We have all watched important conversations about race, gender, sexuality and inequity in this country as they have spiraled into name-calling and Twitter wars. It is vitally important that we learn to respectfully have these difficult conversations so that our country can fulfill its potential.
That’s why I am so proud to be on the board at The Sharon Academy, where the process of having difficult conversations took center stage on Tuesday. An entire academic day was dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and students participated in, and learned from, a series of workshops meant to challenge students to think about “difference” in a different way.
Starting with Dia Draper, a member of the senior leadership team at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, as a keynote speaker, students engaged in workshops with members of the community to wrestle with difficult issues in our society. Teachers and members of the community modeled the skills of grappling with difficult topics and disagreeing with others in a respectful way.
Rather than just a day to learn a critical part of our history, TSA uses the day to continue Dr. King’s legacy by giving students the skills to understand people who are different from themselves, using thoughtful conversation and actively listening to other’s opinions.
Shouting is easy, understanding others is hard; we need many young people making that effort if the country is going to move forward and solve the problems that face us all. Truly honoring Dr. King is working together as a community of people, not just advancing one’s own perspective.
John Roe
Sharon
The past few weeks have been a harsh reminder of how unforgiving a New England winter can be.
We have seen our Upper Valley neighbors come through our doors, leaving behind empty fuel tanks and frozen pipes because they can’t afford to pay for fuel. Some families have even been forced out of their homes due to the weather and are now homeless.
Even with milder temperatures in the forecast, many families that were already tight on money are going to need extra help to get through the rest of the season. Those on fixed incomes, faced with an extra fuel delivery this winter, simply cannot make ends meet and they are turning to Listen. Our Heating Helpers program pays for fuel deliveries to families in crisis, but this year we will need extra help. If you haven’t done so yet, please consider donating to your neighbors in need at listencs.org/donate. Your generosity will go a long way to keeping a family warm.
Angy Zhang
Listen Program Director
Kyle Fisher
Listen Executive Director
A good measure of the outrageousness of Trump’s latest statement about immigrants is Willem Lange’s Yankee Notebook column of Jan. 17 (“Trump Picks Fights While the Rest of the World Moves On,” Jan. 17). I read Mr. Lange’s column every Wednesday because it reminds me of the joys in life, renews my soul and helps me survive all the ills and nastiness in the world.
This week’s column was so different, but necessary. We must hold the president and everyone who lies for him accountable for their words.
Babette Hansen
Lebanon
In regard to the letter written by Michael Schorsch (“Trump’s Defenders are AWOL,” Jan. 16): We “Trump supporters” are not AWOL. We are the adults in the room and would rather look at results instead of whining about every hair this new president doesn’t comb straight over his head.
People need to grow up, accept that you lost an election and let the man do his job. If you would get your eyes and ears away from all of the news that is not news, only opinions, and get some real news, you might see that incredibly good things are happening in this country under his leadership.
But most of you folks are acting like spoiled children, saying, “You can’t make me, you can’t make me!” And speaking of children: They’re watching.
Terri Macomber
Lebanon
The “I am not a racist” comment of President Donald Trump is right up there with the “I am not a crook” comment statement of President Richard Nixon.
The Rev. Ralph W. Mueckenheim
Windsor