DeSantis wrong: USA needs equity training; learn about media out to get Trump; | Letters

A united America needs diversity, equity and inclusion programs

Here’s what the University of Michigan says about its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs:

“Our dedication to academic excellence for the public good is inseparable from our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. It is central to our mission … to ensure each member of our community has full opportunity to thrive in our environment.

"We are committed to working actively to challenge and respond to bias, harassment and discrimination. We are also committed to pursuing deliberate efforts to ensure that our campus is a place where differences are welcomed and different perspectives are respectfully heard.”

There’s nothing objectionable about these commitments (unless you believe in the distorted fantasies of DeSantis World).

Manny Diaz, Florida’s commissioner of education, who seems to say exactly what Gov. Ron DeSantis wants him to say, made this absurd statement:

“DEI divides students,” the same right-wing mantra DeSantis and his supporters parrot incessantly about critical race theory. This is another deceptive aspect of right-wing politicking: Tell supporters so-called “liberal programs” are dividing America’s children. This is political irony because DeSantis is the real divider-in-chief.

America’s racially troubled past has become its culturally troubled present. We remain a nation of immigrants, and our diverse population is not going away. We must accommodate ourselves to that reality. Therefore, sensitizing students to the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion remains an imperative objective and an indispensable behavior to ensure we remain one united people. (One way to weaken a nation is to instigate a cultural war within.)

Now, do you really want to be that person — the one who hates others because they don’t look like you, pray like you, vote like you, think like you or love like you? I hope not because, otherwise, that suggests you’re a narrow-minded individual of which our state's already full.

Cray Little, Vero Beach

Focus on Constitution, not party talking points

The opinion pieces continue to reflect a clear divide on various issues. Whether it’s immigration, the Second Amendment, school library books, the lagoon or development, one thing stands out:

People, for the most part, are not open to discussion. Many peddle party line talking points, which are often devoid of facts. The partisan rhetoric only further divides, yet I’m thankful our founders knew the importance of free speech.

History reveals that our founding fathers were imperfect men working together to create our republic. The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights give us our doctrine. Though our founders wanted the same outcome, they didn’t agree on the same path to get there. What they did agree on was discussing, debating, reflecting and contemplating the value and merit of their decisions.

They didn’t ignore each other. They knew there was something greater to achieve. They knew “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” were the guiding principles.

It took years to finalize these documents and they are better than anything that came before. They knew the importance of balance of power or America would end up with the tyranny they fled. The Constitution gives us Article I ― Legislative powers, Article II ― Executive powers, and Article III ― Judicial powers. These articles provide specific authority, responsibility and autonomy to each branch.

We must remember government has limited power and authority. Our leaders are expected to represent the people. Individuals have the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, we have strayed far from applying the law equally to an agenda-driven subversion of the law.

I fear Benjamin Franklin’s response when leaving the 1787 Constitutional Convention: “We have a republic, if you can keep it” is slipping away.

Karen Hiltz, Sebastian

Help nation: Make media literacy a focus of education system

We must discuss an issue of utmost importance that affects our society profoundly: the division caused by the media's handling of facts.

In recent years, we have witnessed a growing division among people within our country, fueled in part by the conflicting narratives presented by various media outlets. Media organizations, driven by competition for viewership and advertising revenue, often prioritize sensationalism over objectivity. This has resulted in the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in the media as a whole.

When the media presents distorted or selective facts, it polarizes the public, exacerbating existing divisions and preventing meaningful dialogue. People are inclined to believe what aligns with their preconceived notions, and when confronted with opposing viewpoints, they dismiss them as "fake news." This fragmentation leads to an echo chamber effect, where individuals only consume information that reinforces their biases.

To address this issue, it is crucial for media outlets to prioritize factual accuracy and impartiality. Journalists should uphold the highest ethical standards, ensuring that they verify information before publishing it. Media organizations can play a significant role in bridging the divide by promoting balanced reporting, providing diverse perspectives and fostering respectful discussions.

Moreover, media literacy should be a key focus of our educational systems. By teaching critical thinking skills and promoting media literacy, we can empower individuals to discern between reliable and unreliable sources of information. It is essential to encourage citizens to seek out diverse viewpoints, question the information presented to them and engage in civil discourse.

Ultimately, by addressing the division caused by the media's handling of facts, we can move toward a more united and cohesive society. Let us work together to promote responsible journalism, foster media literacy and rebuild trust in the media, laying the foundation for a future where facts are the common ground on which we all stand.

Chrisi Thanos, Port St. Lucie

Do your own homework; media out to destroy DeSantis

Here we go again; now it starts. Let's destroy Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Folks, do you see it yet? China, or Russia, which one is our enemy? The biggest enemy we have is the media. They destroyed the best president we have had in years and now they are after Gov. DeSantis.

Don't let them win; we need a good, strong leader. If not Donald Trump, we need Ron DeSantis. Don't let the enemy win; research everything you read. There are many ways you can get the truth, but not the news channels. They are very biased against conservative action.

Do your homework and bring a leader into office. It's up to us, the public, to save and restore our nation to become strong and proud again. Vote with your brain, not the garbage that the media reports daily.

We can save this country. Pray to God He will save us.

Barbara Bischoff, Vero Beach

Jesus, Gandi, King offer lessons to us all

Did you ever wonder why Jesus didn't kill any of his enemies? I think that unlike so many of us, he wasn't afraid to die, and he wanted his enemies to have chances to repent and get saved, and have a chance at getting some of what he had.

He loved his enemies too much to kill them. I think he wanted to set an example for all of us, an example we need to look at in these times when there's so much killing going on.

I think he knew the power of unconditional love to work miracles in people's hearts. Creative nonviolence is not timid or powerless. Mahatma Gandhi and his people drove the British colonialists out of India with it. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led people in creative nonviolence that helped to overturn a lot of racism, although we still have a long way to go. None of these men supported the use of force to resolve human differences.

I had an enemy and prayed for him until the day I told him: "God bless you!" Apparently that touched his heart, and ever since then we've been friends.

So, let's really walk the path of loving kindness, and not just say things that sound cool, but that we don't make true with our actions, please.

Steve Gifford, Vero Beach

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: DeSantis wrong: USA needs equity work; media attacks Trump | Letters