Heritage is often defined as property that is inherited including valued objects and cultural traditions. I have heard many people talk about honoring their heritage when speaking of keeping Confederate symbols.

If you shake my family tree, you will find several slave owners and Confederate soldiers. I am grateful that they lived so that I can exist, and I recognize that they contributed to a foundation upon which my family was built. I know that my ancestors were flawed human beings doing their best to survive and provide for the next generation.

But each generation does their best so the next generation can do better. I do not have to live life as they did. I do not have embrace my ancestors’ values and ethics. While I honor their efforts, I do not excuse their actions. I am horrified by slavery and human trafficking. The very idea of it makes my skin crawl. However, I cannot change how my ancestors lived or the damage that they did. All I can do is live the life they gave me the best way I know how. And for me, that means valuing all human life. Speaking up for freedom, justice, and equality for ALL.

This does not mean that I am turning my back on my heritage. I do not have to glorify my ancestors’ actions to honor them. I am doing what every generation has done. Learning from the mistakes of the past in an effort to do better.

Now that we are becoming more conscious of the effects of systemic racism and inequality, I hope that people will re-examine their heritage. Did your ancestors’ really only leave you with symbols of atrocities they committed or was their true legacy defined by their effort to do better for their families?

Stacey Allen

I recently saw an interview online with Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith just after he walked with Tyler demonstrators protesting police violence after the death of George Floyd. He was asked by the Tyler Paper’s Cory McCoy if he planned to implement Implicit Bias training in light of recent events. Sheriff Smith seemed completely baffled by why he was getting asked the question. He stated that it was not necessary because there have been no complaints against his department.

This shows how out of touch Sheriff Smith really is. He was walking in solidarity with demonstrators without any understanding of what they are protesting for. These protests are not just about George Floyd. They are about the culture of systemic racism and a lack of accountability that allow for George Floyd to be killed in broad daylight by police. They are about all those that came before George Floyd, all those that have come since, all those whose names never made the headlines.

This is all about systemic injustice and police misconduct EVERYWHERE – including Smith County. People do not always file formal complaints about officers. Police departments are often biased in favor of their officers and citizens fear retaliation. So, they stay silent. Even in the face of mistreatment, they stay silent, because complaining could make things worse.

Sheriff Smith should know this. He should hold his officers to a higher standard. Even the best officers can use new information and reminders about best practices and expected conduct.

Sheriff Smith and Tyler Police Chief Toler should both be implementing training to improve their department’s services to the community. There is plenty of room for improvement in both departments.

Stacey Allen