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Tuesday's letters: Censoring curriculum, election loss, vaccine fear, more

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·4 min read
Melissa Bakondy quotes from "The Hate U Give," a book inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, at a Sarasota County School Board meeting in July. Concerned residents argued for and against teaching critical race theory and wearing masks in school.
Melissa Bakondy quotes from "The Hate U Give," a book inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, at a Sarasota County School Board meeting in July. Concerned residents argued for and against teaching critical race theory and wearing masks in school.

School district joins in attack on truth

It was with alarm that I read that the Sarasota County School District has removed a passage from a book for fifth-graders because, in the opinion of school officials, it does not comply with the state Board of Education’s mandate against critical race theory (“BLM passage removed from Sarasota curriculum,” Oct. 20).

This process of removing truth from history is painfully reminiscent of repressive governments throughout history: Consider Nazi Germany, Maoism in China, North Korea and Russia as potent examples.

The very use of the term critical race theory in this context is unwarranted. The CRT movement is a collection of activists and scholars interested in studying and transforming the relationship among race, racism and power. They placed racial studies in “a broader perspective that includes economics, history, context and group.” (Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic, “Critical Race Theory”).

More: How to send a letter to the editor

Politicians today are using the terminology to describe the long and painful history of systemic racism they are trying to obliterate for their self-serving interest.

Parents, students, educators, residents: Listen carefully and let your voice be heard before this repression of free speech and the truth of the historical narrative become another pandemic as an assault on American democracy.

Hope Black, University Park

Democrats out of control, again

Headlines after Tuesday’s elections read “Democrats misjudge country’s mood.” Really!

I am a Democrat and this seems to be a perennial problem with the Democratic Party, which blew it in 2016 by misjudging the electorate, and here we go again in 2021.

They can’t control their own party. Yes, I am talking about you, Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. Are you happy now?

Democrats refuse to use the power they have to protect voting rights.

As I said, I am a Democrat, but these guys have to get it together! Start listening to the letters and emails sent to Congress and the White House.

Kristi Kanellos, Sarasota

Governor’s overwhelming ambition

Gov. Ron DeSantis is undersized. His political ambitions greatly exceed the size of his commitment to American democratic values.

Local and state Republican leaders have succumbed to his undemocratic Trump tactics. DeSantis has overwhelmed officials with actions that thwart local control, voting rights, academic freedom by college professors, truthful teaching of the history of slavery and racism, and COVID safety measures.

Knowing all, how could anyone vote for such a demagogue or his sycophants?

Paul Dain, Bradenton

Lack of response from Buchanan’s office

Please explain why our local congressman’s office can’t answer even the simplest questions. At no time during the last 10 years has anyone in Rep. Vern Buchanan's office answered one of my inquiries.

Recently, I asked what Buchanan’s position was on President Joe Biden’s election? I spoke with two different people, but could not get an answer. Unfortunately, this is the norm.

I have called many times in the past to ask how he voted on a bill. Same response, no one could tell me.

I mistakenly thought he was supposed to serve his constituents.

Bill Coughlin, Sarasota

Put aside fears and get COVID vaccination

There are many reasons people invoke against the COVID-19 vaccinations – most of them false and dangerous.

There is an unspoken reason for some: Fear of the needle.

I was one of them. I had many unreasonable excuses not to get a flu shot. Even though I was at a vulnerable age.

Then, six years ago, on a frigid January morning, at a neighborhood pharmacy, I removed layers of long-sleeved clothing and stuck out my arm. I now look forward to my annual shot. I don’t like it, but I do it.

I waited anxiously for my COVID vaccine, stumbling through the cyber barriers of the early rollout system until I finally got my first shot. I felt like a huge weight was lifted. The second shot appointment was less complicated.

I celebrated my birthday two weeks later by going to a restaurant for the first time in more than a year. I recently got my booster, but I still wear a mask in public places.

Be honest with yourself. The data proves that the COVID vaccine can save your life, and your family and community. So, cowboy up and get ’er done.

Edward White, North Port

Vaccine mandates make country safer

In response to your recent reader question about vaccine mandates: Yes, vaccination and/or COVID-19 testing should be mandatory.

This is about safety, not control.

Eloise Hanner, Sarasota

Live ballet and Seidman are welcome

As we welcomed the return to live performances by our wonderful Sarasota Ballet, it was also nice to see the return of Carrie Seidman and her thoughtful review of the evening.

Ed Town, Sarasota

SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Letters must have the writer’s name, full address and daytime phone number and should be no longer than 200 words. (Only name and city will be published.) We may condense letters and edit them for accuracy. Writers may have no more than one published letter every 30 days. We are unable to publish every letter we receive. We no longer accept letters by postal mail. Email letters to: editor.letters@heraldtribune.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Repressing free speech, Democrats can't control their party