Letters to the editor

Volume One, Issue 24, March 2 - March 8, 2007

nt>Seeking family memories

Dear Chelsea Now,
My father and mother had a candy and stationary store, Singer’s Stationary, at 188 Ninth Ave. from the early 1950s to 1961. I’ve been looking for photos of the store for years and have come up dry. The closest I’ve gotten are some photos from the late 40s of the corners Ninth Avenue and 22nd and 21st from the New York Public Library’s Digital collection. Of course, these years pre-date my father’s store, and my father’s store was between these two corners (22nd and 21st, on the east side of the avenue). I’m trying to write a book about my parents, their store and those particular years (1950–1961) in Chelsea. For any guidance you or any of your readers could provide in locating photos and/or articles, remembrances, histories or online forums regarding this period, I would be most grateful.
Jonathan Singer
Singer currently resides at 12632 Parks Farm Lane, Charlotte, N.C. 28277.

Backing Barack without guilt

To The Editor:
Re “Barack’s black dilemma: Figuring the funk factor” (talking point, by Salim Muwakkil, Feb. 23):
Salim Muwakkil’s column was disturbing and even revealed that the author still has a heavy burden of racism on his shoulders. I was lucky to be born in Greenwich Village in 1965. I was taught that black is beautiful, women are equal (if not superior) and that “gays” are just like you and me (if you’re not gay) and deserve all the rights and respect that humans should give to each other. I never questioned what was taught to me as being right or wrong, because it seemed so obvious and common-sensical that it is true or just. I looked at the past and wondered, how could people be this way? How could they have done that?
As I grew older and experienced life, I met people who were racist, sexist and homophobic and people who were bad or mean to people they didn’t even know. However, unlike Mr. Muwakkil, I believe that the fact that we have an “African-American,” a “woman American,” a “Hispanic American,” etc. running for president shows how great this country is and how great we are yet to become. I think he is wrong to bring up slavery guilt as the major motive driving “white America” to vote or back Mr. Obama. This to me is so last century.
Tony Brill

Obama is the anti-Bush

To The Editor:
Re “Barack’s black dilemma: Figuring the funk factor” (talking point, by Salim Muwakkil, Feb. 23):
Salim Muwakkil’s column has raised some interesting issues regarding Barack Obama’s candidacy for president. However, after six years of the present administration, Obama’s star shines in the firmament. He is intelligent, articulate, well versed on the issues and has an approach to policy that is not ideologically driven. What a relief! I, frankly, do not care about the validity of his origins. This country is in serious trouble and needs a president that will be able to lead and has a different worldview than this administration, which is characterized by bellicosity and an embattled philosophy of us versus them.
The next president must re-establish this country’s credibility, which has been severely tarnished. This can only be done through the avenue of diplomacy and restoring the rights inherent in the Constitution and recognizing the Geneva Conventions. At one time, our nation was admired for its democracy and human rights. No more. After the travesties of Iraq, Abu Ghraib, extraordinary rendition and secret C.I.A. prisons, the policies of this country are desperately in need of rehabilitation. This country may be a world power, but it is nothing in the face of world adversity.
Jean Standish

Andrei gets Anna Nicole

To The Editor:
Re “Anna Nicole Smith: Media creature” (talking point, by Andrei Codrescu, Feb. 16):
I was thrilled to read the article on Anna Nicole by Andrei Codrescu. Finally, someone not afraid to express feelings for someone the media has made a mockery of. She never claimed to be anything more than she was. To die at such a young age, with so much sorrow behind her, is truly a shame. She might not have made wise choices in her public persona, but who are we to judge? She was a beautiful woman and I felt a sadness that even amazed me. I was glad to at least read one positive article regarding her.
So I salute you Andrei for taking a stand that I also felt and letting the public know. Hopefully, her daughter will one day see your article and realize people did smile hearing her name. She was really something. Thank you. I can’t wait to read about Britney.
Fran Miller

A little bit of decency

To The Editor:
Re “Anna Nicole Smith: Media creature” (talking point, by Andrei Codrescu, Feb. 16):
I’m from Wildwood, Mo., and I would like to let Andrei Codrescu know that was a really good article in the paper. At least someone gives her a little bit of decency. I have followed her career as much as I could. I didn’t agree with a lot of it, but I’m sure if she hadn’t been influenced by other things, she would have done great things in her life. I really believe that.
Lisa Schilb