Letters: Olentangy schools stymied kids critical thinking skills during Dr. Suess reading

School lesson: don't think critically

Re "Reading stopped after kids ask questions" the Jan. 11: I find the decision to abort a discussion of "The Sneetches" by the Olentangy assistant director of communications very disturbing.

An 8-year-old child apparently recognized something the adults failed to do, namely, that economics and racial discrimination are inextricably linked.

Examples in history abound; the U.S. redlining of Blacks is an example that is not so far in our past.

This child was showing the budding critical thinking skills that need to be encouraged in our schools to provide our citizens with the ability to evaluate the veracity of the abundant information with which we are all presented.

The lack of these critical thinking skills is responsible for the success of the 'fake media' and the proliferation of misinformation that is threatening our democracy.

But rather than guiding the development of those skills by examining whether the conclusion linking discrimination and race was accurate, discussion was stopped. Learning didn't, however.

What the class learned was that thinking about and evaluating information results in a negative outcome. Very disturbing indeed.

Helene Roussi, Columbus

It takes two to tango

Re "Advocates say struggling single mothers need more help" Jan. 11: Kudos to this group for giving support to single mothers going it alone. I do suggest, however, that the group consider expanding their support in one critical area: legal services (pro bono, perhaps?).

Shank's story, "With neither the support of her family, nor the support of her baby's father,..." begs the question of Ohio's paternity laws.

It takes two to tango, and a young single mother, struggling to survive, probably has neither the energy nor the resources to resort to legal means to obtain much-needed financial support for her child.

More:Advocates: More help needed for struggling single moms in Columbus

The male party needs to be held accountable for his half of the situation, not only to provide for the child's well-being, but to impart the message that actions have consequences, and if he does it again, he will again be party to the outcome - a lesson lost in this and most such events.

John Platt, Arlington

More:How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch

Solutions to affordable housing crisis must come from all communities

Re "Affordable housing plans get big boost" Jan. 7: Addressing the need for more affordable housing in central Ohio is indeed a pressing issue for business executives and will impact businesses and the local economy moving forward.

More:Franklin County to give Affordable Housing Trust $2.2M more after boost in property sales

Executives who identify the issue as a priority need to take steps to address the issue in communities where they work and reside, in addition to the city of Columbus

All communities in central Ohio must contribute to necessary solutions; allowing for increased density, the development of multi-family and mixed income communities, the acceptance of housing vouchers with source of income requirements and participating in state and federal programs designed to create rental housing opportunities.

Supporting federal, state and local legislators who back these measures is a good place to start if executives want to address the issue.

Business tax incentives and other economic development tools become underutilized if employees are unable to secure affordable housing in the region.

Carl Faller, Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: