San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Focus on civics education instead of renaming schools
Instead of giving so much time, energy and discussion to which schools need to be renamed, how about we give this focus toward how to teach civics inside those schools?
The discussion of who to honor or not in such things as naming schools could be part of that, but if the goal is to confront systemic racism, and build more inclusive and fairminded places of learning, what happens inside the classroom is what will make the difference.
Civics education, beginning in elementary school and including media literacy, is what we need to truly make a government ... of the people, by the people, for the people, as so eloquently put forth by one of the people whose name is to be struck.
Disregard for history
In response to Carl Nolte’s latest column “While we’re at it, let’s change San Francisco’s name, too” ( Jan. 31), I can’t agree more with Nolte and the total absurdity of the San Francisco School Board to change 44 school names from historical figures of the United States, to what?
Aside from the huge expense of changing the school names, replacing the school names on the front of the buildings, changing all the material relative to each school, this decision shows total disregard to the history of this country.
Lots of these men and women did things that wouldn’t be tolerated today but what they brought to the development of our country far outweighs the bad.
We need to learn from history, not hide it away. It seems to me that the school board is trying to placate every possible objection to every possible name.
At this rate, we would have to rename every street, alley, building and even the name of the city. It’s time for San Francisco School Board members to concentrate their time on more important matters; don’t they have enough to do?
Many names should go
I grant that the San Francisco School Board made a mistake when it convened a panel to look at the history of school names and didn’t put any actual historians on it, and as a high school teacher, I am sad to see role models who seem to have been unable to go beyond Wikipedia for their “research.”
But in the end is the decision the board reached so terrible? Many of these names should have gone long ago, and with the possible exception of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the former honorees will not be harmed.
Maybe the school communities will come up with excellent new names that better reflect the spirit of the community as it exists now. And anyway, is this really such a big deal?
Instead of flaming editorials and endless letters to the editor from white people asking thoughtfree rhetorical questions, maybe we move on and focus on more important things, like getting teachers and staff vaccinated, so we can get back to school. Just a thought.
Presidential protection
If Donald Trump were leading the insurgency on Jan. 6 as an ordinary citizen and not as president of the United States, he would be in prison now, bail denied. His numerous tweets to mobilize and his “fight like hell” command would be held as evidence against him. Seemingly, the role of president poses as a form of protection for Trump!
GOOD WEEK
President Biden’s choice for transportation secretary becomes first openly gay Senate-confirmed Cabinet member.
S.F. city attorney files lawsuit to put the heat on foot-dragging Board of Education to reopen the schools. Frustrated students and parents cheer.
City Council votes to require larger food sellers to bump up pay by $5 an hour for frontline employees toiling through pandemic. Grocers file lawsuit.
Farewell, Phil Matier
I wish to tip my hat to my former colleague and partner Phil Matier for his decadeslong run at The Chronicle. Matier’s laserlike news instincts, fearless pursuit of real information, and succinct and deft prose did more than keep readers well informed and entertained. They also kept politicians and bureaucrats running for cover. It was a great run.
Board made bad choice
I grew up in Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, where he is venerated. The school board’s decision to erase his name after citing one of his myriad decisions and ignoring the entirety of his career and life is an abomination.
I hope the name eliminations chosen by the board are slow walked until after the next school board election. Between now and then, I will work hard on the campaigns of those who run against the current members who voted for these changes. They may have done many wonderful things during their tenure on the board, but this one vote is the reason I will work to defeat them, using their logic.
BAD WEEK
Conspiracy-loving Georgia congresswoman’s halfhearted apology doesn’t save her from being stripped of committee assignments.
Athletic department dishes out bonuses to staffers on its big-time football and basketball programs even as 11 “minor” sports are being cut. Shameful.
Rupert Murdoch’s “State Television” is among targets of a $2.7 billion lawsuit from tech company subject to lie that its voting machines were rigged against Trump.