To the editor:
Regarding “Home Buying Ban Shocks Chinese in Florida” (News article, May 7):
An excellent report by Amy Chin and Patricia Mazzei explains why state Rep. David Borrello, a Miami-area Republican, is wrong in claiming that national security interests outweigh discrimination claims. It shows what is happening.
We see again and again how this false dichotomy is used to justify civil rights violations against Asian Americans. This has been true at key points of contact throughout our history, from the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II to the now-defunct Justice Department’s China Initiative, and it has been true for Asian Americans and The false targeting, profiling, and prosecution of immigrant researchers and scientists increased. And professors, especially professors of Chinese descent.
We must not allow the bigoted views espoused by Congressman Borrero and others who support these efforts to go unchecked.
Joanna Yanchin Darman
Washington
The author is director of the Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights, and National Security Program at Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC.
To the editor:
Laws in Florida and other states bar many Chinese people and businesses from buying homes, a sign of growing anti-China sentiment among Americans.
A non-discriminatory federal law could more effectively curb China’s geopolitical goal of requiring all Internet product ads to prominently display the country of manufacture.
Consumer purchases that would benefit from such a law would be better informed, could change the trade imbalance between the United States and China, and would avoid retaliation. Full disclosure of a product’s origin would allow consumers to express support for or disapproval of China without government involvement.
William Dolan
Richmond Hill, Georgia
To the editor:
About “Let’s all take a deep breath about China” by Rory Truex (opinion guest essay, May 6th):
laundry. Railway. Now, technology companies. As Dr. Truex points out, fear of the “China” threat to American life is deeply embedded in the American political imagination.
This concern also influences policy choices. Until U.S. policymakers acknowledge that fear is a key factor in shaping U.S. China policy, fear-based and reactionary measures such as blocking Chinese students from studying in STEM fields at U.S. universities will continue to grow. I am concerned that by pursuing policies we will continue to violate American values.
M. Robinson Hunt
London
The author is an American Ph.D. candidate in the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
our rights at risk
To the editor:
Regarding “Harris warns of future Supreme Court restrictive rulings” (news article, May 10):
In an interview with the Times, Vice President Kamala Harris articulated what should be the central message of the Biden-Harris reelection campaign. She highlighted the threat to reproductive freedom posed by some members of the Supreme Court and suggested the court could restrict broad civil rights and personal liberties for many Americans. .
Former President Donald J. Trump and Republicans in Congress have made similar threats. Examples of rights already at stake include the right to vote, the right to marry whomever you want, the right to contraception, the right to study your country’s history objectively, the right to read what you want, and the right to own your own books. These include ownership rights. Gender identity.
The Biden-Harris campaign would do well to remind Americans of these threats as the presidential election approaches.
Charles W. Mitchell
Parkton, Maryland
takeover of columbia
To the editor:
About “Three Colombian workers tell of terrifying time trapped in a hall” (front page of May 9th):
Clearly, Columbia University’s administration grossly failed in its duty to protect maintenance workers during the Hamilton Hall takeover.
What I found alarming, at least to me, was the complete disregard for the safety (physical and mental) of the maintenance workers inside the hall.
Showing indifference and treating them with disrespect called into question the values of the protesters. What does it say about them that their actions did not include treating maintenance workers with dignity and respect?
Maida Cohen Ramel
Evanston, Illinois
Beethoven’s legacy: hope and perseverance in the face of hearing loss
To the editor:
Regarding “Clues to Beethoven’s hearing loss may lie in the strands of his hair” (front page of May 8th):
I have bilateral cochlear implants and have lost and regained my hearing not once, but twice. The story of Ludwig van Beethoven’s ongoing struggle with hearing loss as he continued to compose and conduct music has always given me a special inspiration that goes beyond his music.
Every time I listen to his work, I hear more than just exquisitely written and performed notes. He hears the voices of his fellow countrymen who are overcoming trauma, adversity, and fear through his art. Instead of despairing, he whispers to me to be like him and make the most of what I have in my own way.
As scientists unravel the mystery of why Beethoven lost his hearing, the true story will always be his perseverance despite what many of us are experiencing. Hearing loss. His deep depression and momentary thoughts of ending it all before stopping himself and realizing he still had so much to offer. Doctors visited him again and again, but no one knew why he lost his hearing or how to stop it.
While there is no doubt that unraveling the causes of many root causes of hearing loss is important, scientists, doctors, and others throughout the hearing community often forget the humanity behind the experience of hearing loss. Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen.
For many of us as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Ninth Symphony, Beethoven’s true legacy remains one of hope.
Greg Joseph
Sun City, Arizona.
PEN America matters
To the editor:
About “Authors Must Stand Up for PEN America” by Pamela Paul (column, May 1):
I am also a Penn member and admire Paul’s column. Canceling Penn’s annual World Voices Festival because of criticism by a group of writers would mean capitulating to a certain view of the current war between Israel and Hamas.
PEN’s strength is its ability to endure difficult times of protest without in any way diminishing its presence as a leading forum for thought, literary expression, and advocacy for writers around the world. Our organizations have an important role to play, and compromising one perspective to the exclusion of others weakens the organization.
Alan Graubard
new york
The author is a poet, playwright, and critic.
President Trump’s empty vows
To the editor:
Regarding “President Trump Vows to Avoid Deportations and Violence” (news article, May 1):
If Donald Trump were to win, as he envisions becoming president, he might be better off skipping the swearing-in ceremony. The oath of office means nothing to him. He has no intention of preserving, protecting, or defending the United States Constitution.
Douglas G. Williams
minneapolis
