I feel this is the appropriate time to respond to Tom Nagle's letter to the editor published Aug. 22 titled " Like the Modern World? Thank a White Male. "
First, I would like to point out that Nagle expresses a concern about "being branded a bigot" but he does not deny the same.
Second, if one follows Nagle's suggestion to read Jeff Lipke's "Thank a White Male," it will be apparent that the provenance for Lipke's commentary (though well-articulated) is seated in bigotry and misogyny. Check out his myrmidons' comments following the story!
Third, Nagle contends that "Western culture alone has prevented the Malthusian Catastrophe." I believe he is conflating the production of an adequate food source with the provision of the food for the world's population and therein lies the ethical and humane nature of the discrepancy. I doubt the millions of people (mostly children) who die from starvation or disease as a result of malnutrition would agree with his contention.
Finally, I will not be thanking a white male this Thanksgiving, but I will be thankful that I am a white male because I realize I have had opportunities that might not have been available to minorities and women.
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Wells lives in Fargo.
