Every child can rise
out of poverty
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
Poverty may be a reason, a reality, but poverty must not be an excuse.
Your editorial, “Benign growth,” points out that poverty is an excuse for (some) teachers in Petersburg and Richmond schools who believe that it is “simply unfair to expect the schools to do much with” children who “come from impoverished backgrounds,” the fruit of a failing education system over the past 40 years. If a K-12 teacher expects failure, expects children to act out in class, that is what the teacher will get.
As a former teacher at a dual-enrollment Career and Technical Center for 11th- and 12th-graders, and as a current full-time university professor, I do not need a research report from 300,000 data points covering 11,000 schools to know what to do. You must be engaged with every student. You must care that they learn. You must let them know, starting the first day of class, that you are there for them to listen to their fears, the good and evil in their lives, the love or hate, the bullying or caring, the death or birth. Be there each day for them.
People are also reading…
My four data points are grandchildren, plus those with jobs at local stores. I see too many recent high school graduates who cannot make change, read, or write — or care. Too many of their teachers and administrators are letting too many students slip through the widening poverty cracks.
“Poverty is no excuse” should be a slogan in every teacher’s lounge. Our children should not be a disappointment to teachers before they even take a seat in the classroom. These children face so many uncertainties in living and careers today. Many women and men have risen out of poverty to lead us. Poverty-tainted students have the potential to become our next leaders, parents, and teachers.
Oliver Hedgepeth.
Chesterfield.
Letter of support
omitted some history
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
In laying out what he believes to be justification for Palestinian rage over America’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, Correspondent of the Day Walter Coppedge left out a bit of history and fast-forwarded past the British Mandate of 1923, which formalized the creation of two distinct British protectorates — Palestine, as a national home for the Jewish people under direct British rule, and Transjordan, an Arab emirate governed semi-autonomously from Britain under the rule of the Hashemite family. Although the mandate was accepted by Israel, it was rejected by the Arabs.
Later, in 1947, the United Nations petitioned for a two-state solution. The decision was accepted by the Jewish Agency but rejected by the Arab governments and by Palestinian Arab leaders. The six-months period until the termination of the British Mandate was marked by Arab violence against the Jewish community.
The Palestinians voluntarily chose to leave their homes for neighboring Arab countries, with a plan to return after the defeat of Israel’s army by these nations. Instead, the Arabs lost the war and the Palestinians continue to seek a homeland and capital city while playing the victim. The Palestinian Arabs who chose to remain in Israel became successful and productive citizens of the State of Israel.
Harold T. Lipscomb.
Richmond.
Stewart nominated?
Time for Plan B
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
Should Virginia Republicans be so obtuse as to nominate Corey Stewart as their candidate for the U.S. Senate next year, I shall, and others should, follow the example set by Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby.
George H. Lewis.
Amherst.
Banning leaf blowers
would just be the start
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
A recent letter to the editor advocated for legislation banning gas-powered leaf blowers, claiming they are noisy, pollute the air, and cause asthma and cancer.
Gosh, we’d better also outlaw chain saws, weed eaters, lawnmowers, outboard motors, and motorcycles. Then we would have a teeny bit cleaner air, less noise, and a lot less freedom.
Ted Morrison.
Richmond.
Senators need to
reverse FCC vote
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
I hope Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine hear what I have to say. Their help right now is crucial to Virginia and the rest of our country.
Given that the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 in favor of repealing net neutrality on Dec. 14, I’d like to know if our senators plan to co-sponsor Sen. Edward Markey’s resolution under the Congressional Review Act in an effort to stop the repeal. While this is a long shot, their involvement could help send a message and perhaps encourage other members of Congress to join — maybe even some Republicans.
Markey says with this resolution, “Congress can correct the Commission’s misguided and partisan decision and keep the internet in the hands of the people, not big corporations.” FCC commissioner Ajit Pai is misguided and naive to think big business will have the American public’s best interest in mind while it looks at its latest return-on-investment spreadsheets and year-end projections.
Moreover, his misdirection toward the Federal Trade Commission being the police officer for the consumer in this case is somewhat laughable, considering that the Trump administration has failed to fill any of the vacant seats at the FTC; currently there’s a Democrat and a Republican at the helm there, and because the Republican is in the senior position, any stalemates between the two will almost always end in favor of the Republican.
I hope our senators will co-sponsor this resolution and continue to fight for their constituents. I really appreciate what they have done for us in Virginia.
Gregg Damanti.
Norfolk.
Latino parents should
learn our language
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
Latino parents are calling on Richmond schools to add language resources. According to your recent news story, “Parents are tired of going to school and waiting to find someone who speaks their language.”
Guess what — they’re in the U.S. and it’s up to them as parents to learn the language and teach their kids. Believe it or not, parents do have responsibility for their children — not the school or local, state, or federal government.
Tony Trexler.
Hopewell.
Dems can send extra
money to IRS
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
The tax bill is good for Americans. If Democrats are totally opposed to the bill, they can send the extra money they will see in their paychecks to the government. If they truly believe the bill is wrong, they should stand by their principles and do so.
Rusty Rabb.
Henrico.