Letters

I read your February 27 editorial, “A Lesson Learned,” with sorrow — and compassion.

Yes, context matters. Both photos would have been better served with captions that fully explained the wrong in each image and explained the “why” behind their being published to avoid misunderstanding by those who don’t want to read the entire article.

But why do you say it was “misguided” for the photos to be published? Did I miss the memo that Black History Month can only be “a celebration of all they have achieved and contributed to life in our communities”?

Examining the cruelty and tragedy of injustice on Black communities is part of Black History Month. When Martin Luther King Jr. called on us to march, he said: “We shall overcome.” His words made it plain: There was injustice to overcome.

How does only celebrating the pretty parts tell the full story of Black history in the United States? The two terrible photos saddened and educated us by showing factual events that truly did happen in Suffolk County and American history.

As to your second point: There should have been Black people on both organizations’ boards to inform their decisions. Of course, working alongside Black and Brown people is always better and to be relentlessly pursued. But you then suggest that this is a prerequisite to be able to thoughtfully consider issues of race in America.

I wonder how you were able to make this determination on your own — given that your editorial and leadership board seems to be, according to your website, 100 percent white?

I believe you meant well, but casting stones and piling on to well-meaning individuals who tried and didn’t get it perfect does not help.

You know what helps? Publish the difficult photos and explain why what we see is wrong, so we never let it happen again. Recruit people of all races to the Express News Group editorial board, and all boards.

Where we see injustice, all of us must work to stop it. If we fail, we apologize. We learn. And we try again.

Kim Caviness Vaus

Chicago, Illinois

Vaus is a frequent visitor to Southampton — Ed.