My high school graduation was in June of 1968, a year of turmoil. We had a riot in my school. By that I mean an actual riot with the National Guard called in to check student IDs at the door as we tried to live our daily student routines.
My prom date wrote me a sad little letter about taking his invitation back because his parents wouldn’t let him go to the prom for fear of a race riot. There was unrest all year in my huge, suburban school, but that didn’t stop our graduation and awards ceremonies. Blacks and whites, greasers and climbers, rich and poor, college-bound or not, we marched in to “Pomp and Circumstance” partnered according to height and were seated. Sarita, a fellow graduate, sang a beautiful solo of “The Impossible Dream.”
More recently, at a niece’s high school graduation in another state, the graduates threw beach balls at each other during speechesand enjoyed their own parents blowing horns and screaming out cheers. The crowd was unmanageable even after warnings to respect others. The whole thing was so farcical I didn’t even shed sentimental tears.
So, this year with pandemic restrictions, I hope you have the kind of ceremony that makes you proud of your school, your fellow graduates, your own accomplishments and your parents who adore you. The ceremony is not what graduating is about. A virtual graduation will commemorate your years of growth just as well as a social ceremony would have. Enjoy remembering your school years and that unforgettable send-off.
— Marilyn Dean, Glen Ellyn
Hypocrisy in GOP ‘law and order’ stance
Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me. Am I the only one who remembers when Republicans proudly earned the title of the “law-and-order” party? In a complete reversal, now they are declaring pride in flouting state-issued lockdown orders, which are temporary quasi-laws to save lives in the current national emergency. Is it suddenly noble to rebel against an official measure to save lives? Is the economy more important? Who among us do they consider to be expendable? If there’s a moral equivalency in the mix, it’s hard to find. What if it re-starts the epidemic anew? Having reversed their original posture, is previously esteemed “law-and-order” now a dead issue?
— Ted Manuel, Chicago
Our leaders mishandled COVID-19
However well intended, our leaders have severely mishandled COVID-19. For instance, we kept nursing homes open for returning COVID-19 patients, but closed schools. Though nursing home patients are less than 1% of our population, they account for nearly half of our deaths. As such, we need to focus on the 1%.
In Pennsylvania more people over 100 have died than under 45, and more over 95 have died than under 60. Illinois isn’t much different. But in response we treat all ages the same. Doing so is, well, dumb. I appreciate that our leaders mean well and are risk averse, but if they are indeed “following the science and data,” then open schools, close and protect nursing homes, advise — but not require — the old and compromised to shelter, and have the rest of society get on with life.
— William Choslovsky, Chicago
No-mask Pence disappointing
How disappointing to see photos of Vice President Mike Pence yesterday in Florida without a mask. Wearing a mask is a kindness extended to the rest of humanity. Masks help contain respiratory droplets to reduce exposure to other people. It is a kind, considerate, thoughtful gesture that beneficent people generously offer their fellow man. To go without is verification of one’s total disregard for the welfare of others. It is sad there are leaders encouraging such selfish behavior.
— Dr. Joan Coghlan, Wheaton
Why the open Dollar Stores?
So, I get it. Jewel, Publix and Kroger are essential industries and must remain open. After all, we gotta eat!
But the Dollar Store? Oh, sure they do sell Pop Tarts and Fruit Loops, but if they can be open then why not TJ Maxx and Home Goods? After all, they sell caramel corn and orange marmalade. Why are they not open using the same guidelines in place at Home Depot and Menard’s?
Does anyone question when the rules imposed by our “leaders” are arbitrary, discriminatory and capricious? Upon only casual scrutiny, the rules imposed by our governor and mayor simply look bad and don’t pass the smell test.
— Martin Dettmer, Wheaton
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