I am writing in response to the article published Aug. 14 with the headline “Tamalpais Union school district adds support for students of color.” As the article reports, racial incidents that “rocked” Tamalpais High School last year have prompted Tamalpais Union High School District trustees to hire consultants to provide extra support for Black students.
The two people the district hired live in Marin City. That’s a good choice, because many, if not most, Black students at nearby Tam High live there. Hopefully, all Black students will benefit greatly.
In order to add clarity and context to the report, I would like to remind everyone about last year’s incidents. I don’t want anyone to think that Black students themselves caused the incidents.
In October, unidentified Tam High students posted a video in which a racial slur was used. To protest this shocking event, Black students led a walkout attended by 125 people, including faculty and community members. Another incident in April involved an online photo depicting racist language, including a racial slug and a swastika, written on the face of a child attending Tam High. Not only was it derogatory toward Black people, it was antisemitic.
Clearly, hate speech flows freely via the internet and other media. It’s conceivable that some families are ignoring it in their teenagers. To end these incidents, the Marin community — parents and educators alike — must be vigilant and act diligently to unpack this disinformation.
A useful action would be acquainting all county students with our local Black leadership. Getting to know thoughtful people different from ourselves dissolves stereotypes.
— Barbara Rothkrug, Mill Valley
I am writing in response to the article published Aug. 17 with the headline “San Rafael plans city-sanctioned camping area.” Both Mahon Creek and Andersen Drive are public thoroughfares. Camping there should not be allowed.
The encampment is intimidating to pedestrians. It is an embarrassing eyesore. It’s time for San Rafael to find an open space where a legitimate tent or RV camp (run by residents) can be established.
— Stuart Brown, San Rafael
In a recently published commentary, IJ political columnist Dick Spotswood wrote about the benefits of more mobile-home parks (“Marin needs more ‘alternative’ housing like mobile-home parks,” Aug. 21). Spotswood neglected to mention the dark side of these parks. Landlords and owners often leverage rents for their land into small fiefdoms.
Even if the trailer is owned by the tenant, without rent controls, these homes become unaffordable to many who live on fixed incomes. Their homes lose value and become very hard to sell, due to the high lot rental fee.
Many Americans, from Maine to Montana, are struggling in these parks due to huge yearly rent increases. Some are being forced out due to the sales of parks, which are now heralded as one of the best real estate investments.
Parks have become cash cows for the owners, as very little upkeep is required in many spots. Some residents face yearly 7% rent increases — that adds up quickly.
Larkspur Councilmember Kevin Carroll spent the last years of his life fighting for mobile-home rent control. It has yet to be enacted in this part of the county. Without rent control, these parks will only be profitable for the landowner. More importantly, they will stop being a good solution for low-income residents, some of whom are forced to live in RVs parked on the street.
— Lori Rusinko, Greenbrae
Recently, I drove east over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge at 7 a.m. The westbound traffic was backed up over three miles behind the tollbooth in Richmond. Thinking there must have been an accident, I turned on the radio, only to hear that it was “the usual delay.”
This is madness. The bike lane must be removed in favor of a third lane for cars. I’ve read about the bike/auto lane debate, but seeing the staggering waste of people’s time for myself convinces me the issue is a “no-brainer.”
For the record, there was one biker on the bridge on my return.
— Barry Spitz, San Anselmo
