Denver South High School students march down Colfax Avenue in Denver on Dec. 8. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)
Re: “Hold East High School students, Mayor Hancock accountable,” Dec. 13 guest commentary.
Dan Caplis, in his guest commentary, honestly speaks about the recent student protests in metro Denver. Why do community leaders, such as Mayor Michael Hancock, condone school-age children skipping school, causing massive traffic jams, and even being complicit in the accidental near death of a police officer attempting to do his job?
As a former public school educator of nearly 40 years, it seems inexcusable for our system to permit young students who skip classes to protest in our streets. Does this allow young people, en masse, to violate the law and get by with it? Does civil education belong in the streets or the schools? Is the expense to control mass protests really worth the result?
David Prok, Parker
This letter was published in the Dec. 16 edition.I can’t believe how many writers sound like they could be writing for the establishment from the 1960s. They need to remember that protesters then were correct about civil rights and correct about the war in Vietnam. I believe that time could very well show that today’s protesters are also on the right path and those who wish to muffle their voices are just as wrong today as they were then.
Gerald W. Berk, Evergreen
High school students belong in class applying their best effort in earning a quality education. I applaud students at Manual High School who have established an appropriate forum to present and problem solve with police, school officials and parents.
Marching in the streets may have some visual impact, yet given the social media tools of today, the protests are old-school in most situations. Marching in the streets obviously puts all involved in harm’s way and is quite irresponsible. The forum created at Manual High allows for constructive dialogue and problem solving, which fosters genuine opportunities for change.
I hope that all those students marching have applied themselves to learn as much as they can in school and are committed to public service to support the community. I highly suggest that, in the future, leaders lead and set a standard of respect and pre-crisis thinking.
Ron Castagna, Centennial
The writer is a former principal of Lakewood High School.
This letter was published in the Dec. 16 edition.
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