Sir, – I think I speak on behalf of most of the good people in the Tayside region that the defacing of the George Floyd mural in Dundee was appalling and absolutely abhorrent.
It is very good that local councillors including council leader John Alexander and Phil Scott have condemned this disgusting act.
The mural, which was a fantastic piece of art by Symon Mathieson (aka Sykes), was done to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
This was defaced by cowards who thought it would be appropriate to put a white supremacist symbol on the mural along with George’s face being the target of a sniper rifle.
The same vandals also painted over the word “Black” with white paint so that it only read “Lives Matter”.
This completely misses the point of the movement that black people have been systematically oppressed for centuries and that racism needs to be defeated and consigned to the dustbin of history where it belongs.
It is very good that local people in the area last night turned up to redo the damage done by the racist scum who had defaced the original mural.
However, as the mural is in a very secluded area of Dundee on the Hilltown, it is easy for opportunistic racists to deface it without getting caught.
I think it may be a good idea for the council to facilitate an area in the city centre where Sykes could do another (perhaps bigger) mural on the issue where more people could see it and so that it was in an area where the chances of it being defaced would be reduced.
Kyle Rourke.
Stand Up To Racism Tayside.
Governments should govern
Sir, – It seems to me that our society is increasingly being afflicted by mob rule, the latest manifestation being the removal of statues and historical symbols that the mob disapproves of.
We see increasing instances of “demonstrations” and “protests” about subjects and events that have little bearing on the future of our nation and are arguably trivial in comparison to the realities of life in the UK in the 21st Century.
When can we expect to see some social discipline being imposed by our governing authorities that seem so fearful of offending any minority in our society and thereby reducing voting potential.
We vote for governments to govern, not to be swayed by temporary outbursts of indignation from minorities who seem inflamed by poorly understood issues and seem to be encouraged by media self-interest and poor standards of reporting.
Derek Farmer.
Knightsward Farm,
Anstruther.
Scotland could honour Floyd
Sir, – The death of George Floyd in police custody would be appalling at any time but here, today, in 2020?
Sadly the tiny minority who looted, vandalised and attacked the police traduced the memory of Mr Floyd – gaining media attention none of them deserve. We can’t airbrush history by pulling down a few statues – especially as all of us alive today across the world were in the past either slave traders or benefited from them – what made Glasgow, for example, the second city of the empire?
To honour George Floyd’s memory perhaps our Scottish cities should consider erecting a statue to him.
How far we have all come as a world civilisation so far.
But how much, much further we must go to make a fair and just society. That’s in all our hands, not just those of politicians.
Bill Porteous.
East Neuk & Landward councillor,
Fife.
Radical action to save the planet
Sir, – How tragic that so many lives have been lost during this pandemic, yet out of tragedy we usually always find something beneficial to be gained.
The benefit I can see is man has an opportunity to clean up our planet for the betterment of our children and grandchildren.
People are marvelling at how clean city air is at the moment due to virtually no vehicles polluting the streets.
Indeed, with all flying at a minimum one would imagine the whole planet is benefiting.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if mankind grabbed this opportunity?
I’ve heard scientists say they cannot see man survive beyond 2050 if we carry on the way we are going.
How about these suggestions for starters to sort out the planet:
From 2022, all new cars bought must be electric;
All petrol and diesel driven cars must be off the road by 2025;
Fuel companies must diversify and build solar panels, wind turbines, and hydro power stations. They could also install car charging points throughout the country which will be required very quickly;
All holidays abroad using flights to stop. Holidays must be taken in one’s home country or via travel by car or ferry to the continent;
Planes must become solar powered. This will take time as this innovation is still in the early stages;
It must be the same for ferries and shipping. They must diversify as well. This may be more difficult but there is no reason why it could not happen if we have the desire to do so.
Now, this may all come across as quite radical but that is what is needed.
Of course the capitalists in our society would poo-poo this as unworkable because they would be the ones to suffer most.
What a shame that they would be asked to plough their billions into something beneficial to mankind rather than their pockets.
Perhaps they should realise when we talk of extinction, that includes them as well.
Robert Donald.
Denhead Farm,
Ceres.
True cost might never be known
Sir, – Will the UK and Scottish governments’ anti-Covid measures end up causing more health damage than the virus?
A former professor of pathology claimed recently that due to statistical sloppiness “we have no idea how many lives have really been lost to the disease”. What we do know is that there has been a large number of excess deaths since the lockdowns began.
These appear to have been caused largely by delayed cancer referrals and treatment, and by people with cardiac problems delaying going to A&E for fear of contracting the virus in hospital.
Add to all this the various immune system and mental health consequences of the “stay home” message, and it looks like the long-term result will be disastrous, not only in terms of deaths but also of quality years lost.
George Morton.
29 Hudson Road,
Rosyth.
Dunce fear for home schoolers
Sir, – In 1941 my father moved our family from Greenock, just before the blitz, to Millport ‘doon the wa’er’ where we continued our schooling for three years.
Returning to our school in Greenock, I realised the teaching had been very different in Millport so that, on return, I was treated as the class dunce.
It took some time to climb back up. I see the same danger for children today from families where home education has not been able to keep up during the ‘long holiday’.
It will need a great deal of special care and effort from our precious teaching profession.
Dr Norma Smith.
7 Adelaide Terrace,
Dundee.
