Letters: School choice a good start toward change; SCOTUS ‘far right rampage’ has consequences

School choice a good start toward change

In response to Mr. Potter’s letter to the editor: Our education system needs to be overhauled. Parents and their children are forced to “no school choice” public schools systems. Not everyone is as fortunate having had the benefit of a Centre County education. Some Centre County public schools still do have trouble preparing our kids. Mr. Potter may change his tune if he were forced to send his kids to school systems in Baltimore, Portland, Richmond, Minneapolis, Philly, Fresno. The argument concerning private schooling not conforming to public school standards carries little weight and students in private schools consistently out perform their public school peers in all subject areas.

Why does poverty continue through generations? It’s their education. I support teachers and I get it, they work very, very, very hard — I do believe they’re well compensated. For our establishment clausers, school choice doesn’t mean faith based. Had I known our Governor supported money following students, I may have voted for him. I believe giving parents the option to choose where they send their kids would be a massive first step in improving their academic performance. Holding school boards, administrators and teachers more accountable would be another. With a better foundation the country begins to eliminate poverty. I’m not naive. Such change will not be easy, but it’s a start. Especially for inner city parents — what do their kids have to lose?

Mark Bauer, Coburn

SCOTUS ‘far right rampage’ has consequences

The black robes of U.S. Supreme Court justices increasingly remind us of the similar black robes worn by the dogmatic, dictatorial Ayatollahs in Iran. Never elected, the Supreme Court justices have recently overturned the rights of women to control their own bodies, overturned affirmative action by colleges, overturned Joe Biden’s effort to forgive college student debt, and overturned the ability of the State of Colorado to prohibit artistic merchants from discriminating against gay people.

While the court decisions have an immediate and adverse impact on many people, it is the long-term consequences of those decisions that will play out in the future and will have a far greater negative impact. It is turning America into a country not worth living in.

Already the news media is showing how the abortion ruling has led to physician flight from states that have prohibited abortion, has prompted increased illegal abortions in back alleys, and led to women dying because the court ruling has confused doctors on when and how to treat miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies and other pregnancy-related complications. Watch out for the horrific stories that will continually play out because of the court’s odious rulings on affirmative action, college student debt, and legally permitted discrimination. And the Supreme Court is not even finished with its extreme far right rampage. Wise voters will remember these rulings come election time and will mark their ballots for the party that can better exercise the will of the people than do these judicial extremists.

William J. Rothwell, State College

Racism in US has not been solved

Chief Justice John Roberts does not support racial equality. In 2013 he wrote the majority opinion to remove the Voting Rights Act (VRA, 1965) critical Section 4 controls on voting jurisdictions that had a history of discrimination in voting (Shelby County v. Holder re: VRA). Since then, the jurisdictions that had been found to discriminate under Section 4 of the VRA (and others) have freely enacted various, discriminatory restrictions on voting.

In the Shelby majority opinion, Roberts said that the controls on formerly discriminating districts were no longer necessary essentially because the problem of discrimination had been solved. He used the same, ludicrous, racist-affirming reasoning to prohibit affirmative action in college admissions for Harvard and North Carolina (“affirmative action” is no longer needed). Oh, and by the way, Roberts (Harvard grad) “forgot” to recuse himself in the case involving Harvard ... Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson (also a Harvard grad) did not forget to recuse herself.

Justice Roberts, the problem of racism in America has not been solved and the “stench” emanating from the Supreme Court is getting worse.

Mark Ralston, Centre Hall

Learn, listen during Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month and marks the anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Passed in 1990, the ADA aimed to break down barriers to inclusion of disabled people in society. Major barriers still exist. In addition, disability is often left out of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts. As a disabled person myself and an ambulatory wheelchair user, I know firsthand how inaccessible our town is. The Central PA Festival of the Arts, events on campus, buildings without ramps or buttons to open doors or wide enough aisles, and impossible to navigate sidewalks are just a start.

With one in four Americans living with some type of disability, Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate and normalize disability, disabled people, and the support systems we need to thrive. Disabled people deserve to be visible and heard. As an ally, learn about ways to make our world one with more accessibility, autonomy and accommodations. As allies, listen to us. See us. Treat us valuable members of society.

We are fortunate to have Mayor Ezra Nanes and his commitment to inclusivity. State College will have its first ever Disability Pride Month proclamation signing on July 10 at noon at the Borough Council meeting. It will be accessible both in person and via Zoom. In addition, Schlow Library will feature books by and about disabled people throughout the month of July.

Emily Steffnesmeier, State College