The top stories last week

Anthony Abbate, Florida Atlantic University, Associate Provost, Broward

Former first lady Barbara Bush will be remembered for her commitment to literacy. Her namesake Foundation for Family Literacy supports access to education for children and their parents. Providing everyone the ability to read and write is essential to providing equal opportunity and the chance to succeed. Over 10 percent of the U.S. population are low-literate adults, with limited or no ability to read, complete forms, understand charts and tables or complete math equations. Thomas Jefferson’s writings also remind us that we must read to gain knowledge and tyranny can best be prevented by illuminating the minds of the people.

Sandra Bernard-Bastien, chief communications officer, Children’s Services Council of Broward County

Strong women headlined the news this past week. We lost the indomitable Barbara Bush, who was never afraid to speak her mind whether politically correct or not; heard and appreciated U.N. Envoy Nikki Haley’s ice-cold clapback, “I don’t get confused,” in response to the suggestion that she may have been; recognized that Tammie Jo Shults exhibited nerves of steel, to right an out of control Southwest Airlines jet, thereby saving the lives of 144 passengers; and saw Senator Tammy Duckworth presiding over a Senate rule-change that allows senators to nurse their babies on the senate floor.

Irela Bagué, president, Bagué Group

Raúl Castro handed over Cuba’s presidency without transferring real power or fulfilling significant reform to stimulate the country’s economy. Although there may be a perception of change, things will stay the same as Castro remains head of the military and Communist Party. Hence, the island will linger in a state of decay with no plan to help or incentivize the private sector. The so-called “self-employed” do not own anything and have no legal backing. Basically, the government can shut down any private business for any cause. Until the people can prosper freely, there will be no change in Cuba.

Pastor D.H. Dawkins Sr., Praise Tabernacle International

What happened at Starbucks last week pertaining to the racist mistreatment of two black men was a highlighted injustice that happens multiple times a day in every diverse urban city. I must applaud the executive leadership of Starbucks for hosting educational and reconciling events to help foster positive and productive responses to shifting the culture and mindset of their employees as necessary. Now if we could just get some more of our black communities to boycott some of the denegrating, dysfunctional and disrespectful practices of our own culture, then we’d add more integrity to more of our voices.

Sheldon Harr, founding rabbi emeritus, Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El

This past week the modern State of Israel celebrated it’s 70th birthday. It’s very existence is an amazing achievement. Of course, the ancient history of a Jewish State goes back millennia. Nonetheless in our own time it is truly a miracle what Israel has achieved. As America’s staunchest ally and as the only true democracy in that part of the world, as Americans we all would do well in continuing our support of Israel politically, socially, and financially, for the benefit of America, Israel, and for the benefit of all freedom-loving countries.

Linda B. Carter, president, Community Foundation of Broward

Recent events have shown us what can happen when a student becomes disengaged and isolated. Broward schools need bold solutions. That is why the Community Foundation of Broward just approved an historic $3 million grant to the Broward School District to create a new pilot program to address the social, emotional and academic needs of struggling students in the formative middle school years. This grant honors the vision of those who have established charitable funds at the foundation to work on timely and weighty solutions that are relevant to the vitality of our community.

Gerry Litrento, senior executive vice president, BankUnited

After learning Facebook may have divulged their personal information to third parties, consumers discovered their home routers are fertile ground for hacking. I just returned from a financial services technology summit where financial services decision makers and IT leaders discussed how to ensure consumer safety and privacy in a world where the latest statistics tell us the majority of smartphone users with a bank account accessed information or facilitated transactions via their phones. This trend will only grow and we are committed to increasing consumer options while hardening the IT infrastructure and fraud protection that must accompany it.

Ghenete Wright Muir, attorney. Realtor. LGBTQ advocate

The IRS website failure that occurred on the tax filing deadline was inevitable, thanks to antiquated computer systems and insufficient funding for its IT systems. Frustrated taxpayers attempting to file online saw this: “Come back on December 31, 9999.” The deadline was then extended by a day. My question is, how come there isn’t an IT failure that deletes all student loan debts? Is that too much to ask? Somehow, requiring people who are just entering adulthood to borrow exorbitant amounts of money for college — something that’s free in many other “first world” nations — just seems unconscionable. Here’s hoping the computer gods agree.