Letters to the Editor Thanks From Linden Camilla To the Editor: Thank you so much for the cover story in your April 22nd issue concerning the problems that have plagued the residents of Linden Camilla Towers, the federally funded apartment complex for the handicapped and elderly. It is sad that we had to call the media in order to get any attention. I applaud you for having the nerve to take a stand against Tesco Management Company when no one else would. It was a major step toward getting started cleaning up the place. However, a lot remains to be done. Your story got a lot of people's attention and we feel that we are not completely the forgotten generation. Please keep up the good work. God bless you. Bertha Brasfield President, Resident Association Linden Camilla Towers The Role of the Church To the Editor: As the director of one of the "Christian Life Centers" Mr. Haney described in his June 10th "Devil's Advocate," I would like to point out that there are some churches in inner-city Memphis that have built and dedicated these facilities as tools of outreach and ministry to the community. The Christian Life Center at St. Luke's United Methodist Church was built almost five years ago and from day one all programs and activities which take place within its walls are open to the community, not just members of St. Luke's. In fact, there are no programs at St. Luke's that are exclusive to "members only." Yes, we offer basketball, racquetball, parlor games, and chair aerobics as a part of our ministry, but we see these programs as essential. It is through these recreational activities that we reach out to people and spread the Gospel. Mr. Haney was right to point out that "church involvement is the single most important factor in enabling African-American males to escape the destructive cycle of the inner-city ghetto." I would take that a step further to say that church involvement should be the most important factor in a young person's life in helping them order their lives. Sadly, Mr. Haney was also right that some churches do build their recreational facilities for their use by members only, or they charge you to "buy a membership." But the point of my response is to acknowledge that Christian life centers can be wonderful tools for outreach in the inner city. You might not be able to get a kid off the street to walk into the sanctuary on a Sunday morning to get the message of Jesus Christ from a sermon, but I guarantee that same kid will gladly run into a gymnasium that offers him or her a chance to be a part of a caring environment which will help build them up. The message of the Gospel can then be spread and before the kid even realizes it they are a part of the Kingdom of God. David O. Weatherly Director of the Christian Life Center St. Luke's United Methodist Church To the Editor: So who do we hold accountable? The schizophrenic or the lowly sot on the street? The facility that had to shut down because of the lack of funds and turn these "less fortunate" out? The lack of funds from the private sector or the government to support these facilities? The churches that build huge facilities of their own for the recreation of their members when a tenth of that money could help a lot of people? The liberals who want the government to provide welfare for these unfortunates? As I understand it, Jesus loves you just as much whether you are that drunken, crazy, no-account non-believer bum or the member of some fancy-schmancy church. I think He paid special attention to the outcasts, and didn't much worry about their "accountability." Isn't this the point of biblical teachings, to teach us to be more Christlike? I can't stand it when these "Christians" gloat and feel so smug, and blame those who are too mentally ill (or whatever) for their inability to think like they do, and their inability to come under "the lordship of Jesus Christ." How far away from this is "you'll rot in hell if you don't see it my way?" Alisa Botto e-mail (Memphis) Flip-Flops in Hawaii To the Editor: In Hawaii, at least on the Big Island, "flip-flops" ("Flippin' Them Off," June 17th issue) are pervasive among denizens of all ages and are used in just about all situations one might observe on the street. I've seen people in these things doing various kinds of work that in my mind wouldn't or shouldn't be attempted in such minimal footwear. Whether strolling down the sidewalk or gingerly clambering across the roughest of lava formations, they're A-OK. I have a friend who is an excellent tile cutter and setter and he wears them to work every day. All the "locals" wear them, and in fact the brand most commonly worn is called "Locals." Their nature fits in well with another custom, perhaps adopted from Japanese culture, of removing one's shoes at the front door. The front stoops, porches, lanais, etc. at most houses are typically littered with these things in various states of wear, indicating lots of use. They seem rarely to be spoken of, just assumed, like underwear. From high rollers to street people, heck, everybody wears them! I think they may be issued to immigrants upon receiving a driver's license, voter registration card, or a "Super-sized" Poi-burger at McDonalds. My experience is that at least in this place, they are called slippers, and pronouncement of the term "flip-flops" is met with puzzled looks. M. Carter e-mail (Memphis) The Memphis Flyer encourages reader response. Send mail to: Letters to the Editor, POB 687, Memphis, TN 38101. Or call Back Talk at 575-9405. Or send us e-mail at letters@memphisflyer.com. All responses must include name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters should be no longer than 250 words. Editor’s Note Staff writer Mark Jordan has asked me to inform our readers that he is not the friend of Phil Campbell's who appeared in the summer feature "Pantless Karaoke." It was another Memphian named Mark. Honest. So stop badgering Jordan. He's got enough problems with all those Big Star fans who are upset about his review of Nobody Can Dance. Political writer Jackson Baker is taking a rare week off. He's resting up for what promises to be one of the most eventful elections in Memphis history. His column will return next week.