To the Men of Men of Change:

Bravo, gentlemen. Not only have you provoked a new-yet-long-overdue conversation about the realities of equality here in the Upper Ohio Valley, but you have spoken the truth about your life experiences in this area to prove your words. You have offered everyone honesty, and you have opened eyes and, more importantly, minds.

Of course, some folks in the Wheeling area have ignored your efforts, and that makes them part of the problem you are trying to educate them about. That makes your job difficult, we know, and if there were a solution we could offer, we would. Unfortunately, as the sad saying goes, “Haters goin’ to hate.”

But what they don’t understand is that you members of the Men of Change have handled similar reactions your entire lives because of the color of your skin. Some people refuse the truth about white privilege because they have worked hard their entire lives and earned everything they have in life. In those cases, those hard-working Americans likely do not understand why they were given the opportunity in the first place.

You all speak from your hearts. You are making a difference. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Fans of The Change