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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Aug. 5 Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Aug. 5, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 5, 2016 at 12:01 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Should racially offensive books remain on display? » Social News Dismayed by story We are dismayed by the inaccurate portrayal of our interactions with Judi Honoré of Shakespeare Books & Antiques in the Ashland Daily Tidings article “Shakespeare Festival vs. Shakespeare Books.” The image of the big, bad festival censoring the small independent bookstore makes for a juicy headline, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. There have been ongoing, respectful discussions between OSF company members and Judi for over a month now. Community members of color, curious about the meaning of books like "Little Black Sambo" being displayed alongside "The Wizard of Oz" as we stage "The Wiz," inquired directly to Judi, sharing with her that the specific imagery, books and placement communicated something hurtful to them. As a result of this conversation, Judi chose to adjust the display. She then later chose to reinstate the original display and shared with some OSF employees that she was angry that the initial conversation had been discussed within the OSF company. An ongoing dialogue between Judi and OSF leaders followed, and we informed her privately that OSF would decline to do business with her in the future. This decision about business-related purchases is not a boycott. It is not censorship. It is asking a citizen of our community to consider the feelings of her fellow citizens. Not just the words, but the images on the covers of these books reinforce harmful stereotypes steeped in our nation’s history of racism and slavery, and are vivid and hurtful to the people of color who initially approached Judi. We have never asked Judi to not sell the books in question. But to have them displayed prominently in a Main Street window is problematic and worthy of a deeper discussion. Members of any religious, ethnic, differently abled or any other underrepresented group would likely find offense to a demeaning caricature of their culture prominently displayed in a store window, even if it is part of a banned books display. While we are deeply frustrated that polite requests, honest criticism, and heartfelt dialogue are being portrayed as censorship, we celebrate the fact that these conversations about race and diversity are happening. Our country is in the midst of a long-overdue second Civil Rights Movement, and we should be looking with fresh eyes at things we used to take for granted, even something as simple as a bookstore display. Bill Rauch, OSF artistic director Cynthia Rider, OSF executive director An important lesson As someone who is working to be a white ally in the struggle against racism, an important lesson for me has been to simply listen. If a person of color tells me that something is hurtful to them, it is not for me to debate the finer points of whether they should or should not be hurt, or in what way they should be hurt, or whether or not the intention was for them to be hurt. It is my job to listen and then to say, "How can I help?" And if I make a mistake, however well-meaning, and cause the harm, I ask, "What can I do to make it right?" Melissa Malm Ashland Ticket was a surprise After 20 plus years of after-hour parking on the east side of the Key Bank building, I got the first parking ticket of my life on Saturday, July 30. The charge: Improper parking. The sparkling new fee: $20. No new signage or a warning gives a clue to the sudden impropriety. So, for all you Varsity-goers, OSF attendees and downtown diners, this is your heads up. Joanie Nissenberg Ashland Thanks for kindness While shopping recently with my granddaughter, Emily, we had a very pleasant surprise. We were doing garage sales to find children books for our Little Free Libraries. As we paid for the 15 books we bought a gentleman ran over, put a $20 bill on the table and asked us to buy some more. He left before we had a chance to say thanks. So great to live in this town! Myron Hauser Central Point DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Aug. 5, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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