Letters to the Editor | April 23, 2025

Our country is facing a very serious national emergency. When a sitting president invokes a law from 1798 (which was used during wartime) to deport immigrants to a barbaric prison out of the country without due process of law, red flags should signal the end of democracy. After losing the 2020 election, Donald Trump had four years to prepare and plan his horrific goal of destroying all freedoms of the American people. He admires the governments of Russia and North Korea, where citizens are submissive and oppressed. He has an uncanny fascination with military parades, which exude power and strength.

His total lack of empathy and respect for fellow human beings is sickening. In the grand scheme of things, Trump wants to be king and retain power until his last breath. Loyalty to him is demanded and expected. Will we allow him to seize control of our country, which the founders so diligently and meticulously safeguarded? The United States of America cannot tolerate four years of Trump’s despicable disregard of the rule of law. We need to form coalitions based on truth and justice to preserve our country. Diversity, equity, and inclusion should be welcoming words. They do not need to be feared or challenged in a free society.

Carol A. Pasquarello, Philadelphia

A college degree is an honor given in recognition of academic achievement that has merit aligned with the values of the university or college. Many recipients magnify that institution’s reputation by going on to make valuable contributions to society. When a recipient acts in complete contradiction to those values, maybe it’s time for the institution to withdraw the honor of that degree. Just as the Trump administration has seen fit to take away visas and green cards for college students, claiming the recipients were acting against the values of the United States, so, too, can the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School salvage some of its reputation by withdrawing Trump’s degree, and Yale could do likewise for JD Vance.

Phoebe Sheftel, Bryn Mawr

It saddens me — though it does not surprise me — to see many white people reacting negatively to Solomon Jones’ recent column about the “Hands Off!” march. Jones rightly asserted that it’s time for white people to take the lead in fighting back against the current administration’s tyranny. Black people have already carried this burden for far too long. White supremacy — whether upheld actively or passively — brought us here. Trump’s election is a product of systems built on the exploitation of Black labor and the suppression of Black lives. These systems continue today in the form of disinvestment, overpolicing, and barriers to advancement for Black and brown communities. Yet, we continue to expect those most harmed to do the heavy lifting. That is neither fair nor sustainable.

As a white person, I agree with Jones: The responsibility now lies with us. We must confront our roles in these systems and stand in true solidarity with Black, brown, and immigrant communities — not just in sentiment, but in real, collective action. This is also about class. Working people — regardless of race — are being divided by a wealthy few who benefit from our disunity. We must unite and organize for an equitable future. Let those who’ve fought for generations rest. It’s time for white people to show up, do the work, and help carry the load.

Carrie Rathmann, Philadelphia, [email protected]

In a country and city with some of the highest rates of postpartum maternal deaths due (in part) to lack of access to healthcare, the idea of some pampered mothers spending $1,100 a night ($3,500 with personal doula service) at a “luxury postpartum retreat” disturbs me no end. I am a pediatrician, and realize that not spending that money will not help poor mothers get care — unless those wealthier moms decide to donate to a local organization rather than get massages while a doula watches the baby — but it still speaks volumes to the values in our society.

Barbara Gold, Philadelphia

It is incredible to me that Donald Trump claims one of the reasons he has discontinued funding to certain colleges is because he is concerned about how they address (or don’t address) antisemitism on their campuses. When did he become so concerned about this issue? Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence was set on fire, and Trump has yet to contact the governor about this. Condemn the action? Call out the person who did this? Acknowledge it could have been far worse, resulting in injury or loss of life? Hypocritical? That doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Barbara Kotzin, Cheltenham

When I read the recent scathing rebuke of columnist Jenice Armstrong and her husband, I was frankly stunned that the letter saw print. The writer’s rebuke is replete with the kind of seething self-righteousness that defines today’s political and social discourse. The Armstrongs’ decision to keep their Tesla no more reflects support for Elon Musk than does the absolute cornucopia of Chinese-made products in the letter writer’s home reflect his support for the slaughter of Uyghurs by the Xi regime.

Furthermore, it should go without saying that selling a used Tesla inflicts no form of financial hardship on Musk. All it would do is satisfy the demand for meaningless virtue signaling that people like the writer seem to demand of others. Perhaps he would prefer the Armstrongs light the vehicle on fire in Rittenhouse Square? My advice is simple: You do you. The vehicle one chooses to drive is not a reflection of their core values. It’s a mode of transportation, often chosen for economic as well as personal reasons. For people who excuse damaging other people’s property to demonstrate their own moral superiority? Get a life.

Kenneth Rayca, Cinnaminson

It’s never a good sign when a column begins with a deflection, as did Jenice Armstrong’s defense of put upon Tesla owners. “My husband and I bought a Tesla Model 3 in 2018, before I knew much about Elon Musk.” Given that many of Musk and Tesla’s unsavory behaviors were already public record by 2018 (including that year’s Thailand cave boys “pedo guy” incident), isn’t it more accurate to say they chose to make their purchase despite Musk and Tesla’s record?

This is the same excuse-making Trump vote-regretters use to absolve themselves of the choice they made despite all the unsavory things on record about him before they voted. Armstrong and her husband could have bought a Chevy Volt, but instead chose to go for status, and were willing to look past Musk and Tesla’s failings to get it. To be clear, Tesla owners should not be targets of aggression, period. They also shouldn’t be wailing waifs about the decisions they now have to live with. They bought a car and enriched and emboldened a jerk, and regardless of whether they did it willfully or ignorantly, that was the choice they made. Now they should own it.

Dan Donaghy, Arlington, Va.

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