Dear Editor:
I served the United States government for five years in Africa: two years with the Peace Corps in Tanzania as a civil engineer, one year in Uganda and two years in Sierra Leone as a foreign service officer with the United States Information Agency. My first-born son was born in Kampala Uganda. My daughter was born in Sierra Leone. I speak Swahili, a beautiful lyrical language spoken by millions in East and Central Africa. Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge has been found to be the home and origins of the human race.
Far from being "s--holes" as characterized by our embarrassing excuse for a president of the United States, we found Africa to be a beautiful land and Africans to be wonderful, hospitable people who live decent hard-working lives, raising their families, making a living, living more peacefully than we Americans with our multiple international military commitments and doomsday instruments of war.
And although I hold the United States close to my heart and soul as the crucible, shelter, shield and motherland of my fortunate life, where my loved ones and memories rest and beckon us home, to this day I would proudly live in Africa and count as an honor to have known and lived with such delightful and talented people. We are fortunate in Central Missouri to have gained the presence and talents of many immigrant Africans who have become American citizens and serve the community with energy and patriotic spirit.
As my age and health lead me to my inevitable home in the bosom of America, I have been served by African-American citizens employing considerable skills as health care professionals at the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics keeping me healthy and alive a little longer. Outside the hospital I feel lucky to also count African immigrants and now American citizens to Central Missouri as dear friends.
No, Mr. President, Africa is not a "s--hole." That vulgar, ignorant description belongs to you.
I charge our congressional delegation with complicity in the president's racism and vulgar insults if they do not do something about his disgraceful presidency.