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Let’s leave historycurriculum to educators
Re: “California should standardize, mandate Holocaust education” (Page A6, March 13).
In her March 13 op-ed, Aya Shechter argues for a statewide mandate for comprehensive, multifaceted instruction on the Holocaust.
This was undoubtedly a horrific episode in world history, but there have been other horrifying episodes of mass annihilation in the present time and over the centuries that also deserve a place in the history curriculum. These and other subjects compete for limited class time.
I much prefer to let teachers and other education professionals decide the content and depth of the subjects covered by the middle and high school history curriculum and how the subjects are taught.
Kennedy RichardsonPiedmont
Reform Prop. 13to fund our schools
Re: “Cities and schools facing big deficits and few good options” (Page A8, March 16).
As a student in California, I have seen firsthand how budget shortfalls impact education. Rising tuition, limited resources and underfunded public schools create barriers that make quality education seem like a privilege. As cities and school districts face growing deficits, the cycle of underinvestment continues.
Rather than relying on expense reductions by imposing crippling cuts or one-time fixes, we need long-term solutions. We can start by reforming Proposition 13’s commercial tax loopholes that allow corporations to rob our schools and communities of valuable money each year. Closing this gap could generate billions of dollars, ensuring schools remain funded without constant worry. If large corporations paid property taxes based on their actual value, California students like me wouldn’t have to worry about whether our schools can afford basic resources.
If we want a future where students thrive instead of struggle, we must prioritize long-term tax reform over temporary fixes.
Morsal AzimiBerkeley
Patriots must pledgeto oppose Trump
Re: “Trump administration deports hundreds despite bar” (Page A4, March 17).
I pledge to oppose the tyranny of Donald Trump and his minions in honor of my ancestors and their fellow New England patriots who fought the American Revolution. They were unwavering in the cause of independence through military service, economic resistance and civic action. In their village north of Boston, they opposed the Stamp Act in 1765, and when war erupted in April 1775, their town immediately sent local minutemen into battle and pledged their lives and money to the cause of securing American independence from Britain.
Today, their town has a memorial to the “colonists whose sacrifice during the Revolutionary War for American Independence gave us a free nation. May such patriotism ever be with us.” In their honor, such patriotism lies within me. I stand proud in the fight against the Republicans who are cut from the same tyrannical cloth as King George III.
Thomas DebleyWalnut Creek
Barbara Lee is bestcandidate for Oakland
Barbara Lee is the only candidate for mayor who can bring Oakland together with a common agenda to rebuild our city
As a former mayor of Oakland, I know only too well the complex challenges a mayor faces. It is without question that former Congresswoman Lee has all the background and experience necessary to assume leadership of Oakland and turn our city around.
For many years, she worked closely with local government to bring millions of dollars of federal support to programs that serve the residents of Oakland.
I am proud to have worked with her over the years and enthusiastically endorse her for mayor. There is no other choice.
Elihu HarrisOakland
Writer cares aboutpoor when convenient
Re: “Shutdowns most hurt low-income kids” (Page A6, March 19).
This letter writer bemoans, in his righteous hindsight, the harm that emergent COVID-19 decisions did to poor families and children. These public health actions were made during a raging pandemic that eventually killed more than 1 million Americans.
The letter writer is correct that the lowest-income families and children continue to suffer from the pandemic and public health decisions. He must, however, own his usual support of the right-wing autocrats currently in power. They are permanently attempting to destroy all the governmental programs that provide education, health care, food support and housing to the same families he pretends to care about. The word “draconian” truly applies to this chainsaw madness that will hurt these families for generations to come.
Scott LoeligerBenicia