Call out examples of racist undertones

Regarding Maureen Kern's May 13 letter reminiscing about the good old days - regular tomato plants vs. upside-down ones and talking to neighbors face to face rather than by cellphone.

Her last comparison, “and our president had a normal hairdo,” was a perfect example of subtle racism. It made me sick to my stomach. My first thought was that President Barack Obama does have a “normal” hairdo. My next was understanding the comparison had more to do with skin color than hairdo.

I remember a time when it would've been incomprehensible for a U.S. senator to shout out “liar” at the president during a State of the Union address. I don't remember any president during my lifetime that was hounded for two years into his office about his birth certificate. I could go on and on with these subtle forms of racism against our president.

It's time for people like me to call out those racist undertones. Obama is our president. He and his office deserve the same respect previous presidents have received.

I'm proud this man is our leader but not because of his skin color.

Beth McCune

Cedar Rapids