John Lewis was the shining example we should aspire to
Who betrayed whom in context?
Richard Greene outdid himself in his last column. (July 19, 5B, “Vicksburg trip shows statues’ power to teach American history”) He stated that the Confederate statues are of traitors, as are those of our Founding Fathers. The Confederates were traitors to the United States. The Founding Fathers were traitors to King George of England. Enough said.
- Gerald Casenave, Arlington
Students are people first
I would love to be back with my students in the classroom. However, it is not safe because of the daily spikes in COVID-19 cases.
Teaching is my passion and my calling, not just a job. I am a special education teacher of 20 years, and my work includes facilitating social emotional groups and crisis intervention. There’s no greater joy than helping my students beat the odds and succeed.
Yes, schools are important. But people are our most valuable asset. If we open school buildings now, we are sure to lose people to the virus spread. If that happens, we lose effective education. People make up the school.
- Noemi Ogle, Arlington
Lewis is the example
The celebrations of Rep. John Lewis’ life that will matter will be actions, picking up the baton he carried and advancing closer to the goals of racial equality, justice for all and loving each other.
We pay the price for dropping that baton with openly racist leadership and state terrorism against Black communities. We must trade our cynicism for genuine human understanding. Without that, we are lost before we start.
Lewis’ story embodies that kind of understanding. Celebrating it asks us to take up his cause as our own.
We have a lot of work to do, but if he could do what he did, we have no excuses.
- Chris Bellomy, Fort Worth
These trees are a treasure
The remainder of Cross Timbers forest in east Fort Worth is as much a part of the history of Fort Worth and Texas as the Stockyards. This historical treasure is being destroyed at an alarming rate by developers who want density above all else.
East Fort Worth residents are the last defense between total elimination and salvation of this precious resource. They show up over and over at zoning and planning meetings to protest. Those of us who care salute them and pray for their success.
These trees are more than 100 years old in many instances. There are no replacements.
- Wanda Conlin, Fort Worth
Suspicious timing of surge
Doesn’t President Donald Trump’s current “surge” of federal law enforcement officers in American cities tie into his wish to be seen as a law-and-order president? So, wouldn’t it be appropriate to charge his campaign with the cost of paying for such a surge?
- Anne M. Sanders, Fort Worth
Federal agents are no Vaders
I had accepted that the Star-Telegram was liberal, but Friday’s editorial cartoon is contemptible. (13A) To portray federal law enforcement officers as Darth Vader with a huge club “invading” a state is beyond repugnant. Only the progressive mayors of a few cities have accused federal officers of arresting rioters and hauling them off in unmarked vehicles.
- David White, Fort Worth