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Opinion | Don’t let cruelty have the last word over caring | Otis Sanford

ABC 24 political analyst and commentator Otis Sanford shared his point of view on vandalism at a Memphis memorial.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Greater Memphis is full of caring and giving people who make a positive difference in our community every day. But let’s face it. We also have our share of blockheads who think nothing of destroying other people’s property or committing other acts of mayhem.

One example of the idiocy occurred recently at a tastefully arranged memorial to pedestrians and cyclists who have been killed by motorists on Memphis streets. The display featured 68 silhouette figures on greenspace along Madison Avenue near Dudley Street in the city’s medical district.

But at some point over the last several days, one or more vandals came along and damaged all but one of the five foot tall cutouts. Each of the artful pieces includes only the first name of a person who was killed while walking or cycling in Memphis last year. The damage was discovered on Thanksgiving Day by the artist who created the memorial.

And you have to ask yourself – why? Why would anyone do something so callous? It was certainly not for monetary gain. And there can’t be any political or cultural motives involved.

So the only the answer is, whoever did this is just mean – and do not care about hurting others. Unfortunately, there are people in this community who fit that description. But here’s hoping the creator of the memorial will not allow cruelty to have the last word over caring.

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