Letters to the Editor | July 31, 2025

I am among the many Phillies fans who are very happy that Dick Allen has finally been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a long overdue honor. I’m taken aback however that The Inquirer, in the article describing his induction, proceeds so delicately about Allen’s situation and the racism he confronted throughout his career. Acknowledging the goodwill of his Hall of Fame supporters, why isn’t more said in the piece about what Allen faced?

Why should it be controversial to state clearly and honestly that American racism was a factor (for some, probably the major one) in the reaction of many fans to Allen. In that context, is it so difficult to understand some of Allen’s behavior? The Phillies organization, of course, has much to answer for historically and they have taken some positive steps in the post-Allen (and post-Jackie Robinson) period accordingly. But to extend the imagery of the article, while a page has been turned, the book is still very, very thick.

Masaru Edmund Nakawatase, Philadelphia

Thank you very much, Philadelphia, for honoring Mr. Theodore DeReese Pendergrass Sr., (a.k.a. Teddy or TP) with a street naming ceremony at Broad and Pine Streets on Saturday. It’s been long overdue for this hometown legend. I was glad to witness the christening of Teddy Pendergrass Way. It was fabulous.

Bhoke Lumumba, Media

The Inquirer recently highlighted the delays in reaching an agreement on the state budget and its impact on SEPTA and Philadelphia schools. As more than 50,000 students rely on SEPTA for transportation, this setback is bound to have a profound impact. In brief, our students’ education and futures are at stake. Research shows that since the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of chronic school absenteeism have grown substantially, even after the return to in-person instruction.

Students who do not show up to school and fall increasingly behind. But how can we expect our students to show up, if they do not even have a means to get to school? Cuts to SEPTA take away access to the education our students not only need but deserve. As a pediatric resident, I aim to learn how to treat children and help them be healthy to grow and succeed. But I cannot administer a vaccine or provide a medicine that will cure structural inequities. We need to invest in our students’ futures by investing in their education, including providing transportation to get there.

Julianna Lee, Philadelphia

I’m glad that the United States and the European Union have reached an agreement on tariffs, but these tariffs are still going to strain low-income families in the U.S. For example, if there’s a $50 shirt made in Europe, and a $55 shirt made in the U.S., most people will buy the shirt made in Europe because it’s more affordable. But these new tariffs will make the European shirt $57.50. Buying a shirt made here means spending $5 more. Multiply this example by an entire family and it can really add up, meaning families can’t spend that money on food or their bills. A better way to support U.S. manufacturing would be to mass-produce more goods, and have a smaller percentage markup, meaning there’s more affordable, U.S.-made goods available for these lower-income families.

Trent Coonradt, Havertown

Using $30 billion of taxpayer money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hire masked thugs to round up, house, and airlift mostly innocent, hardworking and taxpaying immigrants must rank as one of the worst decisions of this administration. These men and women who work the farms, care for children and the elderly, and keep our economy healthy are instead being held in inhuman conditions to satisfy the power of sycophant GOP legislators who expect to hold their offices after the midterm elections while also passing the biggest financial windfall to billionaires in our nation’s history. Do not help them do this; vote for representatives who understand that these decisions are destroying our economy, our moral standing in the world, and our children’s futures.

Anna T. Meadows, Philadelphia

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 200 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.