‘We are not alone in
our alarm, our disgust’
For the first time since Jan. 20, I felt genuine and joyful hope at the “Hands Off!” demonstration on Saturday. So many people, so many clever and heartfelt and on-target signs, such enthusiasm. We are not alone in our alarm, our disgust, our fear and despair, and our determination to stop this madness!
To recap: Hands off my body, my daughters, my sisters, mother and aunts! Hands off my money, my voice and vote. Hands off my fellow human beings who may come from different backgrounds, or even the same background.
If you show me any organization that contains some corruption, I will show you an organization run by humans. That’s why we need laws.
We constantly need to be vigilant and clean up problems. But it must be done in an intelligent, evidence-based, inclusive and humane manner in order to avoid worse damage.
This carnage and fear campaign is not right!
Carol Williams
Kealakekua
More support urged
for Micronesians
The harassment of Micronesian women and children at local beach parks is completely unacceptable. Public spaces should be safe and welcoming for everyone, regardless of their background, ethnicity or culture.
Unfortunately, this kind of discrimination and harassment can sometimes stem from deep-rooted prejudices or a lack of understanding about the struggles that marginalized communities face.
The stigma may be tied to a variety of factors, such as economic disparities, misunderstandings about immigration status, and a lack of cultural awareness.
Micronesian women, in particular, often experience intersectional discrimination based on both their gender and ethnicity. Many are also marginalized in terms of access to health care, education and employment opportunities.
Micronesians, especially those from smaller and less represented communities, may be more vulnerable to such treatment because they don’t always have the same societal support or resources to fight back against discrimination.
It’s particularly distressing when children, who should be able to enjoy their time at the beach without fear, are caught up in this sort of environment.
It’s important to amplify the voices and stories of Micronesian women and others in the community to challenge these harmful stereotypes. Advocating for more inclusive policies, better social services, and education about the rich cultural history of Micronesians could help shift these negative perceptions.
Additionally, fostering an environment of solidarity and support can create safer spaces for them to thrive.
Renee Rivera
Hilo
Mahalo for publishing
letter to the editor
To the Tribune Herald and Thomas Keeland: My thanks and compliments for publishing Mr. Keeland’s forceful, articulate and wide-eyed commentary on Trump’s and the Republican Party’s assault on America and our democratic system of government (Your Views, March 30).
Thank you for your courage and belief in the American experiment!
Michael Grigsby
Keaau
