Historical truth, TV weather reports, Kansas ivermectin

Don’t teach fiction

Headlines found on opening day of Black History Month educate us yet again about America’s ongoing race-related issues.

More than two dozen historically Black colleges and universities have received serious threats this year.

A Missouri “self-defense” gun bill (actually a shoot-first-and-never-ask-questions measure) poses a particular threat to Black people.

Some states continue working to impede minority voters.

The Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges it must step up efforts to address the disproportionate burden of pollution suffered by communities of color.

On and on it goes. And yet, many Americans seem to believe so-called “critical race theory” is our biggest minority-related problem. Less unpleasant Black history, they demand. More feel-good fictions please.

Black history and current events scream that it is critical for race and racism to be better taught, understood and addressed. That’s no uncomfortable theory. That’s a painfully obvious fact.

- Loren Stanton, Prairie Village

Just the facts

I am mystified by the erosion of critical thinking in our country, especially by those who espouse the varied and ridiculous theories in the world of QAnon and Fox News.

Jan. 6, 2021, was an attempt at a coup engineered to exploit the hysteria of the far right and hard-core retrumpians (no, it’s not misspelled). They wanted the former defeated president to declare martial law and use the military to enforce it so they could stay in power.

Then there is the lie that so-called “critical race theory” is being taught in our schools. Teaching the facts about slavery in this country is history, not a declaration that every white person is irredeemably racist.

It is ludicrous to compare mandates based on science to protect ourselves and those we love from a deadly disease to the persecution of the Jews in fascist Germany. Public health mandates are not the same as being herded onto cattle cars and taken to your death by gas chamber, starvation or unimaginable torture. That is fascism. Go see the Holocaust exhibit at Union Station, then dare to wear a yellow Star of David.

- Catherine Bogue, Independence

OK, we got it

Do we really need four or five weather reports on one 30-minute newscast? I don’t think so. One is enough.

- Philip Richey, Blue Springs

Keep us healthy

More than 2,400 Kansas women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and about 100 will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Although we don’t yet know the specific data, it’s no question that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer prevention, early detection and treatment will be felt for years to come.

This World Cancer Day, Feb. 4, is an incredible opportunity to highlight that breast and cervical cancer screening programs are critical to help Kansas’ low-income, uninsured and underinsured women have access to breast and cervical screenings, follow-ups, diagnoses and treatment.

As a cancer caregiver and an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer, I urge our state legislators to increase funding for the Kansas Early Detection Works program by $1 million. Kansas women deserve access to screenings and care that can detect their cancers and allow them to begin treatment immediately. This lifesaving initiative gives them a fighting chance.

- Alex Williamson, Topeka

Remembered well

Many thanks to reporter Jack Howland for his Black Lives Remembered story about Millage Gilbert, who died recently. (Jan. 30, 21A, “Millage Gilbert, legendary Kansas City ‘downhome blues’ guitarist, dies at 83”) I never heard Mr. Gilbert play guitar or sing, but because of this very good story I wish I had, and I feel some of what I missed.

Thanks to The Star for running this series.

- Pat Fischer, Stilwell

Medical madness

Why have Kansas Republicans decided they and their constituents know more about health than health officials? They want to override the advice of people who have been to medical school regarding prescribing ivermectin, which the FDA says does not prevent or treat COVID-19. (Jan. 28, 3A, “Kansas lawmakers pursue off-label COVID treatments”)

Remember Thomas Frank’s book “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” It’s a good question.

- Vicki Brown, Overland Park