Editor, The Smithfield Times:

I was shocked to see you publish a letter (“Dialogue needed in Isle of Wight,” Aug. 26) with a phrase in quotation marks that was clearly not a quotation in any sense of the word. It could not even be said to have been taken out of context.

The writer did say that he was paraphrasing. But that is not paraphrasing; it is out and out, in my effort to be kind, twisting the truth. He said in quotes that Helen Eggleston said that Black people should be satisfied with where they are because they have it better than other Blacks in the world. If you will go back to the Aug. 19 issue of your paper, you will find in Helen Eggleston’s letter “Memories and Monuments” that she glowingly writes about the history of Blacks and how much they have gained over the decades since the Civil War. If you do not mind, I would like to see that part of her letter reprinted to show that the reverend seriously misquoted her. What she said in her letter was a tribute to all Black people.

 

Linda Reagan

Carrollton