The Office of Public Witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has invited proposals for discussion during an upcoming webinar on white supremacy. I was delighted to learn of this webinar, because I believe white supremacy is an existential issue for predominantly white Christian congregations as they struggle to recover from decades of declining membership.
All in To The Editor
I read with interest the January 15 editorial “What Bubble?” I found its essence in paragraph seven: “Closing our eyes to truth, turning away from each other, and being unable to imagine the experiences of people different from ourselves: Those are three of the failures that made January 6 possible.” I think people on both sides of the aisle can agree with the editor’s conclusion.
If not for Black support in the Democratic primaries, Joe Biden would not have won his party’s nomination. And, if not for overwhelming Black support in several key swing states during the presidential election, Donald Trump would have been sworn in for his second term, and Joe Biden would not be our new president. All Americans owe Black voters a debt of gratitude. It’s time to start repaying that debt.
Do we really need to change the school calendar?
Wallingford-Swarthmore School District recently announced a few proposed changes to the 2021-22 school calendar that I think should be highlighted because of their consequences for our community.
A school for bicycles
I wonder if anyone besides me has had a problem just walking on any sidewalk in Swarthmore? I take daily walks at all times of the day and find that there are many more people using bikes than there used to be. It’s wonderful that we can use the great outdoors to break up the days spent in the house. But often the bikers come in swarms.
Catholic churches take on ‘most segregated hour’
In this time of terrible racial violence and social injustice, the upcoming birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. should renew the call to each of us to identify our role in promoting racial healing and justice. To that end, our two Catholic parishes – one urban and predominantly Black, and one suburban and predominantly white – have joined together to address the sin of racism and prayerfully develop actions to build Dr. King’s “beloved community” in our own communities.
After the insurrection, we must restore our values
We write on behalf of our Quaker Meeting (Swarthmore Friends Meeting) to voice our deep concern for the future of our democracy, in light of the violent insurrection that the president of our nation inflamed with the support of other elected government officials last week. It was aimed at denying the valid certification of the votes from the states to confirm the election of Joe Biden as our 46th president and Kamala Harris as the vice president.
An appreciation – by accident
It was my misfortune to hit a large truck which was parked on the right side of Walnut Lane. It was mid-afternoon, and the bright sunlight caused me to not see the parked truck until it was too late to avoid it. The front of my car collided with the corner of its rear bumper.
Synagogue memories
When I read your report about the conservative Wallingford synagogue Ohev Shalom (December 18 edition), I was reminded of many stories.
New superintendent needs equity expertise
As the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District begins the search for a new leader for our schools, members of the school district community are writing to share our expectation that our next superintendent will offer proven experience in equity and anti-racism education.
The anti-science president’s legacy may be saved by science
We cannot say that a compassionate concern for the well-being and health and safety of ordinary Americans is what drove President Trump toward helping to facilitate the vaccine development process. He has always demonstrated that he is driven almost exclusively by advancing his own perceived self-interest. But these vaccines promise to end this pandemic far more quickly than might have been expected, and for this we should all be thankful and grateful.
The blessings of 2020
As we near the end of 2020, I find myself reflecting back over the last 11 months. But through all this turmoil, I began to see the many blessings I have experienced this year.
DIY luminaria fundraiser?
I can’t imagine New Year’s Day on our Swarthmore cul-de-sac without the otherworldly beauty of luminaria glowing in the dark. I have ordered a bundle of white craft bags from Amazon and will use the miscellaneous votive candles I have on hand to compile as many luminaria as I can for our street to enjoy.
Thanks, police!
I was quite pleased to read that Swarthmore Mayor Marty Spiegel had asked Police Chief Ray Stufflet to increase the police presence in the downtown area. I am not the only one of my friends who has complained about kids riding bicycles on the sidewalk along Park Avenue.
PA pedalcycle rules
The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, Section 3508 (“Pedalcycles on sidewalks and pedalcycle paths”), says: “A person shall not ride a pedalcycle upon a sidewalk in a business district… [and] ... shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian....”
Lawsuit by attorneys general a disgrace
What does it mean when the attorneys general of 17 states pursue a patently frivolous action in the Supreme Court of the United States seeking to invalidate elections in four states (including Pennsylvania) and to strip over 19 million Americans of their right to vote? It means that they value preening in front of their base and a morally bankrupt president over their oath of office, their ethical obligations as officers of the court, and any pretense of common decency.
Trump’s presidency by the numbers
Thank you, Mr. Riviello, for your welcome defense of Donald J. Trump, Great President (November 20 edition). I do suggest that adding on some “hard numbers” to your argument, you know, to support the accolades, would make so much more clear the scale of his effects.
I was deeply disappointed to read the letter from Jim Riviello, “Trump was a great president” (November 20 edition). The writer claims that Trump’s defeat will result in so-called “globalists” being allowed “back into control.” I call on all lovers of freedom, democracy, and religious liberty to oppose anti-Semitic rhetoric wherever it rears its ugly head.
Neighbors to lose a vital food store
The Grocery Outlet store at Woodlyn Plaza on West MacDade Boulevard is scheduled for closing no later than January 3. I learned this quite by accident, overhearing a conversation while shopping at the store a few days ago. Customers and staff (including management) are devastated. The store is well-loved by its patrons, both for the variety and quality of products (including fresh produce) and for the consistently caring staff who leave no customer concern unaddressed.
The long road to wet
In November 2016, a group of local residents formed Swarthmore21. These volunteers organized to support an end to restrictions on the sale of beer, wine, and spirits in Swarthmore, with the aim of helping the borough’s business district become more successful. As a result of that initial step, a “wet” wine bar and restaurant, Village Vine, recently opened, and the Swarthmore Co-op can now sell alcohol as well.