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Farewell
Dear Larry: You are the sanest man in America! I look forward to your columns because I ALWAYS agree with your answers. Great work! Thanks for speaking the simple truth about all issues — racial, political, parental, common sense, etc.
I often …Read more.
Hate Groups
Dear Larry: I want to forget for a moment that it is their constitutional right, because I detest the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and all other groups that preach hate. A long time ago, they came into cities across America without any protest. Now …Read more.
Troubles With Raising Teenage Son
Dear Larry: I am African-American and a single mother with three children, ages 15, 10 and 8. All of them are boys. I am having a lot of problems with them, especially the eldest.
He argues with me about almost everything. He thinks he is the man/…Read more.
How To Get Race Relations Back on Track
Dear Larry: So many of my friends are upset with the way things are going, especially race relations. They are not saying anything openly, but among themselves there is constant complaining and fear. There is something simmering and brewing that …Read more.
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Ethnically Speaking, March 6Dear Larry: I just couldn't help but to respond to your letter about the abused husband who chose to stay in the marriage because of the children. I feel sorry and sympathize for the husband because I see myself just a few years ago. I, too, was a battered husband. My wife could be nice, but the littlest thing would set her off, and she would take it out on me. She would yell, scream and throw things. I was hit so many times that I lost count. I thought my staying would protect the children. A friend of mine talked me into calling the police the next time she went off. I do not recommend that course of action. My wife hit me on the head with a flower vase and caused a gash. It was so bad that blood flowed from the wound and down my face. As usual, I did not cause the outburst, nor did I ever touch her. Because I knew I was the victim, I called the police. When they arrived, I told them my story. The nightmare started when my wife told a complete lie about my abusing her. The children verified my story, but the police handcuffed me and took me to jail. My wife got a restraining order against me and locked me out of the house. She has the children, and I am forbidden to see them. Larry, this is so unfair, so wrong. I wish I never had called the police. I would have been better off enduring the abuse. I feel lost, lonely and depressed. — Al Dear Al: You are not the first husband — nor will you be the last — who has been falsely accused and mistreated. It is estimated that there are more than 800,000 battered men per year in America. Some of the stories are truly heart-rending. My cousin was an abused husband.
He, too, stayed in a sick marriage to protect the children. In the end, it was all for nothing because in one of her rages, she shot and killed him. She is in prison, and the children are now without their father and mother. I suggest that you contact a good attorney and plead your case. If you have witnesses, you have a good chance to prevail. I also suggest that you find a good violence support group. You need to regain your self-esteem. I want you to know I care about your situation. You are not alone in your struggle. Please write again and let me know how you are doing. Read on for a few more responses. From Frank: I was an abused husband, and I said nothing to anyone because I was afraid people would laugh at me. The more I tried to make my wife happy the more violent she became. I finally got the strength and left. I am now remarried and very happy. My happiness was really complete when my children told me their violent mother keeps saying she really messed up and wishes I would come back. Tell abused husbands there is a better life. From Been There: I lived with an abusive woman for five years. She hated my family. She didn't want to go to any family functions and even got into rages if I went without her. She never wanted to go anywhere and tried to keep me hidden away. After a lot of counseling, I found the strength to escape. I am not fully healed, though, because at times, I still feel the urge to return to that chaotic lifestyle. To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM
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