CAROLLTON LETTER

Re the April 1 online article “A Miami Catholic school confronted racism after George Floyd. Parents complained:” The phrase “Traditional Catholic values” is code for casting aspersion on those not holding the outdated Cuban ideology of the 1960s.

It is code for intolerance and a tool to demonize those holding different political views. The traditional Catholic values of my youth in 1960s Coral Gables included no discussion of race, elevated homophobia and found a tragic presence of pedophile priests at my church.

The dark-skinned Jew, the Jesus of my experience as an ordained minister, dealt with the tough issues confronting his world, and challenged the hypocritical establishment that excluded the marginalized. To grow as a society is to teach future generations to confront injustices and challenge the status quo when needed.

As a potential future mayor, Coral Gables Vice Mayor Vince Lago might remember that he also serves the communities of color in his employee population who do some of the hardest jobs. Character counts — remember that on Election Day.

– Maria Anderson, former city commissioner,

Coral Gables