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New eatery offers taste
of indigenous culture
I’m so happy for the debut of Wahpepah’s Kitchen (“Native American restaurant debuts,” Page A1, Nov. 29). Behind the success of this restaurant may be countless previous attempts of native people trying to share their culinary traditions.
The restaurant’s opening in Oakland is a giant step for Native American cuisine to be appreciated by more people. I’ve never agreed with the idea that Native American cultures “appear” in mainstream society. The cultures of native people have always existed from the past to the present, and what we need to do is to learn, to respect, and to listen to their representations that have been ignored by many of us.
Haowen Wu
Pleasanton
Pedestrians have
role in safe streets
I just read Micky Duxbury’s opinion about improving Alameda safety for pedestrians (“Supervisor Chan’s death shows risks walking across streets,” Page A6, Nov. 23). What’s missing is addressing pedestrian safety ownership.
There are multiple steps a pedestrian can take when walking after dusk to reduce invisibility. Alameda is home to many citizens with dogs that get walked during commute hours. For the safety of all, it’s incumbent upon the pedestrian to take steps to make both visible to motorists.
That means lighted vests and collars for the dogs and vests and headlamps for pedestrians. These are all readily available. Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter also should be involved. Intersections with pedestrian-controlled flashing lights are a huge plus. They can be seen for blocks. Also, the Naval Air Station is a far safer area. A new park, open airfield and roads with little traffic are some of the advantages.
By all means, improve motorist safety but don’t overlook the responsibility of the pedestrian.
Helen Jefferson
Alameda
Take humane approach
to homeless problem
For decades, communities, counties and the state have spent countless hours and money trying to “fix” the homeless (now called unhoused) dilemma. Encampments have been uprooted with people and families temporarily displaced only to return or relocate shortly thereafter.
A common sense and compassionate response (such as seen in Santa Cruz) is the provision of a portable hand-washing station, toilet, shower and garbage receptacles in each safe clearing. While this does not permanently fix the complex problem of physical and mental illness, addiction, poverty and inadequate resources, providing respectful, hygienic and cost-effective means to care about people and address basic human needs is a meaningful step forward.
Ann Levy
Alameda
Endless abortion debate
distracts troubled nation
The conservative justices of the U.S. Supreme Court appear poised to do an enormous disservice to this country. The existential threats to our country and way of life involve the climate, economy and aggressive foreign adversaries.
With all these vast issues facing this country, it is utterly insane that since 1973 — almost half a century — a litmus test for all of our national candidates, congressional or president, is whether they support or oppose Roe v. Wade. Whether you oppose or support it, Roe provides a clear standard concerning abortion. If it is watered down, no such standard will exist. Tragically, legislation, litigation and debate on the issue will be endless, and candidates will continue to be defined by it.
Over the details of this one narrow issue, our focus and energies will continue to be drained from matters of far greater consequence to our nation and the world.
Eliot Hudson
Lafayette
Repeal 2nd Amendment
to save childrens’ lives
The latest school shooting in Michigan should be another in a long line of wake-up calls for sane gun controls.
From daily killings in Oakland to massacres of young school children, it is high time we move to rescind the Second Amendment, an archaic remnant from a bygone era. The court’s interpretation of the amendment in D.C. vs Heller was overly broad. Even Justice John Paul Stevens asserted that the court’s decision “fails to identify any new evidence supporting the view that the Amendment was intended to limit the power of Congress to regulate civilian uses of weapons.”
It is clear that assuming everyone will use a gun responsibly is naive at best and socially irresponsible at worst. It is time to rescind the Second Amendment. Contact your legislators now.
Robert Thomas
Castro Valley
Source: www.mercurynews.com