Letters: ‘Silence is violence’; Banks need to be fully open

‘Silence is violence’

I want to thank the community members, Penn State and State High students who organized the May 31 noon protest in memory of George Floyd. It was important for the community to come together in mourning, outrage and hope. I also want to thank the man standing near me holding the sign that read, “White Silence is Violence.” That message moved me to do some important self-examination.

I don’t consider myself a violent person, but I’m not naive enough to think I’m incapable of being violent. Now, however, I’m thinking about how my silence is actually violent. It’s easy to recall that some of the world’s greatest horrors were the result of the silence of many. Think genocide, workplace injuries and deaths, toxic work environments, unsafe products, etc. Think Wounded Knee, Holocaust, Love Canal and more. I can too easily believe that I would not have been silent in those cases. But would I have spoken up? Would I have been a whistleblower, a protector, advocate, ally or voice for justice?

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” A sign at a protest in downtown State College caught my attention and forever reminds me not to be silent. I want to be remembered for lending my voice to the cries for justice and the even more difficult work that lies ahead.

Banks need to be fully open

On Saturday, May 30, a local bank had a long line of vehicles waiting at their two drive-thru lanes and ATM lane — mostly waiting for the two lanes. The line was backed up past the marked turn lane for the bank drive-thrus, which are located on a very busy street. It was backed up for the length of the street block. Some vehicles were “line jumping” saying they thought the line was parked vehicles on the street. My wife kindly asked one person to go to the end of the line! Others were sounding horns and getting very anxious. It could have gotten nasty or even led to an accident. If this continues, especially at end of month and a Saturday, an officer may be needed for traffic control. Or a large sign with arrow for the drive-thru lanes. Let’s get the banks fully open but still follow the COVID-19 guidelines for businesses.

Bills on redistricting reform deserve a vote

Our votes need to count! Stop messing with our democracy.

The House State Government Committee and the House itself passed many bills in the past few weeks that were considered just days, even minutes, after introduction. Many had no bipartisan or clear public support, no public input or expert testimony.

The Legislature, and the House in particular, have been putting on a very expensive, dangerous charade at public expense because many of these bills had no hope of being signed by the governor or of gaining enough votes to override a veto; this is a waste of taxpayer money.

The bills I support, HB 22 and 23 and SB 1022 and 1023, represent years of discussion, research, advocacy and civic engagement. Despite having more co-sponsors than any other bills in both this session and the last, bills to create an independent redistricting commission have never been given a vote. Shame on you!

An independent redistricting commission would be an important first step toward a less divided, more responsive Legislature more able to meet the challenges that confront our state. The deadline for these bills is fast approaching. I want a vote before our legislators break for the summer.

Learn more at www.fairdistrictspa.com and write your state legislator to support these bills.