There is no trust right now between parents and Fresno Unified School District leaders | Opinion

Hold Hamas accountable

“Fresno 99 Cents store won’t allow Politi Library expansion,” (fresnobee.com, Oct. 24)

This is in response to two letters published last Sunday which condemn Israel. Significantly missing from the diatribes is any mention, let alone condemnation, of the savagery and barbarity of Hamas and the ongoing rocket attacks. There is nary a word holding Hamas responsible for its actions, nor is there any sympathy expressed for the 16,000-20,000 Gazans who worked in Israel prior to the attacks, the 70% of Gazans who do not support Hamas according to some polls, the ongoing shake-downs of shopkeepers in Gaza, the use of “aid” to construct tunnels for their war effort instead of for the benefit of Gazans or any reflection on the genocidal ideology of Hamas dedicated to killing Jews and destroying Israel.

Bee readers should ask themselves three yes or no questions: Does Israel have a right to exist? If yes, does Israel have a right to defend itself? If it doesn’t, do you support Hamas?

Jerry Howard Mann

Fresno

Support ceasefire

“Israel says it’s stepping up attacks on the Gaza Strip,” (sacbee.com, Oct. 21)

As a public policy professional, I am troubled by the unwavering support that elected officials and government agencies extend to Israel. The Israeli Occupation Forces’ rhetoric about “fighting human animals” and imposing a “complete siege” on Gaza raises the question of why the U.S. staunchly supports war crimes.

Israel has long protected U.S. interests in the Middle East — the annual $3.8 billion investment in Israel is modest compared to maintaining military bases. As a result, U.S. policy decisions prioritize capitalist self-interests over human rights. As policy professionals, we must denounce these morally reprehensible actions and support an immediate ceasefire. We must also independently assess U.S. news and policy to ensure a just and comprehensive understanding.

Haleema Bharoocha

Oakland

Correct injustices

“Forum will focus on how to keep the LGBTQ+ community safe,” (fresnobee.com, Sep. 21)

On September 30, our community woke up to ugliness. Our Quaker Meeting designed and hand-painted a beautiful sign featuring the Pride Flag and a message directed to all: “You are Loved; You are Valued; You are Welcome.” It faces east along Highway 198, and is 16 feet by eight feet.

Overnight, it was defaced with homophobic graffiti. We felt hurt, trespassed upon, angry and fired up. We used our voice and platform to lift up a message of inclusion and love because we want everyone out there who feels marginalized to know that they are never alone. This attack, which we have reported as a hate crime, validates just how important it is to stand with victims of oppression.

When we put this message up, we knew there was a chance something like this would happen. We decided to do it anyway. We are repairing the damage and keeping the message up. If this happens again, we will repair it again. Quakers have a long history of working quietly and resolutely over long time frames to correct injustices.

For information about Visalia Friends, please visit visaliaquakers.org. Our silent worship convenes at 10:30 each Sunday and all are welcome, valued and loved.

Erin Grey Elliott

Visalia

Trust teachers, not district

“Fresno teachers approve strike, here’s what to know,” (fresnobee.com, Oct. 25)

Fresno Unified has sent out a letter to parents saying that they will ensure schools stay open during the potential strike. With what substitutes, pray tell? They claim to have 2,100 subs. Are they qualified, fingerprinted and background checked?

According to a community survey, it takes nearly six months from the hire date with FUSD to get your contract. And what about transportation? My family personally gets a text message every other day because our child’s bus is late to school and they’re marked absent for their first period: a terrifying thing when you have to drop your child off at the bus stop on your way to work and don’t know if it’s because FUSD has failed, yet again, to get your child to school on time or if they went missing between drop-off and first period.

There is no trust right now from parents for the district — and it’s for good reason. Stand with the Fresno Teachers Association because the school board and FUSD administration have made it clear that our children are a paycheck and nothing else to them.

Kathleen Osle Eugene

Fresno

Fascism in the form of parents

“Parents’ rights activists march outside Gov. Newsom’s house,” (sacbee.com, Oct. 21)

I grew up in a neighborhood that included Holocaust survivors, so I would never dishonor survivors by using the word “fascism” lightly. But there comes a time when you have to name what you are seeing. These so-called “parents rights” groups have links to white nationalist groups like the Proud Boys, conspiracy theorists and election deniers; in other words, MAGA.

When you see a movement that gleefully embraces political violence; systematically targets vulnerable groups; that seeks to erase all voices and histories but their own and nullify all institutions that may question or constrain them; and that rejects the outcome of any elections they don’t win, you are looking at a fascist movement. Stop calling MAGA “conservative.” Conservatism seeks to preserve institutions; MAGA seeks to blow them up.

We cannot fight what we cannot see. Open your eyes: This is fascism.

Kathy Campbell

Sacramento