Jacqueline Smith wrote that employers should be particularly embarrassed by actions of employers of the past (April 9). Today’s employers learned from the history and mistakes of past employers, but they bear no more responsibility for past events than today’s employees. Further, stating employers “should be working toward changing those images” implies current employers are no improvement over those past.

That couldn’t be less true and does great disservice to employers who work long and hard to provide employees with decent jobs and benefits, despite the economy.

Smith’s letter gives credence to the possibility the mural doesn’t belong in the Department of Labor.

If the mural incites statements laying blame for the past at the feet of current employers and that today’s employers are no better, it promotes divisiveness between the groups the Maine Department of Labor serves. DOL’s Web page begins with “Committed to Serving Maine Workers and Businesses.” Prompting placement of blame for the past on current employers doesn’t further that objective, whether or not that is the mural’s intended purpose.

When history is used to fuel conflict between folks who had no part in the historical events, great disservice is done.

With today’s economy, residents of Maine would be better served to join together and get to work making the state a better place for employees and employers.

Isn’t that what we all want — to work and better benefit our families?

Placing blame and arguing about artwork won’t get us there; compromising and working together will.

Jennifer Buschmann, Lewiston