S.S. Baker: Proud that tolerance prevailed in Stanislaus County

Re “Supes spurn effort to halt Syrian exiles” (Page 1A, Nov. 29): Face it, we get a lot of bad (and deservedly so) press regarding the Modesto area – gangs, crime, unemployment, sprawl, bad roads, etc. But once in awhile, we get it right.

The Stanislaus County Superviors, in refusing to vote for a proposal to bar refugees from our county, deserve kudos and respect. We are all descended from refugees, and our country is based on tolerance for everyone.

Then I read in The Bee of a gathering in our local mosque of local leaders of many religions, and I see a Muslim leader and a rabbi shaking hands. This, to me, is what we are all about: embracing other religions and ethnicities, and allowing all to follow their own paths without hindrance or judgment.

Finally, I have always admired Modesto City Schools administrators for formulating the world religions course for high schoolers. This has led to an awakening in our youth to the knowledge of other cultures and faiths, and makes our whole community better.

This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 6:07 PM with the headline "S.S. Baker: Proud that tolerance prevailed in Stanislaus County."