Chelsea Powell’s effort to support Black Lives Matter is both powerful and inspiring

On Chelsea Powell

I was so moved when I read the recent Island Packet article on Chelsea Powell, the young woman who for the last several weeks has been holding a makeshift Black Lives Matter sign while standing along roads and highways in Bluffton and Hilton Head.

I could not be prouder of Chelsea — not even if she was my own granddaughter.

What Chelsea is doing is powerful and inspiring; she is simply urging those who pass by to consider her message.

I also think Chelsea makes a brilliant observation when she points out that whenever wildlife advocates chant “Save the Whales!,” others don’t instantly respond by replying “Save All Animals!” — so why should people reply “All Lives Matter” whenever protesters chant “Black Lives Matter”?

I now know exactly what to say when I hear people say that all lives matter whenever others raise the need for Black lives to matter. Hopefully it will make my friends and acquaintances think before they dismiss the Black Lives Matter plea.

The truth is that all lives can only matter when the most disenfranchised of our brothers and sisters are able to receive equal justice under the law — and equal opportunities for employment, housing and health care.

Thank you, Chelsea, for attempting to enlighten all of us who live somewhat sheltered lives here in the Lowcountry.

Cherry Baumgartner, Hilton Head Island

On big box stores

Stein Mart has become the latest big box store to close on Hilton Head Island, and that means we have yet another large empty space in our local community.

It may be time for Hilton Head to consider requiring all commercial/retail permits to include “post” plans in the event that the properties are vacated.

We love our beautiful community and cherish all of its beauty, so perhaps we should either require “post” plans in advance or reject big box stores altogether.

Dee Ray, Hilton Head Island

On college football

I believe that the recent editorial calling for college football to be postponed this fall was a misleading one.

Many people want football to resume this fall, and I have no evidence to suggest that these individuals are somehow less honorable than the writer who wrote that editorial.

There are numerous proponents for having a college football season, and they include:

▪ Players.

▪ Coaches.

▪ Trainers.

▪ Fans.

▪ The support staff workers who earn a living by preparing the stadium, parking cars and selling food and drinks to game spectators.

▪ Hospitality workers in college communities.

▪ Local business owners.

The list goes on and on, and these people are no more greedy than those who own newspapers or other media organizations.

Some college football players will have their hard work rewarded by future careers in the National Football League; for other players, the rewards will come in the form of great memories.

The fact is there are risks to playing football; players can be injured or even die. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of players will not

I also believe that the editorial exaggerated the risk of student athletes contracting COVID-19. Based on the state Department of Health and Environmental Control’s recent data, a South Carolinian’s odds of testing positive are 2% — and the likelihood of survival for those who do test positive is nearly 98%.

There is reason for caution, but not for panic.

James Pennell, Beaufort

This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 3:28 PM.