Letters: Lowell High's attempt to stifle student newspaper mirrors Trump's attacks on the press
Regarding 'S.F. journalism teacher says he was reassigned over a controversial story in Lowell's student paper' (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, April 23): As a retired teacher who advised a high school newspaper during the 1980s and early 1990s, I witnessed the firing of an excellent adviser in Stockton whose students published stories that riled administrators.
The firing was a huge loss to education and a blow to the First Amendment, a bedrock foundation of our democracy.
The state subsequently enacted a law to prevent the dismissal of school journalism advisers over student expression and student press freedom was guaranteed by state law.
At Lowell High School, it is clear that the administration is not respecting the students in their efforts to cover an issue of great importance to them — alleged verbal harassment of students by teachers.
The students did not libel any teachers. But instead of addressing the issue the students reported on, school administrators went after their adviser, acted to intimidate the student journalists and attempted to set up prior review of student publications.
In light of the Trump administration's attempts to control the press, it sends the wrong message to students. Every community needs to uphold the First Amendment.
Donal Brown, Corte Madera
Defend DEI in schools
Regarding 'California sues Trump administration over threats to pull school funding over DEI' (Politics, SFChronicle.com, April 25): The lawsuit filed by California and 18 other states against the Trump administration's threats to withdraw federal funding from schools over diversity, equity and inclusion programs is a critical stand for educational equity.
DEI initiatives are not mere political statements; they are essential frameworks that ensure all students, regardless of their background, have access to inclusive and supportive learning environments.
The Trump administration's attempt to penalize schools for fostering diversity and inclusion undermines decades of progress toward equal opportunity in education. Such actions threaten our educational institutions' financial stability and send a disheartening message to students who rely on these programs for representation and support.
It's imperative that we recognize DEI's value in cultivating a society that respects and embraces differences. Educational policies should reflect our commitment to fairness, understanding and the empowerment of every student.
Marissa Medina, San Jose
Fund scientific research
Regarding 'California researchers stunned by Trump's $312 million in grant cuts: 'No warning' ' (California, SFChronicle.com, April 25): As a physicist, I am deeply saddened. Considering the myriad miracles that came from science: the transistor, computers, the internet, MRIs, jet aircraft, satellites, rocketry, gene sequencing machines, solar power, nuclear power — to name a modicum of achievements made by this nation in science.
Public funding for research has resulted in incalculable dividends. Science has transformed our nation into the superpower that it is and made our lives much easier and productive.
Defunding scientific research will thwart the study of nature and how to harness it for the betterment of humanity, and to better understand who we are and our purpose in this amazing and strange world.
Scientific research has, more than anything, made America prosperous and is the last thing that should be curtailed when China will soon overtake the U.S. economically and militarily.
Mixing politics with science is destroying America's golden goose. We should all be deeply concerned.
Michael Pravica, Henderson, Nev.
Arrest is not fishing
Regarding 'Bay Area police: Loaded gun, narcotics found during stop of driver without plates' (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, April 27): The story says driver was driving a car with no plates at 1 a.m., had visible marijuana in the vehicle, admitted to having a loaded gun under the seat, and he later admitted to having narcotics on him.
The story then insinuates this was a 'fishing expedition' by the Santa Rosa police and includes data about racial profiling by the department.
The Santa Rosa Police Department should be applauded for taking this driver off the streets. The police did what they are supposed to do. Mentioning racial profiling was unnecessary.
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