Dear Teachers,
There is a Japanese proverb that says, "Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher." By the time your students graduate from high school, they will have spent about 10,000 hours at school being instructed by more than 30 teachers. That's why almost everyone has a story about a teacher who has touched his or her life.
Just like so many politicians, artists, astronauts, entrepreneurs and surgeons, I am who I am today partly because of a great teacher. After dropping out of school, I found my way back and landed in Herman Katz's English class. Mr. Katz believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself, and over 40 years later I sometimes still spot his kind smile and horn-rimmed glasses among the sea of faces at my speaking...
Lifestyle
Dear Daniel Tiger,
I love you. I do. You have taught my child to "Keep trying, You'll Get Better!" which successfully stopped her from turning into the Incredible Hulk that one time when she couldn't get her underpants on in the right direction.
And your advice to count to four, "When You Feel So Bad You Want To Roar"? Pure genius. I've used this technique myself many times. I would even say that, in the hours between my older child getting home from school and my kids' bedtime, I'm either counting to four or rocking in a corner somewhere.
I do have some concerns that I would like to talk to you about, however. First off, why is your mom the only one wearing pants on your show? Truthfully, the pants-less thing is a pretty accurate depiction of my own home, but I think you, as a...
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Dear Governor Brown,
As I write this, both the Assembly and the Senate Budget Subcommittees on Health and Human Services are preparing for hearings on proposed cuts to Developmental Services.
When I voted for you in 1978, I was working at Fairview State Hospital and was preparing young adults with severe developmental disabilities for de-institutionalization so they could live in their own community - a civil right they had following the passage of the Lanterman Act.
When I voted for you in 2010, I was preparing my own 22-year-old who has a severe developmental disability for adult life. Jeremy, who is impacted by autism and uses assistive technology to communicate, has been raised to believe that he has the right to a fully included and productive life in his home community....
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Dear Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Otisville:
Many times we write open letters to chastise individuals in the community who are participating in the promotion of predatory products that possibly hinder the economic progress of society. However, this time, we would like to commend Federal Correction Institution Otisville in Otisville, N.Y. for the tremendous work they are doing educating their population on ways to advance the economic progress of our society.
Recently, The Optimum Institute of Economic Empowerment was awarded with a "Patriotism" Award for our dedication to reducing recidivism through economic empowerment. We also received a letter of commendation from the Warden, Craig Apker, for our efforts to empower those behind prison walls. While we are honored to be...
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Dear Mr. Beck,
Serene Jones here. I'm President of Union Theological Seminary in New York, home of James Cone, the scholar featured on your liberation theology program this week.
I write with exciting news. Bibles are en route to you, even as we speak! Kindly let me explain. On your show, you said that social justice is not in the Bible, anywhere. Oh my, Mr. Beck. At first we were so confused. We couldn't figure out how you could possibly miss this important theme. And then it hit us: maybe you don't have a Bible to read. Let me assure you, this is nothing to be ashamed of. Many people live Bible-less lives. But we want to help out. And so, as I write this, our students are collecting Bibles from across the nation, packing them in boxes, and sending them to your offices....
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Dear President Obama,
Since Israel's Election Day, the White House has expressed its "deep concern" over a video message released by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he warned voters that the Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel - a fifth of the state's population - were "coming out in droves" to vote at the polling booths. While the U.S. response is a positive step, it barely begins to address the much deeper problem at hand.
In a recent interview, you said that "although Israel was founded based on the historic Jewish homeland and the need to have a Jewish homeland, Israeli democracy has been premised on everybody in the country being treated equally and fairly." That, Mr. President, is far from being the case.
Since 1948, Palestinians in Israel have been denied equal...
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Dear all,
Congratulations for celebrating 30 years of Band Aid. I am sure you are happy with the outcome!
I wasn't going to write another letter, but today waking up from New York City, not far from the United Nations Headquarters, father of the specialized agency responsible of the word health, I felt inspired. I've been talking to various African networks and wonderful people who wished me to write another letter and explaining you why your initiative was a bad idea, so this is what I would like to say and I am saying this as an African and in the spirit of kindness, sharing ideas and collaboration.
Africans are concerned that you are again taking their power away. Most of them don't have the network and power you have in mobilising millions of people; they possibly do not have...
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Dear Peace Officer,
Please remember why you took your oath to protect and serve. I am tired of seeing myself in the news being beaten and killed on the streets of my neighborhood. I have shed too many tears for my brothers and sisters who have been gunned down by you. I may or may not have different skin color than you, but that does not make me any different. I bleed just the same. I hurt just the same. I have feelings and emotions just the same as you do. I need you to remember that #IAmHumanToo.
You have taken an Oath of Honor to maintain your integrity, your character, and the public trust. But I have lost my trust in you. The nation has lost their trust in you. We've seen too many horrific crimes you have committed, and though you have tried to cover them up, we know what you...
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Dear Member of the New York State Legislature:
It is palpable. Confidence and trust in our criminal justice system has been challenged in recent months. New Yorkers don't need to be reminded by the events in Baltimore that relations between police and communities are as delicate as they are fundamental to the foundations of society. Before Freddie Gray, deaths such as that of Eric Garner raised questions about the relationship between police departments and the communities they serve, particularly for men of color.
The fundamental problem is the erosion of trust and respect between the police and communities of color. This breach manifested itself in the Eric Garner case, and similar cases in New York, in creating the perception of a conflict of interest between district attorneys...
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Dear Senator Fasano,
In recent days, much has been made of House Republican Leader Themis Klarides' reaction to Governor Malloy's statement that a law that adversely impacts people and communities of color is racist in its outcome. And, to be clear, the governor was right. Regardless of intent, policies that negatively affect minority communities are inherently racist in outcome.
But, of late, missing from the conversation on making our communities fairer and safer has been the voice of Senate Republicans.
Just months ago, you announced the Republican "urban agenda," an attempt to restore Republicans' fractured image in our cities. And you even expressed measured support for the governor's Second Chance Society initiatives. It seemed to be a step in the right direction. But why...
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