Residents write of deep concern over divisive rhetoric, call for return to values of Pelham Strong
To the editor:
We write to express deep concern for the rising level of divisive rhetoric in our community that sadly reflects the divisions that exist on a national level. In the midst of a national pandemic and all of the disruptions that it entails, this is not where Pelham should be right now. There are varying opinions on the significance of contentious symbols, both the Black Lives Matter imagery and the thin blue line emblem. Unfortunately, Pelham Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ has been forced to mediate these differences. We agree with Champ’s ultimate decision to bar controversial symbols of all kinds (both Black Lives Matter and the thin blue line symbol) by faculty and staff, who, as adults, are in a position of authority over our children in the schools.
We can agree to disagree on what each of the symbols mean. Our children and our schools should not be where the battleground over ideologies takes place. When disagreements are so polarizing, the best solution is one in which no one “wins.” Ironically, while staff can still express support of the police with NYPD badges, local police badges or other paraphernalia, there is no equivalent alternative for supporting Black Lives Matter. The key is for staff to remain neutral with regard to the symbols that are leading to division in our society.
We respect and acknowledge the service and sacrifices of our local police officers. We are their neighbors, co-parishioners, Scout leaders and colleagues in local non-profits. We, all of us, are the people who they swore to serve and protect. Public statements from police officials, written as a delineation of services provided with expressed ignorance about how some interpret the thin blue line symbol, do not help to bring the community together. We respect the Herculean efforts that Champ and our school officials have undertaken in maintaining our children’s education in the midst of a global pandemic.
We can still be the Pelham that we were in March and April of this year. We can still be that community that banded together to deliver baked goods and sew protective masks for our first responders. Please put this issue to bed so that Champ can focus on our children’s education. We need to return back to our values of Pelham Strong.
Tiffany Hebert and Nathan Pereira
804 Colonial Ave., Pelham Manor
Toby Knapp and Deborah Lowery Knapp, Village of Pelham
Solange Hanson, Village of Pelham
Rose Diaz, Village of Pelham
Maria F. Pannullo, Pelham Manor
Teisa Salmon, Village of Pelham
Sabrina Glaser and Mark Cho, Village of Pelham
Shayna Klopott and Michael Frankel, Village of Pelham
Suzanne McNamee Synder, Village of Pelham
Joanie O’Dwyer Paradis and Mike Paradis, Pelham Manor
Lindsay Goodman Smith and Jake ‘The Myth’ Smith
Amy and John Moore, Village of Pelham
Marc and Nicole Burgess, Pelham
Katie Zutter Butterfield and Brady Butterfield, Village of Pelham
James and Kristy Rebele, Village of Pelham
Leigh Beal, Pelham Manor
Marilyn Zielinski, Pelham
Julia Fuller Nakayama, Pelham
Lauren Frasca and Michael Kleiman, Village of Pelham
Liz Massie, Village of Pelham
Theresa Brasile, Pelham Manor
Janna and Mike Zagari, Village of Pelham
Chelsea and Pascal Spengemann, Pelham Manor
Katherine L. Pringle, Pelham Manor
Moneeka Zaman, Pelham Manor
Atasha Greene, Village of Pelham
Maurice Greene, Village of Pelham
Alex and Tara Weishaupl, Pelham Manor
Marisa Panzani and Josie Carbone
Christina Day and Elizabeth Ford, Pelham Manor
Alicia Carmona and Michael Casey
Kate Ashford Carpenter, Village of Pelham
Carla Romita Eccleston, Pelham Manor
Mauro C. Romita, Pelham Manor
Laura Baber and Mark Denner, Village of Pelham
Silmara and Ron Sucena, Village of Pelham
Lisa Robb, Village of Pelham
Melissa Eustace, Pelham Manor
Erica Winter, Pelham Manor
Monica Rodruiguez, Village of Pelham
Chandra and Paul Turner, Pelham Manor
Jennifer O’Connor-Parmelee, Pelham Manor
Liliana Arabía, Village of Pelham
Bethany Ow, Village of Pelham
Emily Pauley, Pelham Manor
Eileen Proffitt, Village of Pelham
Annemarie and Jose Garcia, Village of Pelham
Aileen and Tim Dose, Village of Pelham
Kara McLoughlin and Chris D’Angelo, Pelham Manor
Romina Levy, Pelham Manor
Amy Lacoste, Village of Pelham
Jamie Parilla, Village of Pelham
Barbara L. Boroson, Pelham Manor
Melissa Labonte and Peter Romaniuk, Pelham Manor
Solange Hansen • Nov 20, 2020 at 10:25 pm
Patricia, there is no such ban on student t-shirts. There never was. There was irresponsible reporting that insinuated a ban but that was inaccurate. The ban, as it exists, like in many many workplaces, is for faculty and staff only. Outside of school, they are free to wear whatever they want.
Patricia Yak • Nov 18, 2020 at 4:29 pm
I am disheartened by this opinion. Calling different opinions on important symbols of racial inequality “divisive rhetoric” and refusing to allow students to learn to express their views (e.g. exercise first amendment rights) through wearing T shirts is invalidating those views. It is inherently not in the spirit of robust discussion around important issues to quash any discussion that makes some people uncomfortable because it allegedly undermines a specious sense of community in Pelham. In fact, this view furthers the marginalization of those who have never had a chance to share their views and do not feel included in the community. True community not only tolerates, but embraces, different opinions and finds a path to bridge those differences.
In the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”
It is possible to respect good police work and at the same time support movements that address the far too frequent expression of abuse. School is exactly where students should learn how to express their views and be respected and supported rather than silenced further.
Stacey Kaplan • Nov 18, 2020 at 9:21 am
Very well said – agree 100% with this letter.
Toby lisa Marxuach-Gusciora • Nov 17, 2020 at 9:49 pm
I agree 100% with this letter.
Paula Wood • Nov 16, 2020 at 2:54 pm
Thank you, Ms. Hebert, for expressing what so many of us are thinking during this sad and exhausting controversy.