Letter: Racism remains a major issue in America

Writer criticizes op-ed claiming racism has been "nearly completely excised" from public discourse.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a letter to the editor, the author responds to a previous op-ed that claimed racism has been "nearly completely excised from public conversation". The author argues this is not the case, pointing to recent examples of racist rhetoric and policies from political leaders. The letter writer says there is no "intellectual cover" for the current state of racism in America and calls on the op-ed author to be less "disingenuous" about the issue.

Why it matters

This letter highlights the ongoing debate around the state of racism in America, with differing views on whether progress has been made or if racism remains a significant problem. It touches on the role of political rhetoric and policies in perpetuating racist attitudes.

The details

The letter is a response to a previous op-ed by Charles Todorich that claimed racism has been "nearly completely excised from public conversation". The author cites examples of recent racist rhetoric from the president and vice president to argue that racism is still very much alive in America. The letter writer says Todorich's views display a "telling lack of attention" to the racist actions of his own political party.

  • The letter was published on February 15, 2026.
  • The op-ed by Charles Todorich was published on February 8, 2026.

The players

Charles Todorich

The author of a previous op-ed that claimed racism has been "nearly completely excised from public conversation".

Genanne Walsh

The author of the letter responding to Todorich's op-ed.

Shelby Steele

An author whose book, published 20 years ago, offered conservatives intellectual cover in their aim to dismantle affirmative action, according to the letter.

Martin Luther King Jr.

The letter writer suggests the current conservative rhetoric sounds like what King said in 1963, implying a lack of progress on racial issues.

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What they’re saying

“[Racism] has been nearly completely excised from public conversation ... [Shelby] Steele writes that today's conservatives sound like Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963.”

— Charles Todorich (pressherald.com)

“It's as if the president had not, just last week, disseminated racist memes about the Obamas. What might Dr. King have had to say about that? Or in response to the vice president's vile assertion that Haitian immigrants eat pets?”

— Genanne Walsh (pressherald.com)

The takeaway

This letter highlights the ongoing debate around the state of racism in America, with differing views on whether progress has been made or if racism remains a significant problem that is being ignored or downplayed by some political figures and commentators.