LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Veganism and redistricting
Concerned about your health? Go vegan
To the Editor,
A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows that the overall death rate for black Americans fell between 1999 and 2015, narrowing the gap in the death rate between white and black Americans.
This is promising news, but black Americans, on average, still live about four years less than white Americans, and younger black people are still dying from diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other illnesses earlier than their white counterparts.
I went vegan to take my health into my own hands after witnessing the diseases that plague the black community and my family. Almost half of all black women will get heart disease. This must change. I’m proud that I’m able to raise awareness about animal rights issues while being proactive about my health.
As Russell Simmons, the author of “The Happy Vegan: A Guide to Living a Long, Healthy, and Successful Life,” says, “[W]hen you’re committed to not only saving animals and the earth but also saving yourself, happiness is inevitable.”
If you’re concerned about your health – not to mention animals and the environment – try eating tasty vegan foods. Visit www.PETA.org for a free vegan starter kit, or check out Afro Vegan by renowned chef Bryant Terry.
Shekalia Johnson, Youth Campaigns Assistant, peta2, Norfolk, Virginia
Independent redistricting commission is needed
To the Editor:
I applaud today’s [Monday, May 22] Supreme Court decision that reaffirmed that using race as the predominant factor in redistricting is unconstitutional. This should serve as a wakeup call to the Republican-led General Assembly, whose voter suppression tactics have been struck down twice in federal court, in as many weeks.
As elected officials, we should be working together to make access to the ballot box easier and more fair. In Congress we must take swift action to restore the Voting Rights Act.
In North Carolina, it is time to appoint an independent redistricting commission to return our democracy to the will of the people.
U.S. Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), Charlotte
Note: Adams released the statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-3 decision to uphold the lower court’s ruling that said the Republican-led general assembly relied too heavily on race when drawing the N.C. congressional maps.
