'Momma-and-daddy' families are needed
"Congratulations" is far too weak a word to be sent to Mr. Dwayne Spencer, president of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis (TFP, Aug. 27). His rise from desolation proves his enormous persistence and determination - worthy of Olympic gold!
Painful as it was for him to tell of his childhood, there is a huge blank gap in his story - no mention of Dad. If you decry violence and respect life, rather than focusing on past slavery and present guns, you might ask: "What destroyed the solid black family and who, precisely, is responsible for this tragedy?"
Before you reject this as an old white man's question, look at the numbers; how many lost young black men are/were children of a solid "momma-and-daddy" family?
Bill Laudeman, Red Bank
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More plant-based foods for schools
With the new school year starting, parents' to-do lists are now filled with shopping for school clothes, supplies and food. That's right - school food! In past years, our nation's schools were used by the USDA as a dumping ground for surplus meat and dairy commodities.
It is neither a surprise nor coincidence one-third of our children have become overweight or obese. Such dietary mistakes at an early age become lifelong addictions, raising the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Then came President Obama's Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, requiring double the servings of fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, less sodium and fat, and no meat for breakfast. The guidelines are supported by 86 percent of Americans. Most U.S. school districts now offer vegetarian options.
More than 120 schools, including the entire school districts of Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia and San Diego, have implemented Meatless Monday. Some schools have dropped meat from their menu altogether.
As parents, we need to involve our children and school cafeteria managers in promoting healthy, plant-based foods in our schools. Online searches for "vegetarian options in schools" provide resources.
Tristan Bell
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Pence visit offers a new perspective
I am responding to the article "Pence tells Dalton crowd Trump will 'end illegal immigration in America'."
I think that this article took on an interesting perspective. We don't usually think about what the local Hispanic community - some of whose residents hold conservative views themselves - think about Trump. It will be interesting to see how the comments that he has made will affect the Republican Hispanic vote.
Kaitlyn Goffin, Collegedale