Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 10.30.15
National test scores set off alarms for me
In response to “CMS heads the class, but skills still lacking” (Oct. 29):
If this article doesn’t scare the bejeezus out of all of us then the U.S. is in worse trouble than the scores reveal.
Only one third of our nation’s eighth-grade students are proficient in math and reading. One third!
China, Russia, Iran, ISIS, only have to be patient until we become a complete nation of illiterate buffoons with our collective heads buried in laptops, iPads, smart TVs and phones!
Maybe old teaching methods work better – teach phonics and old-school math!
One third… Yikes!
Patrick A. Walters, Charlotte
Focus on educating all, not on busing
In response to “What does it mean when we say busing?” and “School board candidate is at it again with busing” (Oct. 29):
Thanks so much to Ann Doss Helms and Peter St. Onge for calling out this community on our talk about “busing.”
I will always remember the comment of one African-American woman when we went through the school assignment battles 15 years ago: “It’s not the bus; it’s us.”
Unfortunately that still seems to be true, whether “us” is poor kids, black kids, Hispanic kids, or white kids.
UNC Charlotte researcher Amy Hawn Nelson’s data, obtained from CMS, shows that we’re busing as much or more now than we did at the height of court-ordered busing.
Let’s stop scaring people with “the other” and focus on educating all our children together.
Araminta Johnston, Charlotte
Peacock lacks empathy, fortitude
As a rich white man, Edwin Peacock’s greatest challenge in the mayoral race is proving his concern for all the citizens of Charlotte.
He shows a willingness to speak out against taxes for the wealthy, yet calls safe access to bathroom facilities for some of our most marginalized neighbors a “minor issue” and a distraction.
The South has a long and shameful history of the privileged and the powerful refusing to speak up to protect minority civil rights.
Peacock’s glaring lack of empathy and fortitude shows he does not deserve the Observer’s endorsement.
He will not earn my vote.
Lisa Zerkle, Charlotte
Turner listens, she will get things done
In response to “Democrat hopes to win GOP leaning district” (Oct. 28):
Let me get this right: Ed Driggs says development is straining our roads and infrastructure and “the city’s not doing anything about it,” even though he’s a council member. And he wants no tax increase.
We need someone like Chris Turner who is a doer, not a talker, and listens well to people’s concerns.
I’ve known Chris for 30 years – she is frugal, smart, and gets things done.
Diana Travis, Charlotte
Don’t make school incident about race
I have been a teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg high schools and have experienced firsthand a student’s refusal, repeatedly, to comply with a teacher’s and a security officer’s request to do something simple like sit down or stop swearing.
Sometimes students seem to be inviting physical confrontation when all other options have been exhausted.
As for whether this is a matter of race, which some insist it is, I have seen white students receive the same discipline, or more, than students of color for similar offenses.
Kathy M. Taylor, Charlotte
S.C. sheriff shouldn’t have fired deputy
In response to “Deputy fired after video” (Oct. 29):
As she moves through life, I guarantee this is not the last law enforcement officer this student is going to tangle with.
It is a travesty that a cowardly sheriff threw the school resource officer under the bus to quell public opinion.
David Preston, Charlotte
Lifelong learning a lot closer to home
In response to “Retirees hit the road to go back to school” (Oct. 27):
DavidsonLearns is beginning its fourth year of doing exactly the same thing as the lifelong learners program in Asheville.
Cork Oates and other lifelong learners would be welcome at any of the numerous and excellent courses – and they wouldn’t have to drive as far as Asheville or spend the night.
Cecil Clifton, Davidson
This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 10.30.15."