Columnist Steve Nelson in his March 13 op-ed (“It’s not ‘divisive’ to expose systematic racism in action”) chastises New York Times columnist Bret Stephens for opposing critical race theory and attacks New Hampshire bill HB 544.
Does Nelson even understand HB 544? It does not forbid anyone from believing “divisive concepts,” but it forbids the enforcement of those concepts on others in the workplace. Nelson claims HB 544 suppresses free speech. It explicitly states the opposite: “Nothing … shall be construed to prohibit discussing, as part of a larger course of academic instruction, the divisive concepts listed … in an objective manner and without endorsement.” Nor would it “prevent agencies or contractors from promoting racial, cultural, or ethnic diversity or inclusiveness,” something we all want. Certainly, complex problems remain, but enforcing critical race theory is no way to fix them. In fact, it reverses Martin Luther King Jr.’s dictum to judge people by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.
Those “divisive concepts” are just that: concepts, beliefs — not scientific facts. But they’re being forced on employees and students as young as 5 as established scientific truths. Indeed they are divisive and controversial, but anyone who questions critical race theory is subject to personal attacks, ostracism or job loss. In Nevada, a biracial high school student refused to self-identify as a white supremacist. He was flunked and couldn’t graduate. In a California elementary school, students had to state where they fell on a “whiteness identity scale” that ranged from “white supremacist” to “white abolitionist.” A training program used by Coca-Cola urged employees to “to be less white.”
Nobody wants racism, nobody wants discrimination, but coercive critical race theory training sessions do exactly the opposite of their intent. Other approaches are much better. This is not a left-right issue but a defense of classic liberal democracy. How sad that New Hampshire has to enact a bill to protect it, and Steve Nelson isn’t able to recognize that.
MIRIAM RICHARDS
Norwich
Imagine a parallel universe where the soldiers, sailors, pilots, etc., in the U.S. military are expected to pay for their own training individually, often going into extensive personal debt to acquire the skills they will need to fulfill their duties. They are required to do unpaid assignments as they move through the advanced stages of their studies. Once fully trained, they enter a post-graduate stage where many can expect barely living wages that make meeting everyday expenses and paying back their debt very difficult.
That version of the military wouldn’t work so well, would it? And yet, this is exactly what society routinely expects of therapists and social workers (not to mention teachers, doctors and nurses).
It’s absurd to bemoan “the mental health crisis” while leaving those who are motivated to meet its challenges so thoroughly unsupported in their efforts to do so.
If we as a society truly want to see access to quality mental health care improve, we need to put resources into training those who provide it. Among other benefits, such measures might in time attract much-needed Black, Indigenous and other people of color to the ranks of clinicians and therapists.
JULIE PÜTTGEN
Lebanon
I am a recently retired professor of studio art at Dartmouth College and am moved by the Forum letters, as well as by discussions among friends and former colleagues, to voice strong support for the Paddock Music Library in its current location.
I witnessed the educational vitality of this library every day when my office and classes were in the Hopkins Center. Music students and performers were in and out at all hours. Professors from other departments on campus, alumni and community members tapped its resources every day — some for material to use in class or research, some for personal enrichment.
I myself borrowed sheet music for a one-time performance group, and schooled myself in advance of several Hopkins Center classical music performances. When a music professor spoke to my senior seminar class about relationships between visual art and music in the late 20th century, we were able to borrow original scores from Paddock. That class also met in a Hop practice room to experiment with sight and sound, creating a combined educational experience that would not have happened if the materials were not readily at hand in a building where music was alive.
Because of Paddock’s location at the center of the Arts District, music can be investigated in the moment of learning, playing or writing it. Publications of music vary, in details great and small. When a question comes up during a lesson or practice session in the Hop, students practicing any instrument can stop by Paddock to compare publications, or research the composers’ intent.
Removing the music library is a first step in hollowing out the unique richness of the Hopkins Center. Paddock is a vital link between the study and performance of music, and a perfect example of the educational excellence that should be Dartmouth’s top priority.
I hope the importance of this extraordinary and easily accessible music library will persuade Dartmouth administrators to reverse their decision. Paddock is a jewel that should be kept intact and in place.
LOUISE HAMLIN
Norwich
March 19 marked three months since a devastating fire took the lives of our six dogs, our home of 35 years and my business. Since that fire, the Upper Valley and beyond has blessed us with financial donations, messages of love and hope, and many prayers.
We would like to thank everyone for their love and support. We don’t know where our minds and hearts would be without the uplifting hope offered by so many Upper Valley communities.
We would also like to thank John Bassette Real Estate for his help in figuring out the best thing to do: rebuild in an unsafe spot or find a new home? We would like to thank Stonecliff Animal Clinic for their generosity in cremating the bodies of four of our precious dogs. Belle and Bloo Worm were never found. Thank you to Mascoma Bank, April Doherty and Bettina Read for handling donations. Thank you to our son and niece for their herculean efforts in raising money through Go Fund Me.
Our hearts will never forget the love shown to us and when we are on our feet we will pay it forward a thousand fold.
MARLENE and STEPHEN MURRAY
Hartland
Regarding the proposal to put playing fields on land behind the old Kmart in West Lebanon (“Riverside forest’s future debated,” March 16). Stream valley parks are a great multipurpose use for areas like this and have been a very successful program in other states as well, as long as the natural plants and trees are maintained as much as possible, preserving green space.
Ballfields are a good use for areas subject to flooding. Benches can be bolted to concrete, there are no regular structures, and water can infiltrate into the soil during rain or floods. Much better than building houses or businesses next to rivers.
KARL WAGNER
South Royalton
It is a shame that Vermont went ahead and banned “single-use” plastic bags at stores. The bags were excellent reused as trash bags at home. Now I must buy single-use trash bags that have double the environmental impact since they’re only used for a single thing.
A U.K. study found that for a reusable cotton bag to have a lower global warming potential than single-use plastic bags it must be used 131 times. Moreover, the reusable bags that are being promoted also promote the spread of disease and should be washed before each use, according to the CDC, thus wasting more time and resources.
In my view, the Vermont plastic bag ban is short-sighted, unscientific, unhygienic and environmentally a poor policy.
A wiser policy would have been for the government to encourage the development and use of biodegradable bags. Paper bags are biodegradable. Plastics can be made biodegradable, too. Let’s think before we legislate.
WALTER JEFFRIES
West Topsham
I was driving south on Interstate 89 on a cold Sunday afternoon. Outside, the stark, winter trees glistened and the telephone wires were frozen in their suspension. The billowy, white clouds appeared pasted to their brilliant, blue background. However, the sunshine was warm on my face and I chose to squint rather than shade out a single ray of warmth.
I was vaguely aware of the song playing on the radio when I began to daydream. It was 1943, in Atlanta, and Doris Day was singing Sentimental Journey. The smell of mashed potatoes filled the air of the Army mess hall. I could hear the clatter of aluminum pots and the tingle of glasses. The cooks with their poofy white hats and their bright smiles were always cheerful and always made us laugh. To a 4- and 5-year-old, this was a great place to be!
After feasting, my brother and I would look for our best friends, Alice and Beth. We liked them from the very moment we met them. They told us stories about their hometown in Alabama and taught us how to play games we had never heard of in New Hampshire. They laughed a lot and were fun to be with. Our friends liked my parents and my parents liked them too. It was always sad when it was time for us to go. However, that day it was particularly sad because we were going home to New Hampshire. My brother and I waved goodbye from the back of our car to the beautiful, simple world of children.
When I, reluctantly, returned from my daydream, Doris Day was just finishing and I could still appreciate the smell of mashed potatoes and the warmth of a special memory.
“What’s your point?” you ask.
Isn’t it wonderful that this simple story could be told and the response is “what’s your point?” However, as soon as the reader is told that our two playmates were Black, the dynamics change. Isn’t that the “real” story, and isn’t that so very sad?
CONSTANCE M. EMERSON
Quechee