Do we have good leaders in Selma? The answer is, “No.”

We have people in office getting paid big salaries saying they are our leaders but they do not represent the average person in Selma and Dallas County. They are out for themselves and publicity.

My opinion on the Sanders and Perkins feud is that they should handle it outside of the media’s attention, behind closed doors like all the other meetings in town. The public should not have ever seen what we saw on TV and the other media outlets. Outbursts like that by public officials are why Selma can’t move forward and work together.

It does not have anything to do with black and white people in power. It has to do with egos and agendas for personal gain. White and black folks could work, live, love one another if they would not lie to each other. They need to look at what they have in common, instead of looking at the past and their differences.

I feel there should be an apology for slavery. It should have come years ago, but that ain’t going to be the solution to the problem. Passing legislation is not going to solve the problem with racial problems. It is going to take one big meeting where people come together and have a get-to-know one another and learn about each other’s cultures.

I wish I could get Sen. Sanders to get legislation passed for all of the people who are still in slavery. I also wish I could get a public apology for everything negative that has happened to me or the handicapped population I serve. My chances of getting that are slim to none. Why? Because I am the wrong color to make it happen and I am not politically motivated with a hidden agenda.

If I did get an apology, it would not be an honest one or one from the heart. It would be forced. The senator got his bill passed but it was because of political agendas.

This is not a fare society we live in, there are a lot more forms of discrimination out there than race problems. What we have in Selma are people who just do not want to get along.

They want their own way or no way.

Bad attitude is the biggest problem in Selma. Attitudes can make or break businesses, marriages or friendships. We need a few more honest, kindhearted people in our community to step forward and try to make a difference in a positive way.

That is the way I see it.

William Bowman