Don't play race card
Why did Jon Morgan want to play the race card in his article last week, "Black-and-white issue?"
Race is not an issue. A great African-American, Martin Luther King, once said that a person should not be judged on the color of his skin but rather on the content of his character. This is demonstrated in sports time and time again. Owners, general manager, managers and coaches sign those players who help their organizations win games.
Why does Mr. Morgan suggest that race is a factor when it comes to signing quarterbacks? He couldn't be more wrong. Coach Brian Billick wants a quarterback who can win games regardless of his race or ethnicity.
In addition, Mr. Morgan suggests that maybe there aren't enough role models in the quarterback position for African-Americans. Has white America ever complained about not having enough role models at wide receiver, running back or practically every other position? No.
True fans care about who wears our team uniform, not what color skin comes out of the sleeves. So, Mr. Morgan, in a time when we need to develop better race relations, don't bring up issues that further divide us.
Brett M. Smith,
Baltimore
Swimmers count, too
Last Monday, The Sun issued a special edition previewing the winter high school season.
Let me first state that I was happy to see that the edition recognized a high school sport that, unfortunately, is given a minor news role (if any) in the daily newspaper. That sport is swimming.
Swimmers are athletes, the same as football, basketball, baseball, etc. Swimming has long been an Olympic sport, yet swimmers and their coaches and parents are not reported on in the newspapers to the same degree as other sports.
However, even in the special edition, The Sun gave a large write-up on three schools (Loyola, McDonogh and Gilman) and a very small write-up on two other teams (Severn and Notre Dame Prep). There was no mention of all the remaining active Baltimore-area swim teams (Calvert Hall, Mount St. Joseph, Archbishop Spalding, Boys' Latin, St. Paul's and various public schools).
These omitted teams may not have stars or champions, yet they are composed of kids who work extremely hard to become good swimmers. I know that they were very disappointed that no mention was made of their team efforts or that they even existed.
Samuel J. Hardesty,
Linthicum
