Letters: Many reasons to rebrand in Bellefonte; Leaders must step up to tackle climate change

Many reasons to rebrand in Bellefonte

Now that Pope Francis has apologized for cultural genocide I thought this might be a good time to remind Bellefonte why we should rebrand our district’s mascot.

Since 1947 The First Nations have asked for their imagery to be removed as sports mascots. Progress has been slow but the NCAA schools responded in a positive manner and respectfully retired imagery and replaced mascots in a manner that reflects local values and national brands of their schools. The Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians have rebranded. Nationally, school districts have rebranded offending imagery. Our land grant universities are publicly recognizing that unjust seizure of native lands.

From the European centric Doctrine of Discover, to the forced attendance at American Indian boarding schools and the assorted programs in between, the Native American community has suffered enough.

Native Americans have a simple request, stop using their imagery and likeness as icons and mascots. It’s really not too much to ask and be mindful that any imagery that depicts their identity is theirs and not ours to use.

The American Psychological Association supports the change because the continued use of Native American imagery as mascots harms all of our students. This is not about us, it’s about them, and our ability to empathize. We shouldn’t disregard the feelings of Native Americans over the use of their imagery because that is bullying and creates mental heath issues.

Rod Musser, Bellefonte

Leaders must step up to tackle climate change

This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a heavy blow to efforts to tackle climate change. Their ruling in the case of West Virginia vs. EPA restricts the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to limit carbon emissions from power plants, which account for about a quarter of the nation’s climate pollution.

Science says that to avoid the worst impacts of climate change — like extreme heat, intense flooding and rising sea levels — we should be doing everything we can to drastically cut carbon pollution and transition to 100% clean, renewable energy. But now, the agency we tasked with leading this transition has lost a critical tool to get the job done.

In the face of the Supreme Court’s anti-environmental ruling, it’s more important than ever that our elected leaders take steps to rein in climate pollution. Congress should amend the Clean Air Act to give the EPA full authority to tackle climate change and also pass bold investments in climate action and clean energy; federal officials should approve the pending proposal to reduce methane from oil and gas drilling; and legislators in Harrisburg should swiftly implement policies to transition Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy.

There’s no time to wait. We need our leaders to take action now so that we have clean air to breathe and a safe, livable planet to call home.

Olivia Perfetti, Pittsburgh. The author is an organizer with PennEnvironment.

More hypocrisy

Glenn Thompson doesn’t realize that his votes matter for every American ... except, apparently, for members of his own family.

Recently Thompson voted against a House bill that would codify federal protections for same-sex marriage. Then, three days later, he attended his own son’s same-sex wedding.

We should be happy that his son has found the love of his life and was able to marry him.

It is unconscionable that Thompson supports that freedom for his family, but denies that privilege to other Americans. Apparently, Thompson thinks his family is special and is more important than every other American family including, perhaps, yours.

A recent letter called Thompson a hypocrite and asked for his resignation. It can’t happen soon enough.

The 15th District deserves better. Pennsylvania deserves better. America deserves better. Thompson has been in Congress for 11 years yet obviously can’t comprehend the real-life implications of his own votes.

To save him and us any more embarrassment, it’s time for Thompson to resolve his hypocrisy by supporting and voting for LGBTQ+ legislation that will truly help his constituents, including his very own family.

Catherine Alloway, Port Matilda