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Columnist ignoramus

I read Shawn Edwards's (Reverberations) column regarding (Jason) Whitlock's Cro-Magnon thoughts on hip-hop ("Fact checkin'," Feb. 17-23) and thought he was right on the money. Usually when attention-seeking blowhards (Pat Buchanan, Jesse Ventura, Fred Phelps, Whitlock...) spout off, my first reaction is to ignore them and not give them the satisfaction of discussing their shit at the water cooler. But Edwards is right. When someone speaks out so publicly about something you feel powerfully about, you must give them the bite in the ass they deserve.

With that column, Edwards has yet again solidified his credibility with people who have the capacity to look beyond what they read and actually use their heads for something other than paperweights. In the end, what else can you do?

Be proud. He got it right.

-- Jamie Raven Lawrence, Kan.

Right on for exposing Jason "I'm really a middle-class black guy trying to be a hoodie" Whitlock!

His comments were ignorant, lacked integrity, and, unfortunately, legitimized the skewed (and at times unfounded) concerns of some individuals, and of some people in the media.

The key word here, however, is "some." I was baffled, and that happens a lot when I read his columns, by how he could condemn hip-hop and rap music AND boast that he writes rap music/hip-hop columns for Vibe magazine. I would think that there are only three choices: to condemn, support, or shut the fuck up.

Although I applaud Shawn Edwards' counterpoint, I'm not so sure that I would have used Sean "Puffy" Combs as a role model, given his recent legal troubles. I hope Edwards realizes that he will probably "get blasted" for that one, but it's the thought that counts.

And a final right-on for "blasting" Whitlock for his immaturity at Foxboro Stadium a couple of years ago. I sure hope the "Fred Phelps rap video" didn't influence Jason's actions that day! Does Alan Keyes rap?

-- Darryl A. Stamp Kansas City, Mo.

I read Shawn Edwards' article on hip-hop and felt that I had to make a comment. Blaming society's ills on music, movies, or TV is the only way certain people can justify the acts of violence that are being committed.

I don't think these people want to believe that anyone is capable of committing acts of violence on their own. After all, how can some "good" white kids go into a school and kill 15 or 20 people? It has to be the music or the movies. There is no other explanation. And if a black person commits a crime, then hip-hop must be to blame. Or, if you are really without a clue, it's because "that's just what those people do."

I've watched all the violent movies and listened to some of the violence-filled music. I was raised watching cartoons that are more violent than some movies and songs of today, yet somehow I don't have the urge to commit a crime.

If you want to commit a crime, you will. To blame it on the music or movies is just a way to shove the real causes into the background so no one will have to deal with it. To deal with the real problems behind the violence, social inequities, mental problems, etc. would be to admit that society has problems. Too many people are afraid to believe that. They want to live in their lily-white worlds shielded from the truth.

Well, I have to go now. I have to drop an anvil on someone's head because I just saw Wyle E. Coyote do it.

Thanks for the good article.

-- Joe Shockey Kansas City, Mo. In the swim

Shawn Edwards' recent article, "Doin' the aqua boogie" (Feb. 17-23), was engaging, well-researched, and well-written. It was educational in its portrayal of young athletes with natural skill who are fighting battles and going far beyond hard practice sessions in a school district in unstable times.

In addressing the negative peer pressure focused on the team, Edwards touched briefly but effectively on stereotyping. For example, swimmer Albert Lowe is quoted as saying that other students have called them gay because they have to wear Speedos. Lowe handles it well: "I don't care. It just motivates me to keep my body fit. Plus, the girls like the way we look in them."

The very fact that Edwards addresses the issue but does not dwell on it should help dispel the ignorance that causes such attitudes in the first place. As a non-black, non-young, non-student, non-competitive swimmer, but one who does want to learn and expand my knowledge, the article inspired and taught me. Well done.

-- R.E. Roodebush Kansas City, Mo.Thanks for doing the article about swimming at Central. My daughters have been in USS Swimming for 10 years, and we have watched the work of Leonard Horne. In fact, he was one of the area coaches assigned to the Zone Championship Team our daughter trained with seven years ago.

I have always been impressed with Leonard's leadership of his team. Personally, we have been delighted to see Leonard's team develop and grow. Even though he is correct when he says there are few people of color at the meets, his team has developed as the best example of a multiple-race team and is an inspiration.