Thoughts on Starbucks
To the Times: I have received a lot of feedback for my criticism of the Starbucks racial profiling incident that recently occurred in Philadelphia, PA.
One harsh criticism/ comment I received was that this incident was simply an employee’s overreaction that’s being overblown.
Yes, this incident was truly an overreaction by a Starbucks employee but it was also a truly “reprehensible” (per Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson) incident.
My critics are welcome to disagree with me and reduce this matter to a simple ‘overreaction’ that should be simply dismissed, you’re entitled to your own opinion, just as I am entitled to mine. But this is no garden variety misstep.
There’s a reason this egregious, reprehensible incident went viral and has drawn the ire of millions nationally (from all ethnicities). This incident is eerily reminiscent of an institutionalized racist mindset that killed/abused/falsely arrested millions of Black Americans! So for me, it’s important that I speak out against racist behavior, whether it was done out of ignorance or intentionally.
This is a teachable moment for all. Especially for those who have conveniently forgotten America’s dark history of institutionalized racism. It’s a reminder of racism’s encroaching and intimidating presence is chillingly real.
As for me, I prefer not to spend my money at Starbucks ever again. I wish the company well, and to all its patrons, enjoy your cup of joe. Rev. Mike Robinson, Pastor, Greater Enon Missionary Baptist Church in Philadelphia, and a Delaware County native.
Biggest issue: Property tax
To the Times: Property taxes! This is the major issue in the 2018 Pennsylvania election. Here is why.
Property taxes were intended to be how municipal government would fund itself by a tax on property owners. A plan that worked well because local citizens watched over their representatives to keep taxes in check. The steep increase in property taxes started about 50 years ago as school funding placed an increased burden on homeowners. The municipal governments held the taxes. The problem comes from using property taxes to fund school district expenses. Reducing property taxes will happen when they are no longer used to fund Pennsylvania’s schools.
Education is a major responsibility of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg has for too long put the burden of paying for schools primarily on property owners. That burden has become very heavy, and now is the time to change that. As we begin an election year that could make that change, we should let those candidates that come up with a solution to high property taxes know they will be the ones getting our support and vote.
Only two candidates so far have mentioned their intention to make property taxes part of their agenda. Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland of Chester has said he will push for extra federal funds – especially for teachers salaries – to help lower property taxes. That is very insightful for the mayor and former member of the Education Committee in the Pa. House of Representatives to make. As Mayor of Chester he sees first hand how high property taxes affects his constituents, and as a member of the education committee he knows half of schools expenses go toward salaries. Switching the costs from school districts to federal and state funding would greatly lower property taxes. The other candidate calling for increased school funding by Pa. to lower property taxes is Anton Andrew, a candidate for state House of Representatives in the 160th District. He has said it is his intention to properly fund our schools without letting property taxes skyrocket. We should encourage candidates like these by showing our support of them for expressing our needs. Francis X. Tenaglio, Media