Letters to the Editor | Dec. 19, 2022

I can attest to the value of training young people with tools to understand emotions, de-escalate stress, and care about themselves and others, as Will Little advocates (Dec. 13). Inner Strength Education runs a mindfulness and critical thinking program in Philadelphia high schools, reaching 20,000 teens since 2014. Students learn how negative self-talk can affect their happiness, ability to learn, and view of the world. They learn how their experiences are shaped by so many factors (including 300 million years of brain development) and how this plays out in life. They learn what builds positive friendships and to believe in their higher learning potential. We staff spaces like The Chill Spot at Bartram High School, with stress management instructors. The results are heartwarming. Students come out of their shells as they learn how to respond constructively. They say, “I learned how all my actions have consequences, and how I could positively impact another.” “The breathing exercises help me de-stress, I no longer get so angry.” “I wish every student could have this, school would be a much nicer place to be.” Trauma-sensitive strategies can be taught in a cost-effective way, giving youth skills for constructive, creative, and fulfilling lives. Their flourishing will serve our city for decades to come.

Amy Edelstein, Philadelphia, admin@innerstrengtheducation.org

I know that there is legitimate concern about the possible rushed production of COVID-19 vaccines. I know people are also concerned about the vaccine’s effectiveness and its side effects. But I do not understand the politics of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis calling for a grand jury investigation into the manufacture of the vaccines. Has DeSantis moved to the right of both Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden on the value of these vaccines? I think it was a political mistake for DeSantis as he attempts to position himself for a presidential run in 2024. And it also aggravates public confusion about the value of getting the shot.

Richard Lippin, MD, Southampton, ricklippin@gmail.com

Chester should retain and build on its assets, as Thursday’s editorial suggested, while replacing its incinerator with new, productive investments. Selling its public water system furthers disinvestments that will worsen economic exploitation. The people of Chester should not have to wait a hundred years for the incinerator to blow up to replace it with healthier options. Chester would be the perfect spot to locate non-carbon, renewable energy industries — that’s one way to replace environmental exploitation with a healthy economy. While states all around us are investing in renewable energy — building solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, and more — Pennsylvania continues to worship nonproductive, exploitative industries like natural gas and incineration. Federal and state governments and private industry can help transform Chester. I’m sure that some will maintain that the city “needs” income from the incinerator now more than ever, but ending the environmental blight it creates will help spur true economic recovery in Chester.

Lisa Hastings, Philadelphia

While I am grateful for the overview of the current investigation of the Delaware County Juvenile Justice Center (Dec. 13), let’s remember that over the years the center has failed children time and time again. There is a culture in our county built over the decades that has ignored taking youth and their safety seriously. Harassment has been a common occurrence. There has been no commitment to invest in youth — by offering opportunities to practice healthy team playing, to build self-reliance and safety without requiring policing, to fund sound public educational opportunities for all students. The current county leadership seems to seriously be facing these historic problems carefully, but they cannot do it alone. It takes commitment to have a system that is not geared toward throwing young lives away. It takes funds, time, and attention. Consistently building this system can fail when we stop paying attention.

Joan Gunn Broadfield, Chester, broadfieldje@gmail.com

In her Dec. 15 column, Helen Ubiñas fails to realize that many of the Christopher Columbus statues were erected by poor Italian immigrants who pooled their money together because they were discriminated against and wanted to have a sense of ethnic pride.

Columbus Day was started following a lynching of 11 Italian immigrants in New Orleans in 1892.

President Benjamin Harrison declared Columbus Day as a result of the lynching and to ease diplomatic tensions with Italy.

The statue in South Philadelphia was given to the city of Philadelphia in 1876 by the Italian government. On it, it states, “In commemoration of the First Century of American Independence.”

The statue is more of a symbol of Italian American heritage and pride than it is about the deeds or misdeeds of Columbus 500 years ago.

Unfortunately, her insensitive article failed to address any of this perspective and shows her naivete about history and racism.

I only hope that she and others can learn from this.

Christy Adams, Esq., Philadelphia

With the epidemic of gun violence, including a massive number of school shootings, I understand the desire of the Gloucester City school system to have bullet-resistant portable shields on site (Dec. 14). However, the problem is quite complex, and I doubt that the use of these shields is likely to contribute significantly to the safety of students, teachers, and staff.

As someone who was a student in the ‘40s and ‘50s, it calls to mind the school “air raid drills” we went through to teach us how to survive a Soviet nuclear attack. These many decades later, few forget the fright of hiding under our desks when the alarm sounded, or nervously looking up whenever any airplane passed overhead. What will Gloucester students remember of trial runs with the shields?

Joel Chinitz, Philadelphia

. . .

While this shield is a step in the right direction, and our schoolchildren, teachers, and school staff need to be protected, this is not enough. Unfortunately, the individuals committing these heinous crimes are not using .45-caliber handguns or long rifles to perform these deeds, but assault weapons. An assault gun is likely to shred these shields.

Bottom line: Assault rifles must be taken off the streets.

Mike Altmann, Jenkintown

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