Details in commentary don’t match experience

I am writing in response to IJ political columnist Dick Spotswood’s recent commentary about the ethnic studies curriculum taught on Tamalpais Union High School District campuses (“Tam District’s ethnic studies curriculum riddled with identity politics,” May 14).

I am a student at Tam High in Mill Valley enrolled in the ethnic studies class. Spotswood writes that, “the entire curriculum is immersed in a political philosophy beloved by academics and the political left: ‘intersectionality.’” He also says that students are asked to identify which group they belong to. Some say that doing so forms a hierarchy of the “oppressors” and “the oppressed.” I can say that, from my experience in my class, I was not asked.

It has been made clear to me that my teacher does not favor left or right political sides in lessons. The teacher focuses on the subjective “good” and “bad” of each side, but does not influence the student body to vote for a specific side.

Spotswood states that, according to the curriculum he read, TUHSD students are asked to identify with one of the following social classes: poor, working class, lower middle class, upper middle class, owning class or ruling class. That has not been my experience at Tam High.

The ethnic studies class at Tam has made it easier for me and others to understand the racial mistreatment throughout history. The class encourages us as students to strive for change in society to improve as a whole.

I hope TUHSD continues to teach ethnic studies.

— Jack Desmond, Mill Valley

Fearful, alarmist views on Trump are unhelpful

I am writing in response to the recently published letter by Sally Seymour with the headline “Trump needs to leave schools, hospitals alone.”

While I believe her fears are sincerely held, it’s important to examine them with clarity and a commitment to facts. Schools and hospitals are not being “taken away” by the current administration. Many of the struggles these institutions face — understaffing, funding issues and infrastructure decay — are long-standing problems that require bipartisan solutions, not blame directed at one individual.

Regarding President Donald Trump’s cabinet, skepticism is valid in any administration, but I think labeling members as corrupt or unqualified without substantial evidence undermines productive discourse. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while controversial, has a record of public service and legal advocacy. Disagreement with his views doesn’t automatically disqualify him from public office.

The idea that Trump will “anoint himself king” is hyperbolic and distracts from legitimate policy debates. Trump was elected by millions of Americans. His rise reflects discontent with the political establishment — not a threat to democracy. As for the felony charges, our legal system presumes innocence until proven guilty. Voters can and should weigh such matters at the ballot box, which they did in November.

Rather than alarmism, we need thoughtful engagement. Our republic thrives when citizens debate policies and leaders on substance — not fear and hypotheticals. Let’s elevate the conversation.

— Mia Camera, Larkspur

Don’t transfer my wealth to the president’s cabinet

The total net worth, or “value,” of President Donald Trump’s cabinet members is reported to be more than $20 billion. Since there are 26 cabinet members, each member has an average wealth of about $770 million. And their “value” is increasing fast. On a separate but related note, some estimate that Trump’s worth has tripled since his inauguration.

The average net worth, or “value,” of Americans at the age of 55 is $1 million. However, the figure is skewed higher because of “1% club” members included in the calculated average. Therefore, I assert that the median value of Americans at the age of 55 is a better measure. This figure is about $300,000.

Based on those figures, Trump’s cabinet members might say they are worth 2,567 times more than the average American is worth. I suspect many of you disagree. Put in these terms, I am quite opposed to agreeing with current economic decisions by the administration that will more or less amount to transferring a portion of my family wealth — aka my “value” — to them.

— Rick Roberts, Novato

Reports show immigrants commit far fewer crimes

It appears to me that President Donald Trump is constantly accusing immigrants of being dangerous criminals in speeches, interviews and social media posts. However, criminology research of historical records has shown that immigrants to the United States, both documented and undocumented, have committed fewer crimes than native-born Americans.

From 1870 to 2017, the National Bureau of Economic Research found that immigrants are “less likely to offend than native born Americans” and “for property crimes, immigration has a consistently negative effect” on a region’s crime rate.

A detailed study by the Cato Institute showed that “During the 10-year span from 2013 to 2022, the homicide conviction rate in Texas was 2.2 per 100,000 (undocumented) immigrants, 1.2 per 100,000 (documented) immigrants, and 3.0 per 100,000 native-born Americans.” That means that native-born Americans were 2.5 times more likely to be convicted of homicide than documented immigrants, and 36% more likely than undocumented immigrants.

Another 2021 study of national incarceration data between 1990 and 2018 by the U.S. Department of Justice found that U.S.-born citizens were 10 times more likely than immigrants to be incarcerated for committing weapons-related offenses, five times more likely for violent offenses, more than twice as likely for property crimes and nearly twice as likely for drug offenses.

These studies and many more prove beyond any question that immigrants as a group are more law-abiding than native-born Americans. They also contribute enormously to U.S. productivity, economic growth and innovations.

Spreading the truth about immigrants is important, because I consider lies about immigrants being criminals to be one of the most powerful, destructive forces tearing the social fabric of our country apart. A step toward mending that fabric is to tell the truth.

— Robert F. Knox, Novato

Local grief program facilitators share details

The loss of a loved one (family or friend) is an unavoidable human experience. Grief is often devastating, confusing and intense. Many dangers to our health and welfare lurk in the shadows of grief and it is crucial to take the time and care to process the loss of a loved one.

We write as co-facilitators at GriefShare, an 11-week program that offers a safe, secure and confidential setting in which people experiencing grief can come together for support, practical instruction and advice, comfort and healing. GriefShare is supported by the Church Initiative — a nondenominational, nonprofit ministry.

The structured weekly meetings consist of 30-minute videos with experts and grief counselors, a workbook with tips and daily exercises and time for group discussions of the materials and personal challenges. A new GriefShare group will begin meeting on Sept. 6; please register by going to griefshare.org or to tiburonbaptist.org.

In our experience, we have learned that participants benefit greatly from the structured format and the caring relationships that GriefShare fosters and provides.

We have learned that grief can be recent and extremely debilitating, but it can also be distant, lingering and incapacitating.

— Nadine Watts, San Rafael, and Marcia Edson, Larkspur

Downtown San Anselmo meters are an outrage

I am very upset with the new, ugly parking meters in downtown San Anselmo. I know others are too. I don’t think shoppers should have to pay to park there.

I will instead go to the movies, shop and eat in Fairfax. I suspect that sweet town will love everyone’s business.

— Helen Hayes, Ross