Letters to the editor endorse a school board candidate, object to ageist language
Parents in support of Hilary Seidel
I am the mother of elementary and middle school students in the Olympia School District. I’ve experienced first hand the value of our investments in social and emotional learning and classes for art, music, and PE after the pandemic. Prioritizing joy and building community through the arts, activities, and sports is helping Olympia students recover academically.
That’s why I’m voting to re-elect Hilary Seidel to our school board.
Hilary recognizes that our students must come first. To support our students, we must follow the data and listen to our youth leaders. I’ve also been impressed by Hilary’s deep commitment to engaging the broader community in decision making through advisory committees. We need to continue making the investments championed by Hilary to ensure all students can succeed.
Hilary is the only candidate in her race with the proven experience to lead us through the challenges of continuing a strong recovery for our students.
Terry Vanderpham, Olympia
Does prejudice justify prejudice?
Whenever people become threatened, they search for means of protection or escape. We find solace in finding a group of people who share the same insecurities and fears that we have ourselves.
Throughout history the oppressed have searched for hope through understanding and tolerance. Segregation has been forced and at times chosen for safety, resentment or even retaliation. And while ignorance, fear and hostility are the fuel for hatred and bigotry, understanding, compassion and respect act as a healing ointment. But then slowly the injustice of prejudice begins to eat away at the oppressed. And in so many cases the prejudice is returned in a similar manner.
When acts of brutality and bias are committed, it is understandable that victims would take similar action if the opportunity presented itself. But then the retaliation gives cannon fodder to the original prejudice.
As people, we need to isolate and weed out acts of discrimination and unsubstantiated biases. But if those acts justify similar counteracts, can we really criticize the initial culprit?
We should not be prejudice against a nationality or race because of the actions of a few. Likewise, we should not disdain the police because a few have over-stepped their authority. We should avoid stereotypical thinking of the disadvantaged, because some have misused the system. Or hate the rich because a few are pseudo-arrogant.
It would have been understandable for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to return prejudice with prejudice. But he didn’t. He responded with understanding, respect and even love.
James MacDicken, Olympia
Ageism rears its head
A July 11 headline regarding the meeting between President Biden and King Charles had a headline that read, “Aging leaders Biden, King Charles zero in on climate change.”
Your editorial choice to describe these world leaders as aging was and is offensive and smacks of ageism. I don’t see headlines that read “Aging leader Trump” or “Indicted Trump” or “Obese Trump.” Your bias and intent to demean the President is clear.
Let’s get back to reporting the salient facts and promote an alternative agenda.
Fred Yancey, Olympia