Attack on a principled principal

New Hyde Park, L.I.: I think it is despicable that your paper chose to put a picture of an NYC school principal on its front page and call her a racist with no evidence to back it up (“Reading, writing & racism,” Feb. 11). What was this poor woman, who has devoted her life to the education of students of all backgrounds, guilty of? She asked an English teacher to teach English to a student body where only 12%* of children are reading at grade level according to state testing, a fact conveniently left out of your article (*source: greatschools.org).

So, what did your “illustrious newspaper” use for evidence to discredit this principal and her life’s work? The opinion of one teacher, Mercedes Liriano, who wanted to teach the students in her English class black history lessons instead of the English instruction they so clearly need. Could it be that the principal thought it in the best interest of the students to get English instruction in English class and leave the black history lessons to social studies? Nope, she must be a racist.

And what did this high-minded English teacher do with her complaint? Instead of waiting for it to go through the proper channels, she went to the students/staff and asked them to band together against this “racist” principal. Patently ridiculous behavior from a teacher who clearly has an ax to grind. And what circus would be complete without the participation of the great “circus barker” himself, Al Sharpton, who never let the truth get in the way of a good story, or his self-promotion? Remember Tawana Brawley?

Your paper’s headlong dive into this divisive, racially charged witch hunt is an affront to credible journalism and a direct attack on the efforts of educators who are devoting their lives to teaching the largely minority students your article is claiming to champion. I guess I am a fool for expecting better from a once-proud newspaper that has descended into a divisive propaganda-filled rag. Dan Powers

Time for a history lesson

Bronx: Black History Month is about half over and it would seem appropriate to educate the public on this subject. Many Americans believe that blacks were only slaves during the Civil War. This is not the case. During the Civil War, 25 African-Americans received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their heroic actions. William Harvey Carney was the first black American to receive the Medal of Honor. Robert Augustus Sweeney, a sailor in the Union Navy received the Medal of Honor, twice. Yes, black soldiers and sailors by the thousands gave their lives fighting to preserve the Union and to end slavery. If only all of America would take the time to educate themselves about the accomplishments black Americans have played in the making of America. Perhaps this would be the start of ending racism in this country.

Gilbert Lane

What Malcolm was about

Manhattan: The Daily News has expressed shock that Christ the King High School considered a student’s shirt with Malcolm X’s name on it controversial. Malcolm X taught that whites are “devils.” When a plane with 121 whites from Georgia crashed, Malcolm said that “a beautiful thing happened” and that God “answered our prayers” and “we hope that every day another plane falls out of the sky.” Malcolm blamed Jews for promoting integration. Malcolm wanted blacks to separate themselves from whites and looked for help from the KKK to achieve that end. Malcolm said that Martin Luther King “was the best thing that ever happened to white folks” and expressed dismay to the Ku Klux Klan that they hadn’t knifed Martin Luther King.

Gamaliel Isaac

Black, white and read all over

Manhattan: Is there a reason why when there is a white-on-black shooting the race of the shooter and the victim is reported but when there is a black-on-white shooting, it is not? Case in point: The article about the two officers killed during a domestic violence visit never mentions the shooter was black. Race is always mentioned when it is the reverse.

Elizabeth Rodriguez

No cross-country carriage

Manhattan: Just what we need — a letter from a someone clear across the country who clearly knows only the slogans she’s heard and not the facts about the NYC carriage horse industry. It’s “dangerous,” Voicer Jane Eagle Blessings shouts. But the fact is there are literally thousands of carriage rides each week, and accidents are so rare, that when one does happen it’s news. A carriage horse hasn’t been fatally injured in over a decade. It’s “cruel,” she shouts. But the facts are that vet after vet who have examined the horses have found them to be healthy and fit. They are protected by the most comprehensive system of regulations in the country. The industry is “notorious” for sending horses to slaughter, the author writes. That is #FakeNews — plain and simple. It’s not true. Saying a lie doesn’t make it true. Just look at Arthur, who has now been moved to the industry’s retirement venue, Blue Star Equiculture.

Craig L. Sheldon

Missing the real injury

Brooklyn: To Voicer Tusha Diaz: After a bunch of inmates at Rikers Island brutally assaulted a correction officer, fracturing his spine, you have the nerve to complain about the treatment your husband, who just happens to be an inmate at the same prison, is receiving for spinal fusion surgery! You know what? Who cares?! Andrew Feinstein

Keep Catholic school Catholic

Ave Maria, Fla.: It is too bad that journalism has become so one-sided (“Lesbian Miami Catholic school teacher fired for marrying girlfriend,” Feb. 10). Opinion only. The writer should have spent the time to talk to school parents who were outraged that this teacher thought she could violate sacred teachings of the church — her employer — so selfishly. If an LGBT organization hires a person and then finds out they are against gay marriage, would anyone fault them for firing the person? Of course not. There are public schools available to hire this teacher. The church wants teachers that follow their teachings and can pass them on to their children. The outrage should follow if the Catholic school did not insist on teachers following their teaching. Jeff Fox

Pay to play

Greeley, Colo.: I am a survivor, and you are describing a trafficking victim, not a “hooker” (“Hooker robbed by pimps who tried forcing her to meet clients,” Feb. 12). These traffickers attempted to force her to provide commercial sex acts — by federal law that is attempted trafficking. Regardless of the potential charges, however, this news article uses extremely misinformed language to describe the victim. Please change this article to accurately describe what happened. When the media label us as something other than a trafficking victim, the public doesn’t see us as one, and neither do we. You have a powerful opportunity to make a positive impact. Megan Lundstrom

Ignoring the women

Bronx: I find it disgusting that Trump is minimizing the victimization of these women. This is the U.S.A., and it is illegal for a man to put his hands on a woman. For him to tweet that these are merely accusations and where is the due process — shame! Most of HOWARD SIMMONS/DAILY NEWS his tweets are very inappropriate, but this one is beyond disgusting.

Gail DiBernardo

Can’t beat this guy

Princeton Junction, N.J.: If candidate Trump had said, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Ave. and beat up a woman and not lose any voters,” would he still be elected? Probably.

Judith L. Cabral

Parade for one

Shelton, Conn.: Had to laugh out loud at Voicer Steven Malinofshy’s comment about Trump and the big fire engine. I think Trump wants a parade so he can sit in the viewing stand and have his ego stroked by being saluted.

Maureen Dishian

Big band birthday girl

Mooresville, N.C.: Wishing “Pretty, Perky” Peggy King a very “Happy 88th Birthday” on Friday, Feb. 16. Born in Greensburg, Pa., Ms. King is a veteran of the Big Band era (she sang with the Charlie Spivak, Ralph Flanagan, Percy Faith and Ray Anthony orchestras), radio (“Dragnet”), TV (featured singer on the George Gobel show in the 1950s) and films (“Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy,” “The Bad and the Beautiful” and “Zero Hour!”). She’s still quite active performing with the All-Star Jazz Trio in venues in the Philadelphia area. In my book, this talented lady is a real “national treasure!”

Herb Stark