Letters to the editor | Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021: Disabled Modesto musician wins Emmy
Modesto musician wins Emmy
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and as an Emmy-winning, Modesto-based recording artist living with cerebral palsy, I want to bring attention to the talents of my community. While those with disabilities face no lack of talent, we often face a lack of opportunity. That’s why it is especially important to draw attention to the contributions of disabled people to America’s workforce.
Early in my career as an artist, I faced employment discrimination first hand. At my first job in a Los Angeles recording studio, I was fired for not being able to move as well as some of my non-disabled colleagues. Instead of giving up, I doubled down and earned my master’s degree at Full Sail University, a place that allowed me to thrive and develop my skills with hands-on experience.
While at Full Sail, I got the chance to record music for Rising Phoenix, a Netflix documentary about Paralympians. As a result, I was one of several disabled artists to win a 2021 Sports Emmy for outstanding music direction. If I’ve learned anything from these experiences, it’s that if you give disabled people the chance to show how talented they are, that’s exactly what they’ll do.
George Doman, Modesto
Anti-vaxxers hurt us all
A plethora of medical evidence supports the safety and efficacy of the COVID vaccine. And every day there’s another news article about an unvaccinated person on their deathbed who finally comprehends the seriousness of the virus. Yet there are far too many who continue to play Russian roulette with their health – and that of their closest contacts – by refusing to get vaccinated.
Anti-vaxxers often cite “freedom” as their rationale – likely out of convenience rather than principle. Do they also support reproductive choice and marriage equality on the basis of freedom? And do they readily comply with mask mandates on the basis of law and order? I suspect not, as principled consistency is not the hallmark of those who are easily manipulated by Q-inspired disinformation.
In reality, vaccinations and masks are the quickest way to assuage the virus and hasten the resumption of regular daily life. It’s the petulant minority of non-compliers whose actions are delaying a return to normalcy and the freedom that entails.
I applaud our state leaders for taking the necessary actions. And shame on those within our community who somehow think they’re smarter than actual scientists.
Christopher C. Doll, Salida
It’s about Americans’ rights
Identity politics are jeopardizing our liberty. If you support Trump you’re a white supremacist. If you defy the progressives you’re a racist. Now if you argue at a school board meeting you are a domestic terrorist. This has to stop somewhere. We are supposed to have free speech and be able to vote for anyone we want to without fear of repercussion. The final straw is using the DOJ and FBI to intimidate concerned parents as the current administration is threatening to do.
If we give up our civil and parental rights we might as well move to a communist country. Americans must stand up for their rights. If we lose them we will never get them back.
Steve D. Pometta, Gustine
No, it’s about right and wrong
It is the choice of every American to walk a path that leads to an honest life filled with integrity, compassion, strength, happiness, courage, wisdom, humor, a strong work ethic and a good sense of well-being.
Right now, America is in the midst of a great battle of choosing right over wrong, truth over fiction, and a free democracy over a dictatorship. Look around and see that we are standing on the edge of a cliff, grappling whether to follow a man who seeks to destroy America or follow a president who wishes to rebuild America.
You alone, traveling your life and doing the best you can, must decide if you want the dark clouds of deceit and denial to forever obscure your view of the simply beauty of the truth. As an American, you must make this choice between right or wrong and if you wish to remain in the United States of America or jump off the cliff with a madman.
Danny Dean, Manteca
Political center is shrinking
Re “Americans are split on our goals, and close to a point of no return” (Page 8A, Oct. 6): I agree with the basic premise of the first five paragraphs but then it collapses and assigns blame to the political right. The column points the finger at the master Svengali (a.k.a. Donald Trump) leading conservatives to their doom. Trump merely capitalized on an existing situation. The parade was forming and he found his way to the front. Conservatives follow Trump because of the lack of options, not his sparkling personality.
The split continues to grow because there is no middle politically. The right is becoming more vocal and agitated. The column reminds me of the old adage that when you’re a hammer, everything looks like a nail. When you’re a liberal, everything looks like Trump.
Lee Adams, Oakdale
Bible settles abortion debate
There have been a lot of discussions about abortion, passage of more anti-abortion laws, and the possibility of the conservative Supreme Court reversing Roe v. Wade. Most of the debate seems to be centered on the question of when life begins.
Pro-life/pro-birth advocates answer this question by citing religious beliefs. Religious authorities’ answers to when life begins have changed throughout the centuries: initially, at birth; later, when the fetus begins to move; and now, at conception, when the sperm fertilizes an egg. The conception theory claims that a fertilized egg is a human being, a person that would be a murder victim if aborted.
The religious anti-abortion advocates apparently have overlooked the biblical answer. Scripture tells us clearly when life begins: “...then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). Life begins when the newborn baby receives the breath of life and begins to breathe.
It seems that the folks who want to control women’s reproductive lives have no biblical or religious basis for their continuing efforts to make all abortions illegal.
Michael A. Clarke, Salida
Alzheimer’s event on tap
Alzheimer’s and other dementia touch the lives of almost every person. Alzheimer’s Association reports California alone has close to 700,000 Alzheimer’s patients. It takes a devastating toll on caregivers; many live with substantial emotional, financial, and physical consequences.
We are fortunate in Stanislaus County to have the Alzheimer/Dementia Support Center to help caregivers. They are giving encouragement and empowerment to families with multiple support groups each week. They were an invaluable system to my family as we cared for our three parents who had dementia. I hope you will support their upcoming fundraiser. You never know when you may need them.
Let’s Talk About Alzheimer’s Disease at the State Theater on Nov. 12 will include a showing of “Inside My Being” documenting a woman’s struggle with Alzheimer’s and her brother’s education as a caregiver, as well as a panel discussion, entertainment, and door prizes. Tickets are $5 and available at the office at 700 McHenry Ave., Suite B. Call 209-577-0018.
JulieBeth Lamb, Oakdale
Libraries fit every lifestyle
I love libraries and visit the Modesto library every few weeks. I am also a member of the Friends of the Modesto Library (FOML). Oct. 17-23 is National Friends of Libraries Week—a perfect time to visit the Modesto library or your local library.
Visit a library in person or online to discover how your local library is changing. There are always books, but you’ll find them in different formats to fit your lifestyle. Your library might also have online language learning resources, makerspaces and programs for all ages. Ask if there’s a Friends group you can join.
The Modesto Friends group raises money for library extras through book sales, used and new, memberships and donations. Our members also volunteer to help at library events.
Visit with FOML members at the Modesto library on Oct. 19, 21 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or find us at modestolibraryfriends.org.
Maree Hawkins, Modesto