Letters to the editor: Racism is real here; never reward bad behavior; America did not ask for ‘DEI’

Mylene Vialard: Diversity: Racism is so real here in Boulder

Boulder Showing Up for Racial Justice (BSURJ) recently received a shocking email: trees on a trail were defiled, their trunks painted with the N-word. At least one of the people who saw them was a person most impacted by this defilement. How many white people walked by these trees feeling unconcerned?

If you think racism is not an issue here, please think again. We’re not as progressive as we think. Boulder was originally created to be an exclusive white town. With a Black population around 1%, I say, “Mission accomplished.” If you’re white, living in Boulder and not actively practicing antiracism, you are responsible for maintaining that exclusivity.

While an email like this is a first for our organization, we are not surprised by this hateful act. Few white people feel the need to stand and fight racism, especially with an organization like BSURJ that works to dismantle our internalized racism. Antiracism is an action and a daily practice. Posting a sign is not enough. Many people in Boulder exercise every day but don’t take time to work out their DEI skills.

Maybe you’re thinking that this defilement was done by teenagers being stupid. But if our kids feel entitled to do this, what does that mean about how we educate them?

We must do better together by taking action to stand up against racism, again and again, so that Boulder truly becomes a community for all. What can we do? Watch “This Is (Not) Who We Are” by Longmont resident Katrina Miller (available on PBS) to understand the gap between Boulder’s self-image and the lived experiences of Black people. Join BSURJ’s mailing list for our next Bo(u)lder Conversation to begin or continue your antiracism practice (BoulderSURJ@gmail.com).

Mylene Vialard, Boulder

Mike Sawyer: Teaching: Reflecting on the rule to never reward bad behavior

During my young mayoral term (1984 to 1988), a white uncolored bulldog began hanging out on my three-acre home property. I fed it a can of food every day but was never able to touch him. My feelings wanted it to trust me, but wondering how abused it might have been. During the weeks a couple of irate citizens knocked on my back door with the dog growling at them. Rumor quickly got out that if you go to the mayor’s house he will sic his dog on you, which caused me to call animal service to fetch it. That dog’s experience has been in my heart throughout life, especially with my wife and I parenting over 60 Florida foster kids and the last 10 years of substitute teaching in a “high needs” middle school. During my recent seven-month long-term sub-teaching assignment, a 7th-grade student forced me to reflect daily on that bulldog, as his mind would drift away and disobey. However, at the end of class, he was included in the daily treat like his classmates. My 70-year-old heart sobbed with the end-of-school note from him. This reflection was inspired by Dr. Phil stating that you never reward bad behavior.

Mike Sawyer, Denver

Rishi Raj: Diversity: American people have not asked for ‘DEI’

America is the most diverse country in the world, made so by waves of immigration. The struggle to assimilate has been a heart-warming experience for most immigrants. Barriers and our ability to surmount them with humility have enriched us. I believe it is not wrong to say that immigrants have brought unprecedented creativity, cultural diversity and richness to American Life.

The underpinnings for the immigrant story lie in the Politics of Excellence, a truly American phenomenon. It is a gold nugget that eventually shines from within. It is the American Dream. It is not fiction, it is who we are.

The Government mandated Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is different. It is top-down, not grounds up. There were no mass demonstrations, like what led to the Civil Rights legislation led by MLK. Black Lives Matter was a worthy people’s movement. But DEI is not BLM. We, the American people have not asked for it.

Real political movements grow slowly. They gather force from winds blowing in from all directions. There was a possibility that Black Lives Matter would be sustained and would grow and endure. But, I believe that DEI has short-circuited that possibility.

Rishi Raj, Boulder