Published May 10. 2021 4:37PM By Why are Old Lyme's first selectman and a second member of the Board of Selectmen refusing even to discuss possible links between public health and systemic racism? Why has the International MOMS club decided it prefers to see dozens of local clubs disband, including those in Old Lyme-Old Saybrook and Portland-Middletown, rather than satisfactorily address its decision not to post a collage showing mothers pledging to end racial discrimination? While there's no doubt that open, candid discussion of racism and the role it's played throughout the history of the U.S. is an uncomfortable topic for many, simply ducking it is not an appropropriate response, will not make it go away and, indeed, is insulting and inflammatory to the many who are doing the right thing and refusing to remain silent about racial injustice.