The way Sacramento State expertly handled Gaza campus protest was inspiring | Opinion

Thank you to Sac State

“Sac State professor praises response to Gaza protesters,” (sacbee.com, May 18)

A thank you to Professor Michael Vann for bringing to light the inspiring way the Sac State campus community handled its response to the worsening crisis in Gaza. However, Vann’s narrative misses that the success of the campus reaction is about the concerted effort led by students who are passionate and focused on justice in Palestine.

This effort was about students whose work brought together the faculty and staff, who remained on the sidelines, supporting their students, visiting them in the encampment and bringing them daily meals.,

It is the resolute efforts of these students that now challenge us to fix our gaze on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the city of Rafah. This should serve as an example to the Sacramento community and other college campuses around the country.

Harvey Stark

Associate professor, chair, Department of Humanities and Religious Studies, Sacramento State

On behalf of Justice in Palestine at CSU Sacramento

School district is censoring students

“Student newspaper being censored by McClatchy high school,” (sacbee.com, May 9)

The school district seems bent on censuring — if not censoring — The Prospector for simply reporting something said on campus, suspending journalism advisor Samantha Archuleta. Congregation B’nai Israel leaders criticized the Prospector for failing to apologize and called for the appointment of a campus antisemitism czar. The Prospector staff wrote in a statement that “topics like this should not be swept under the rug and instead be openly addressed.” Good for these young reporters for continuing C. K. McClatchy’s legacy of incisive journalism. One sentiment you won’t overhear in the halls of McClatchy High School: “The school district’s got some good ideas.”

Ben Schwartz

Sacramento

C.K. McClatchy High School ’18

Congregation B’nai Israel member

Where is climate change?

“Northern CA weather: Summer 2024 predictions call for heat,” (sacbee.com, May 15)

In “Will this summer be the hottest on record?” the author accomplished a stunning feat: they completely avoided the mention of climate change. We are going into what may be the hottest summer EVER because of our continued (and increasing) burning of fossil fuels. This is not a case of natural fluctuations of weather, as the article implies, but rather the direct consequence of protecting the powerful fossil fuel industry at the expense of all living things. The media, as well as our elected leaders, have a responsibility to inform and protect the public on this existential issue.

Laurie Litman

Sacramento

Local history knowledge important

“Nisenan, Sacramento tribe, fundraising to buy land back,” (sacbee.com, May 17)

Thank you for your informative, thorough and well-presented article on native-land buybacks in the greater Sacramento area. Information presented not only increases general knowledge of local history but helps organizations interested in Land Acknowledgements increase their ability to share that knowledge, thus supporting the native tribes. We hope you will continue to present ongoing information about indigenous peoples.

Susan Goodrich

Roseville

No animal killers in office

“Kristi Noem speaks at California Republican convention,” (sacbee.com, May 18)

Puppy killer Kristi Noem is still in the running to become Trump’s pick for Vice President. Since Noem’s book revealed that she killed Cricket, her 14-month-old Wirehaired Terrier, her chances of becoming the VP appeared over. People who care about animals are generally kind, and responsible – good presidential traits. Puppy killer, not so much.

Shelley Frost

Auburn

This story was originally published May 26, 2024 at 12:00 AM.