Shouldn’t universities explore all sides of an issue?

Editor: Nothing like an academic fanning the fires with non-facts. Maria Pallavicini, Interim President, UOP (“We must take action to bring about change,” June 6, 2020) contends that the George Floyd incident represents “systemic racism and injustice.” For those in higher education, like myself as a professor, who receive periodic emails from their schools, this message is not surprising. All schools are mimicking the same contention of racism.

The Floyd incident is terrible, and we should do what we can to prevent it in the future; however, to use this as a basis to contend universal racism in America is way off the mark.

For example, there are extensive empirical studies, including ones from Harvard, confirming no systemic racism in law enforcement.

University presidents have a responsibility to do more than promote their own political biases. We expect that the academic members of our higher education institutions will use science and data to support their positions. They have a responsibility to educate on the complexity of issues and that invariably there are many sides to an issue. In the absence of this, we are simply reverting to the “dark ages.”

TIM LONEY Lockeford

Done with COVID-19 policies

Editor: This might be a conversation I would have with my teenage son. “Dad, why are we not allowed to go to church on Sunday?” “Well, the state and county health department says we can’t go congregate because there might be 100 or so people there and could possibly spread the coronavirus”.

“Dad, why aren’t we able to have a funeral for Grandpa, so we can grieve?" “Again, there could be up to 100 people there, we are not allowed to congregate.”

“Dad, the coach wants us to get together and start conditioning for next season.” “Sorry son, you can not congregate as a team.”

“But there are only 10 kids participating.” “That’s the rules, sorry.”

“Dad, I can’t wait to graduate high school this year, I’m excited to move onto the next step in my life.” “Well again, this can’t happen because with all the parents and graduates attending, there are just to many people in one place and the virus could spread.” “But dad, this is a once in a lifetime thing, a right of passage.” “I know, sorry, it just can’t happen.”

“Dad, then can you explain to me, how all of these people are allowed to congregate for these demonstrations across our nation? Look on the TV, there must be a 1,000 people there. Some are wearing masks, but most of those people don’t have masks on and are not social distancing.”

“Well son, all I can tell you is, I am being told that the protestors have a much more important message than God’s message, the next step of your life, your granddad’s funeral and your physical training.”

“It doesn’t seem right dad?" “No it doesn’t son, I can only tell you that our society tends to break apart when it’s politicians are afraid to stand up to what’s right and what’s wrong in our country. Son, I pray that your generation will figure this out before our nation weakens to the point it’s irreparable!"

My question is, do these policies make sense to anyone? I’m done with these policies!

DAN CHRISTY

Lodi