Spaulding's pit bull column generates lively discussion

Pam Spaulding's debut column in The Durham News, "Fighting pet prejudice," has generated lots of e-mail.

"Thank you for allowing us to hear the voice of Pam Spaulding in the "My View" column," writes Kerry Johnson. "It rings with wit and wisdom, clarity of reason combined with compassion."

"I'm a straight man, married, living in Durham County. I think it's wonderful that Pam Spaulding adds her voice to The Durham News," writes Peter Orton. "The more diversity and wide-ranging opinion in the N&O, the more informed I'll be as a participating citizen of our community.

Jason Turner has a different take. "Pam Spaulding's column, 'Fighting Pet Prejudice' both minimizes the suffering of pit bull attack victims and relies on an offensive, disingenuous metaphor to argue a dangerous and irresponsible point," he writes. "To compare the discrimination and suffering faced by hundreds of thousands of victims of racial discrimination at the hands of bigots and racists to the responsible caution of a watchful mother when faced with a pit bull, is an insult to all those victims of discrimination and hate over the last several centuries."

Spaulding responds: "I respect your right to disagree with my premise. As a person of color who has experienced the same sort of discrimination (based on appearance alone), I in no way equated the suffering due to slavery or institutionalized racism. I merely stated that the narrow point in question -- appearance-based discrimination was similar."

But that's just a sample of the conversation. To read Turner's and Spaulding's complete exchange and even more reaction, go to Pam's House Blend, Spaulding's pretty incredible blog.

Thanks to everyone who sent us a letter. Please keep them coming to editor@nando.com. And have a great weekend,

Mark Schultz

Editor