Before you support Rep. Kidwell’s bill on teaching civics and history, know his background | Opinion

Rep. Kidwell’s bill

Rep. Keith Kidwell might insist, as he did in 2021, that his long-standing allegiance to the Oath Keepers is none of the public’s business. But when I saw the March 18 N&O article about Kidwell’s proposed bill requiring history and civics courses for college students, I had to disagree.

Of course, students and all of us should be familiar with the Constitution and other primary documents of our democracy. But if North Carolinians must suffer a high-minded civics lecture from the likes of Kidwell, let’s make sure they also know about his association with a paramilitary group that wanted to hang our vice president and take down our constitutional government.

Bruce Siceloff, Chapel Hill

Wake election

A significant change for electing Wake County commissioners is moving almost unnoticed through the N.C. General Assembly. It will change current countywide voting for seven commissioners to elections where residents within each district vote for only one commissioner.

When Wake Republican Rep. Erin Paré introduced her proposal in February, commissioners were angry and said they were taken by surprise. But they quickly agreed to a “compromise” that adds two new commissioners to be elected at-large. Because Rep. Paré had the backing of the Republican legislature to impose her plan, the “agreement” looks more like a surrender.

County residents deserved an opportunity to consider alternatives that might better serve voters, candidates and elected commissioners. For example, ranked-choice voting combines the best of district and at-large elections without sacrificing the benefits of either.

It would assure commissioners have majority support without the cost of primaries or post-election runoffs. Instead, a change the public was given no role in shaping is being imposed from outside.

Lee Mortimer, Durham

UNC and politics

Regarding “‘Mr. Gettysburg? I don’t know him.’ History, civics could be made mandatory at NC colleges” (March 16):

Decisions on what to include in a college level curriculum should be made by faculty members, not by legislators with narrow political agendas — however sensible the agenda might seem.

House Bill 96 is the latest example of efforts by Republicans in the state legislature to inject politics into the running of the UNC System. The damage is already apparent. The incident involving Nicole Hannah-Jones’ tenure seriously compromised UNC-Chapel Hill’s ability to recruit other professors of color in the social sciences.

As author of a college guide that informs out-of-state students about UNC-CH and other state universities, I wonder how talented potential applicants will feel about attending a university where the core curriculum is shaped by politicians rather than faculty.

Efforts by Gov. Ron DeSantis to politicize higher education in Florida are already undermining the academic integrity of that state’s universities. Let’s hope North Carolina does not follow suit and weaken an institution that has been at the heart of the state’s economic and cultural strengths for more than a century.

Edward B. Fiske, Chapel Hill

Raleigh rezoning

Regarding “Will Raleigh’s oldest house soon be dwarfed by a 20-story building downtown?” (March 18):

A concern voiced about the proposed rezoning on Hargett Street in Raleigh is that a taller adjacent structure may cast shadows on the Joel Lane house. Preservationists can relax. The streetscapes of great cities like New York, Boston and London all integrate centuries-old buildings alongside contemporary high-rises — a lovely architectural contrast reminding us that history marches on.

Given the land’s proximity to downtown offices, a grocery store and a future transit hub, it is difficult to imagine a better location for high-rise development in Raleigh. This is an opportunity to significantly increase the housing supply downtown and reduce car dependence. Surely these benefits outweigh concerns about hypothetical shadows.

Nicholas Woomer-Deters, Raleigh

Biden disappoints

With the election of President Biden many Progressive Democrats like me had hoped that policies such as putting families in cages at the border, drilling for oil in protected land (such as the Willow project), and the dangers of disregarding climate change would would be addressed. To my dismay, under Democratic leadership, with Biden at the head, we have continued in the Trump direction. Unfortunately, we have gotten only softer talk but the same shortsighted actions.

Janie Freeman, Chapel Hill

Abortion pill

Gov. Cooper is right to urge pharmacy chains like Walgreens, CVS and Walmart to disclose how they’ll dispense mifepristone, an FDA approved drug that’s been safely used in the U.S. and worldwide for at least 20 years. Pharmacies are part of a complex healthcare system. Those that choose to adhere to the unjust restrictions on women’s healthcare are failing the patients and physicians who rely on them to dispense medication. Why isn’t this huge and necessary part of the health care partnership fighting for its customers and patients instead of bowing to the threats of partisan politicians?

Gerrie Richards, Chapel Hill