Being told to ‘smile’

As a middle-aged white woman, I appreciate and can relate to Otis R. Taylor Jr.’s column, “Looking serious while black: an offense?” (Aug. 23) about Chronicle readers who feel the need and the right to request a “happier,” “friendlier” (less ominous, less threatening?) looking photo of Taylor. I can recall the many, many times I was told — by men — to “smile” and “stop looking so serious” when I waited tables in Oakland to put myself through many years of college in the Bay Area.

Every time it happened, I felt demeaned and diminished but struggled at the time to articulate why to myself and to others. I have come to understand, as Taylor quotes Chris Johnson, creator of the exquisite video exhibit “Question Bridge: Black Males”: “They do that because they have a comfort level with how they want marginalized groups to function within the dominant culture. They have a stake in it.”

Anne Stafford, Oakland

In the parenting trenches

As a parent of three children ages 11 to 16, I am in the parenting trenches with setting limits on clothing choices and screen time. I need help. Schools: Bring back commonsense dress codes, make kids check their phones at the school’s front door, and stop assigning so much homework on the computer. Tech companies: Make it easy for parents to limit content and screen time. I’m at my wits’ end.

Sarah Smith, San Francisco

Shame on Verizon

Regarding “Slowed internet hobbled fire fight” (Page One, Aug. 22): It was shocking to see in The Chronicle that during the terrible Mendocino Complex fire, Verizon interfered with firefighters’ communications over a small amount of money. What are the company’s priorities?

With lives and property at stake, and walls of flame spreading through the region, Verizon demanded a more expensive data plan before restoring full-speed communication. Verizon should be ashamed.

Eve Pell, Mill Valley

Context for judiciary

Regarding “Lenient court puts burglars back on streets” (Page One, Aug. 12): The judicial canons of ethics prevent judges from commenting on pending cases. The article feels like a punch to the gut while hands are tied behind the back. If Superior Court Judge Christopher Hite, who is a thoughtful and talented judicial officer, could speak, he could explain his reasoning. To deal with this judicial prohibition and to provide context, journalists typically obtain comments from expert lawyers not involved in the case. Not done here. Without this context, there is no insight into Hite’s negotiated sentence that affords the defendant probation under strict conditions that if violated would result in a six-year, four-month prison commitment (eight months more than the district attorney’s plea bargain).

To add fuel to the fire, the author drags up the dismissal of old warrants as further proof of Hite’s questionable behavior. In fact, the court leadership regularly decides, with the support of the interested parties, to purge these obsolete warrants for the most minor infractions. Before dismissal, these citations allow the court to make guilty findings in absentia that can be used as priors. It does not appear that Knight asked Judge Hite for comment. Since these cases are finalized, the judicial canons do not prevent him from explaining the court policy.

The legal system is a mystery to most people. The media holds the key to educating the public about it and that is more important now since the independence of the judiciary has been under attack.

Ellen Chaitin, retired judge, San Francisco Superior Court

Make all SUVs plug-in

Regarding “Split decision: State loves SUVs, plug-ins” (Business, Aug. 22): An obvious solution to selling more plug-ins is to require all SUVs to be plug-in. You satisfy the consumer and get a cleaner environment.

Thomas Graly, Berkeley

Eye on net neutrality

We shouldn’t be surprised that Verizon thought the Mendocino Complex fire in July was a good moment to discuss data plans with first responders experiencing throttling of wireless data. Here’s to state Sen. Scott Wiener and your paper for keeping a sharp eye on net neutrality and the crucial question of public access for the sake of our democracy and sometimes our lives.

Carol Denney, Berkeley

Must have some integrity

Oh, to be an elected Republican official and live in an integrity-free zone, never having to bear the burdens and responsibilities of an ethical life. On second thought ... that cannot end well for any of us.

Karl Hittelman, Corte Madera