Kasey L - Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Some people would support the pardoning of John Brown as a martyr for African-Americans because of his various efforts as an abolitionist.  But, there are still people who do not see him as a hero and instead view him as somewhat like a terrorist. 

The decision to pardon John Brown is not that simple.  Although it would be easy to simply pronounce him a national hero, both sides of the argument need to be first taken into account.

But, if the President, or even Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia, pardons John Brown, it could open many more eyes to the view that what he did was actually heroic and that efforts to stop slavery could not have been done without some violence during such a explosive time.  He only had the wellbeing of his people in mind.  Pardoning John Brown would be a step in the right direction.  

Kasey L