Good luck to Milton McGriff and the rest of the Beardshear Eight on getting an apology, public or private, from this administration.

One of the mantras we hear again and again is how polite Midwesterners are, a politeness that seems to protect them from ever admitting a mistake or saying those magic, healing words, “I’m sorry. I apologize.” This much touted politeness and reluctance to confront an issue head on, face to face, you have your say then I’ll have mine, puts the rest of us at a great disadvantage in argument with them (i.e., you all). Those of us who recognize ourselves as flawed works in progress expect to have our complaints recognized and addressed as readily as we complain and address the complaints of others, but confronting those who seem constitutionally disabled from saying, “Oh, you’re right; I’m sorry,” we tend to read their non-responsiveness as arrogant disregard for our human dignity.

I guess this is what they call cultures in conflict. Perhaps a lesson in diversity would help.

Virginia Allen

Associate Professor of English