HUGE IRONY

I could not help but see the huge irony considering the headline of the
Sunday paper on Dec. 14. If you remember, it was on this morning that all
the news media were broadcasting the capture of Saddam Hussein. Because his
capture was such a breaking story Saturday night, it did not make the
headlines in most Sunday papers across the nation. The Ledger-Enquirer had
a headline that read "SUV Driver Recounts Fear." This story detailed the
fears of Warren Beaulah the night of the now infamous shooting of Kenneth
Walker on I-185.

How ironic that the nation was celebrating the capture of a tyrant who had
orchestrated several terrorist acts against his own people, and a local
community was seeking answers after a senseless killing here in our own
back yard.

When confused about the African-American skepticism to America's invasion
of Iraq, you need only look at events such as the Kenneth Walker shooting
for a glimpse of understanding.

It is tough for a people who still face covert acts of oppression in their
own nation not to feel ambivalent about such a war. This is not to imply
that I know whether the shooting on I-185 was influenced by race, but it is
very hard not to think otherwise. This is yet another vivid reminder that
many of us put on masks of political correctness when it comes to
authentically discussing issues pertaining to race in America.

STEPHEN AKINDURO, Columbus