Letters to the Editor | March 10, 2023

In his so-called “racist rant,” Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams answered an inflammatory Rasmussen poll with his hallmark rhetorical model that purposely provokes an initial emotional response, followed by earnest dialogue, expanded perspective, and finally, invigorated propulsion from backward thinking to imminent and sustained change. The poll asked Black Americans to respond to the question if it was “okay to be white.” Nearly 50% of respondents disagreed or were uncertain. The misconstrued paradigm Adams used in his monologue triggered an instantaneous reputation befoulment and career demise, which will require a Herculean effort from which to recover. The United States indecently tolerates widespread homelessness, poverty, and hunger on our native soil. We vigorously advocate for the removal of a human fetus from a woman’s womb — and yet there is conflagrating outrage over a satirically designed collection of words. Will we not allow a human being the opportunity to explain their motives before a posthaste sacrifice to the monetized ideologies that have mercilessly infected America?

Scott R. Hammond, Philadelphia

I am delighted to learn that failed gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano is contemplating another bid for high office, possibly an effort to become Pennsylvania’s next senator. I would look forward to Mastriano adopting the same “winning formula” that he used when he was humiliated in his high-profile race against Josh Shapiro last year: Do not speak to the media or anyone who might ask challenging questions, maintain and highlight your association and friendship with QAnon, boast about how you could try to overturn the results of legitimate elections, threaten a massive cut in funding for critical needs (as he did for public education in Pennsylvania), promote the elimination of any separation between church and state, and tell us with pride how he would force women and girls to give birth to children even if they have been the victims of rape or incest. While Mastriano prays about whether he should enter another race, many of us Pennsylvanians are praying that he does and that he again wins the nomination of the state’s extremists. Go, Doug, go!

Oren Spiegler, Peters Township

Kristen A. Graham’s recent articles on the Philadelphia School District’s new lottery process for special admissions schools reveal an important distinction between equality and equity. Unfortunately, it is a distinction that the district does not appear to understand. Equality says that everyone should be treated the same way, regardless of background, experience, or privilege. The lottery achieves equality by giving all students an equally poor chance of getting into a school that fits their talents and aptitudes. Equity, on the other hand, recognizes that students have different starting points and that adjustments are needed to level the playing field and achieve fair and just outcomes. As Leon McCrea was quoted as saying in an article about Masterman, “[T]here has to be a human touch to actually create equitable spaces.” A follow-up piece by Graham, on admissions changes causing unintended consequences, underscores how in many schools that human touch has disappeared, and equitable spaces have been squeezed out.

Jacob Fisher, Philadelphia

Why not spend money on rehab centers rather than jails? When substance abuse is treated as a disease, then hopefully there will be less addiction. The war against drugs started with President Richard Nixon. How long do we have until we finally figure out that it’s time for a new approach? If we want change then someone has to get out on the street and show someone cares. Drugs replaced companies closing down and moving overseas. Didn’t anyone get the message when shipments or products were delayed or not made? Where are all those high-paying jobs? Surely not in any big city. Come on, this is a national threat to our country without an invading enemy. Between drugs and electronics, I don’t know what’s more addictive. A $30 trillion debt shows no one cares.

Roger Robbins, Philadelphia

There have been numerous articles by columnists, contributors, and editors about the threat to democracy posed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. A common definition of democracy is a way of governing that depends on the will of the people. Based on this definition, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are doing what they were elected to do. Both chambers of the Florida legislature have been elected with super majorities; DeSantis was reelected in a landslide. This demonstrates that the legislation, policies, and positions advocated by these elected officials reflect the will of the people. Similarly, these same columnists, contributors, and editors decry the actions of the Central Bucks Board of Education. Once again, these individuals were elected by the voters of that district and accordingly, their actions reflect the will of the people. This does not mean that the will of the people can override constitutional rights. However, just because certain actions do not comport with one’s views on certain issues does not mean that the will of the people should be ignored. That would truly be a threat to democracy.

Taylor McCormick, Drexel Hill

I was flooded with many memories, both sweet and horrible, after reading Elizabeth Wellington’s review of Chris Rock’s Netflix special Selective Outrage at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre. Baltimore is my hometown, and I know the Hippodrome well. Throughout my childhood, there were periods when I lived with my grandmother, and each year before school started, as a special gift, she bought us tickets in the Hippodrome balcony “scholarship section.” In the Baltimore of my youth, where odious Jim Crow laws thrived, the Chris Rocks of that time would have taken their lives in their hands if they tried to walk into the Hippodrome, or even open its doors. In Wellington’s review, she criticized Rock for prioritizing the reactions of white people over his own pain, using his explanation for not striking Will Smith at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony to make her point: “And you know what my parents taught me: Don’t fight in front of white people.” Wellington’s point taken! However, as I experience his words, the magnificently brilliant Rock used this example, veiled in humor, to lay bare the universal terror all Black parents share about their children’s safety. And more — to demonstrate a conscience they planted deeply within him, as well as the hope and determination for something better than hate.

SaraKay Smullens, Philadelphia

In the ‘80s and ‘90s police departments began emphasizing proactive policing. The goal was to prevent crime before it occurred. Cities all over the country became more livable. Here in Philadelphia, I was the commanding officer of the 12th District. It had the highest crime rates in the city. After two years of proactive policing, those crime rates dropped considerably. More importantly, the people living there felt that their community was livable. They began taking the streets back from the criminals who had been controlling them. One of the central tools of proactive policing is the car stop. When there is a real possibility that a vehicle will be stopped, people are less likely to transport guns in cars. The photo that ran with The Inquirer editorial on the Strawberry Mansion shooting showed three gunmen jumping out of a car. They had no fear of being stopped by the police. Two of the most common criticisms of car stops are that they don’t work and that people of color are most often the ones being stopped. The proof for the first point is that only a few guns are recovered during stops. This actually shows how well stops are working, since people are reluctant to travel in cars with guns for fear of being stopped. On the second point, more people of color are being stopped because most of the victims of crimes are people of color.

Joseph J. Stine, retired, Philadelphia police inspector, Warrington

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