LETTERS from Readers
We don't have that problem here — Healdsburg Responds (Racicm in Healdsburg, July 2020 Gazette)
I have written many articles in the P.D. about how our fellow citizens are treated. I grew up in San Francisco and everyone in my neighborhood was treated with respect, no matter your ethnicity. It was vibrant and lively because it was so diverse.
I have seen racism in this county on every level and it still shocks me to hear these stories. In fact, I'm disgusted at the hate-mongers who are using the President's playbook to incite what was hidden for years. I never believed the hate went away, just underground.
To all and every fellow citizen, documented or not, I thank you for being an important part of our community. To others, please give everyone a smile and a nod; I promise you that you will get that in return and it will go a long way to making you a better person.
By the way, to the young lady whose name is America, my Mom was named that at birth by her Italian father was so honored to be part of a new life here. Everything about empathy and respect came from her and my Dad. ~ Sharon Colosi
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I recently visited Healdsburg and I have to say that I haven’t been to such a backwards town since I was little (traveling through the mid west). I did not see a single African American, or any other ethnic group reflective of real world demographics, other than Hispanic. All I saw were Caucasians. Not exactly cosmopolitan.
I would have thought the very industry that draws tourists to that town would produce a more enlightened and educated society. Unfortunately, they seem to perpetuate the ignorance and hate as many winery owners support the current administration (Jordan Winery).
I certainly did not feel welcome with all the dirty looks, and rude service (if I even received it!).
The schools there obviously fall short on education, particularly in cultural diversity (it’s because I grew up with people from all over the world that I learned about other cultures which broke down barriers). Racism is taught, we are not born with the trait.
Your statement, “Racism shows up in white people’s inability to see, acknowledge, and talk about white privilege...” is spot on.
All you have to do is read the vitriol on any of Healdsburg’s social media pages. Even local “influencers” had the audacity to post support for anti-racism (clearly for optics),posting the same exact platitudes as everyone else in their sphere, but with no sincerity. They (all white) did not want to discuss the topic...in spite of their posts stating the contrary.
Whether Healdsburg cares, or not, the outside world sees you and judges you (you may not think that’s important, but the reality is Healdsburg is a town that relies on tourism dollars). It’s important that articles like this continue to be published, allow for dialogue, and for white people to stop being defensive and actually listen. ~ Jan Bradi
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Healdsburg might have to change its name to Karensburg.
I have lived most of my life in Sonoma County. Racism in the agriculture as well as restaurant businesses is rampant. Do the owners of these business acknowledge the work of people of color? Not often enough. Healdsburg city council show out of touch they are to what actually happens. Shame on them. ~ Daniel Cortez
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Point Reyes Seashore
If Peter Prunuske cares to defend the continuation of ranching in the Point Reyes National Seashore, he would do well to check his facts and his math.
He states Johne’s Disease has NOT been found in cattle, when numerous sources from Wikipedia to National Animal Health Monitoring studies confirm that Johne’s disease is a chronic infection in dairy herds throughout the U.S. A 1979 study documented the presence of Johne's disease in 5 of 10 dairy herds tested at Point Reyes. Though there has been no recent testing of the Point Reyes livestock, the infection has been spreading nationally and there is no reason to think that Point Reyes cattle have been spared or cured.
Mr. Prunuske also states that this disease is NOT transferable to humans, but the medical research community is divided on this issue. According to the Johne’s Information Center at the University of Wisconsin, the link between the bacterium and Crohn’s disease remains scientifically controversial, but there is a significant evidence that Crohn’s may be caused by the bacterium. The Johnes Center also states that contaminated water from dairy operations is a potential source of human infection, and though Mr. Prunuske says water pollution is being reduced by the ranchers, which is not backed by any recent evidence, the common practice of liquifying manure to spray on fields for fertilizer certainly could only serve to spread the infection.