Let’s take a break from our phones, see how we feel

As a teacher with over 60 years of experience in the classroom and a grandmother of teenagers, here’s my perspective on the elimination of cell phones in schools. As a grandmother, I love to connect with my grandchildren, and I have been known to death scroll, so I know cells can be an asset and a liability. As a sociologist, I know removing cell phones from classrooms will have unintended consequences.

I was in the college classroom before and after cell phones were ubiquitous. Cell phones did contribute to poor attention spans, cheating and being easily distracted (e.g. Haidt, “The Anxious Generation”). Cell phones also did further educational goals, like research, note-taking and doodling in order to listen better.

Let’s amplify their value and reduce their harm. Ponder these questions: At what age and grade level should they be allowed? If cells provide educational value, then how do we make sure all students have one? How do students with different learning styles use their cell phones? Who would be harmed and who aided by their removal? What is the emotional toll on students when a prop on which they rely is removed without their permission?

We can begin to answer these questions if we experiment upon ourselves. Let every parent, teacher, administrator and board member put their own cell phones away for a school day, possibly a month? How did we feel? When do we use our phones thoughtfully and when mindlessly? How is our emotional and social well-being? What programs are needed to work with students who rely too heavily on their phones or are addicted? Let’s all “take a break” from our phones and then decide upon their use in the classroom.

— Eleanor Hubbard, Boulder

Trump’s hateful rhetoric is putting people in danger

Thankfully the perceived assassinations of Trump failed. I am however even more relieved it was attempted by a white conservative-leaning man and not immigrants of color. The vilification would then have been severe causing more hate and division but instead little is mentioned about his white race.

Regardless Trump and his minions are using those attempts for political gains by blaming the rhetoric of Harris and Biden and vilifying those charged with protecting him. Those crocodile tears show the hypocrisy of the hate and lies that has spewed from Trump, JD and his supporters. The lies about the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio, are causing bomb threats. The Venezuelan community in Aurora, Colorado lies. Hateful immigrant rhetoric to do mandatory deportation. The false Obama birther claims. Finally, Trump stating he hates Taylor Swift put “all” in danger.

We can pray that Trump will not incite another Jan. 6 uprising. Trump denying a peaceful transition of power was a stain on our democracy and should never be repeated. Assassination is never acceptable. Voting and Trump losing by a large margin could mean we would not have to see/ hear him again.

— Wanda Marker, Loveland

Why can’t Mossad vanquish Hamas?

You know what I don’t get? The Israeli Mossad is touted to be so stealthy, and they have proven themselves to be so. They just spiked thousands of pagers sent to Hezbollah with explosives. They planted a bomb in a hotel in Tehran months in advance to kill an enemy. And movies are replete with stories of their exploits in the past. But they have to kill more than 40,000 people — men, women, children, aid workers, and others — and reduce Gaza to rubble in order to get some guys hiding in tunnels. What am I missing here?

— Dennis Berry, Boulder

Boulderites should support Jaipur Literature Festival

As a Boulder resident, I just attended the 10th year of the Jaipur Literature Festival at the Boulder Public Library this past weekend.

Two days of insightful discussions and interviews of Indian, Pakistani and other Southeast Asian writers with a smattering of Colorado poets and authors and others speaking at scheduled times in four different areas of the Library. Free to anyone who wishes to attend but donations are gladly accepted to help defray the costs of bringing dozens of writers to Boulder each September.

It is a wonderful opportunity to listen to these writers who are award-winning writers in their own countries but may not be familiar to American readers.

The Library is transformed into a beautiful space with musical performances opening each day’s events. The books discussed are offered for sale.

I would like to see more Boulderites and others in the area support this event through their attendance and donations.

Thanks to the Boulder Library for their support. Hope to see you next September at the 11th annual JLF.

— Joan Graff, Boulder