Not everyone is in sync with the gay lifestyle, so I hope you are open to opposing views. I think Randy Matheson’s (Renton Reporter, April 24) elation and encouragement of the students’ Day of Silence at Renton High School is misguided. Middle schoolers in particular should not be encouraged in any sexual behavior, gay or otherwise. The district could better serve students and the public by concentrating on higher test scores and teaching respect for all people across the board. It shouldn’t have to be a “gay” thing, because there are many areas where young people clash. Straight students also have problems. What if every confrontation or negative situation that occurred had a Day of Silence? You would then have to close the schools down. The district seems to think that not receiving a flood of phone calls from the community signals approval. I think not. They may not know the full impact until election time rolls around, when my voice will be heard.

Joel Beachman. Renton

Need to speak out

While the gays were being “silent” to gain their respect, SPARS (Students and Parents Against Racial Slurs) were being vocal about our objection to the niggerology book of Huck Finn in the Renton School District. We spoke out March 25 at the district School Board meeting with a sit-in/read-in from the book, with multiple emphasis on the word “nigger.” We spoke out at the Commission on African American Affairs; we spoke out on a panel at the King County Central Library which will be pod cast on their website.

The next sit-in/read-in will include reading the same material, replacing the word “nigger” with the word “faggot,” a word considered derogatory by homosexuals. This will call attention to the district’s need to have literature containing this word in order to open dialogue and show this is a part of history that must not be ignored. Discrimination is discrimination and the district must work fervently to ensure all its students are treated with fairness and respect.

Beatrice Clark, Renton, president of SPARS