Letters to the Editor | Jan. 5, 2023

At the Race for Peace Committee, we believe solutions to address this unacceptable violence in our community start with bringing a range of constituencies together. Our nonprofit organization was formed in 2016 to enrich the lives of residents in all communities through programs, resources, and activities for families. We strive to establish understanding between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The main goals are ongoing and continuous dialogue between communities and the police, mentoring youth, and promoting excellence in police officer training. An example of our work will be organizing events in which young people, seniors, and other community members can have positive interactions with police officers working in our city. We seek to help close the divide between the police and some in our neighborhoods. The committee will work to deliver on reachable goals and solutions that support peace. Visit our website, raceforpeace.org, for more information.

Alim Howell, Upper Darby, alimleemhowell@gmail.com

The nation is consumed with concern for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, the NFL player who tragically suffered a life-threatening cardiac emergency during a nationally televised game. The media has been covering his ordeal 24/7. Seeing the life of this young African American man hanging in the balance is indeed upsetting. But I am struck by the lack of similar concern for the hundreds of other young African American men gunned down in the prime of their lives every year in Philadelphia and across the country. Many of them are no more responsible for their fates than Hamlin is, but they are not professional athletes or persons of prominence. Perhaps if we cared about them as much as we do for Hamlin, something might be done about the obscene amount of guns our country tolerates and the tragic carnage they cause.

Ben Zuckerman, Philadelphia

SEPTA calls its proposed changes in service “Bus Revolution,” and it will certainly produce a major revolt when riders discover Route 42 in West Philly is proposed for elimination. From 34th and Spruce Streets, the route transports hundreds of patients, visitors, and employees to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Children’s Seashore House, south and west on Civic Center Boulevard and north on 38th Street back to Spruce Street. Without the 42, these riders will have to walk either to the trolley at 40th Street or Route 21 on Walnut Street to travel westbound. When asked for justification, SEPTA says it is eliminating all bus routes that are not a straight line in order to speed up service. I guess a straight line takes precedence over common sense and the interests of major institutions in our city’s celebrated health-care mecca.

Debra Weiner, Quakertown

I’m starting to have a feeling I haven’t had since September of 1964. If you’re of a certain age, you’ll know what I mean. Late in the baseball season that year, the Phillies, who had led the National League all season for the first time since 1950, suddenly lost 10 games in a row in dramatic fashion and lost the pennant. It traumatized a whole generation of Philadelphia sports fans. I was 12 at the time. Anyone who lived through that is recognizing and fearing the same dynamic will play out for the Eagles this year. I’m 70 now, and it’s still not fun.

David R. Fair, Philadelphia, drfair@comcast.net

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