Cleveland, Incorporated

 Gangsta corporations mug black citizens: Bob Gross has every right to express his outrage [Letters, May 30] over Michelle Hamilton's letter [May 16] that condemned whites for persecuting and exploiting blacks. But Gross was absolutely wrong to blame blacks for all of the corruption in Cleveland and its schools. Cleveland is run by the white corporate community that uses some blacks as pawns and cat's paws to rip off tax dollars for construction of schools, stadiums, etc.

Carl Stokes, the best black politician and leader that blacks have ever had in this city, pointed that out years ago in the last interview he gave before he died. "Cleveland is a company town, just like the old mining towns in the 1800s," he said. "Everything is controlled by the corporations. When you speak out, they beat you down. They discredit you, or they try to buy you off. It's like that all over the country."

Blacks don't control anything of great moment in Cleveland. They are powerless to get anything meaningful done to combat crime, poverty, education deficiency, drugs, etc., which have created a black underclass, because the establishment is too busy with its black lackeys ripping off the damned town.

Bert Jennings
Shaker Heights

Those Freedom Fries are tastin' mighty stale: "In what country do black people have it better than in the United States? In what country do they have better employment, education, health care, and other quality of life?"

Almost certainly Canada, the U.K., and France, to name just three [Letters, May 30]. Seriously, does Mr. Gross not honestly know that black Americans, on average, have less health coverage and worse health outcomes than just about any other demographic in the country, while black citizens of those three countries have universal health care? The quality-of-life measurements in those countries are easily ascertainable, but I suspect Gross is more interested in pushing an ideological agenda than, you know, learning something.

"It is also horrible the way whites have been forced by blacks to flee their neighborhoods," he says.

Forced? We're talking about competent adults with free will here, right?

Phil Dennison
Cleveland Heights

Ten-Point Penalty
She might have a game plan, but she don't got game: Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer should find another topic ["Battle of the PD Columnists," C-Notes, clevescene.com, June 1]. The plight of the black community is a concern for all, not just a selected few. After reading her columns, as well as 10-point plans submitted by Powell Caesar and Rev. Dr. Marvin McMickle, it is even more obvious to all that these so-called black leaders have no idea what to do about the problems plaguing our communities.

Results are not driven by one-stop slogans. Brett is obviously trying to wedge a wider ax between the entire community, as opposed to building an open dialogue of resolution. I just wonder how many 10-point plans Brett actually received, not just the one or two that she and The Plain Dealer attempt to publicize and manipulate.

Whether you want to believe this or not, there are a lot of outstanding blacks taking a stand in their communities. Regina, stop playing games -- find another way to waste your ink. We have enough to worry about besides your plans of spreading poison and hatred throughout our neighborhoods.

Kimberly F. Brown
Cleveland

Conya Dig It?
Doss a delight in person and onstage: Your article [Nightwatch, June 6] is exactly the kind of press needed. I recently saw a show by Conya Doss, and it was truly a treasure. As a listener for the past three years, it was an absolute delight to witness her in person. She is humble to a fault and indeed a secret to an industry that desperately needs fresh faces and voices.

Kudos for recognizing your city's talent and challenging the makers of the box that we are all being forced into.

Stephanie Hannah
Baltimore, Maryland

Commendable Harassment
Kolcinko's defenders are taking it on the chin: I wanted to thank you personally for the rags you continue to write about Andrew Kolcinko ["Caught on Tape," February 21]. You, along with the other media, have continually harassed us and have totally played into the hands of this so-called victim, Elizabeth, and her family. All of you have done nothing but continue to dig these holes deeper, making it harder for all of us to go on with our lives.

We will not let this person, or you, ruin our lives. But there is a child involved, and it seems to be that everyone has forgotten that, including you and your so-called reporter. You've done your damage and continue to do so -- enough already. Move on to your next victim. We're left picking up the pieces for the rest of our lives, when you, in your sick and twisted world, can put it behind you and move on.