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LISTEN UP, TEACHERS
I've read two of Seth Biderman's pieces and very much enjoy them [First Person, March 14: "
" and Feb. 14: "
"].
His writing is incisive and heart-opening. I love how he creates images and brings you into the situation. It would be great for him to have a regular column. And it should be sent to those in the upper echelons of education who don't get the human side of teaching.
Paula Steele
Albuquerque
NOT THE ENEMY
I just got through reading about William Blackie [Cover story, Feb. 21: "
"].
I'm a white male who has been living and working on the reservation for one and a half years. I believe you are doing a disservice to your readers by portraying whites as the "enemy." The article is a classic example of how many people would like to be portrayed-as victims. Hatred of a club has brought hatred of the pen.
God gives each of us a brain, talents and opportunities. Avenues are available for work, education and friendship. And one day, He calls us each home.
I learned a lot one day when a Navajo lady chewed me out, telling me, "You don't belong here! You have no family here. Go home. Get outta here! We don't want you here! Leave now!"
I think for the first time I understood how those old boys from England felt after being told the same thing a century and a half ago.
Kelly Gneiting
Window Rock, Ariz.
UNFAIR ASSUMPTION
I am appalled at the response that Joseph and Maria Garcia gave to Ms. Mannick's interview [Letters, March 21: "
"].
Anyone who knows Ms. Mannick knows that she celebrates the diversity in Santa Fe. It fact, she has spoken out on promoting diversity within businesses in Santa Fe. The fact that Maria and Joseph "assumed" that she was talking about the hip-hop culture is absurd.
In fact, the opening of Fusion is designed around diversity. The opening is celebrating Middle Eastern arts by benefiting Pomegranate Studios. The DJs are multicultural, one being Hispanic (my husband) and the other Asian.
Maybe in the future people should do their research regarding whom they are taking about before making such a harsh accusation.
Stephanie Gonzales
Santa Fe
NAMING THE WIND
Inasmuch as I have already taken credit for naming the summer high country "monsoon" (the year was 1984 and I came to Santa Fe after travels in India and a decade in Florida), I will now propose a proper name for the grievous and persistent spring wind [Spring Guide, March 14: "
"].
Every formidable wind needs a personal name. Think sirocco, chinook, mistral, Santa Ana and ghibli. Because New Mexico's dry, driving, aggravating wind comes off the western plateaus, it should be known as the pariah wind. Try it. See?
How about a chorus of "They Call the Wind Pariah"?
Peter Coleman
Guilford, Vt.
WHO REALLY WINS?
In the same week that Texas lawmakers voted to make the HPV vaccine strictly voluntary for little girls, a law making it MANDATORY in New Mexico is going to be signed into law [Outtakes, March 14: "
"]?
Though motivated by regressive politics, Texas girls will at least be spared serving as guinea pigs for this unnecessary vaccine whose long-term safety is unknown. Think thalidomide and DES (a drug given to pregnant women to prevent miscarriage but later caused infertility to the daughters born).
Once again, the only beneficiary is a giant, hard-lobbying pharmaceutical company.
Marta Macbeth
Santa Fe
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