Regarding Denise Helms and the use of the "n-word" after the election: I hope we don't lose an opportunity to learn and reconcile after an emotional election.

The use of the n-word in a public forum is, despite her denials, a racist and bigoted thing to do. It has brought negative attention to our region, and lost Denise her job. As things stand, nothing will change, and hate and resentment will continue.

It's not too late for something good to come of this. I hope that representatives of the NAACP and Denise might sit down and talk about what happened, and perhaps come to some kind of rapprochement.

Right now, we need to bring our country together and solve our problems, and not fight racial battles that should have been settled decades ago — but clearly weren't.

GARRY HAYES

Waterford