For a year or so I faithfully attended Bogalusa City Council meetings, in the hope that participating would help our city move in a positive direction. I stopped attending due to the racial strife presented at just about every meeting.

The racism I witnessed was not from the mayor or city council members. It was from the few speakers that repeatedly accused the city of making decisions based on color. They could not accept that the city did not have the money to blacktop a street in front of a black church, which badly needed repair. It was not accepted that other streets that received a great deal of traffic were given priority.

I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to work with many black men and women of our parish on various civic endeavors and have never experienced the racial venom displayed at Bogalusa City Council meetings. It amazes me that a speaker who accuses the city of racism states a black should hold the position of public works director. Why not a person of whatever color who can do a good job?

I do not believe they speak for the majority of our black community. Peace, my brothers and sisters, peace. Let’s work together in peace!

Lorraine Bourn

Bogalusa