DEAR EDITOR:

Recently a group formed in Canfield calling itself “RED,” or Racial Equality and Diversity. This group is not a part of the city administration and is not sanctioned by it. The motivation of this group is unclear. Its members see a need to “make Canfield a more welcoming community of people of color.”

Is there really a reason for this group to exist? They seem to be implying that the residents of Canfield are racist and bigoted and need some remedial guidance, that we have a guilty conscience and need to change our ways. They have appointed themselves to guide us to a better understanding of RED. This includes “educating the Canfield community on its racial history.”

Who is qualified to do this? Are they implying Canfield has acted immorally in the past?

If there are allegations that our police force targets minorities, show me the evidence. The police records show no such practice. We have a professional police force. If you break the law, regardless of your color, you will get the same treatment.

In some circles there may be a belief that people of color cannot live in Canfield or have been prevented from doing so. Show me an example of an incidence where a person of color was prevented from living in Canfield. There are laws against such discrimination.

If a person has the opinion he / she cannot live in Canfield, he / she is entitled to it, but he / she is not entitled to his / her own facts and make unfounded accusations.

In conclusion, I believe this group is doing more harm than good. No one needs to tell us we need to be more welcoming. The good and caring people of Canfield do not need to be portrayed in this manner.

FRANK A. MICCHIA

Canfield