We Didn’t Expect These Signs of Hope

I read your article on these amazing young women (“Women Archers Open Fire on Indian Caste,” Aug. 13). I can't do much from across the world, but I was wondering how I could donate to help them reach their goals?

Dana M., Crockett, California

Thank you for the story on the young Indian women training in archery. I think I learned more about India in that one article than I learned at any time in school.

Jan B., Little Rock, Arkansas

I am so very proud of these young women who are persevering despite the huge odds against them.

Kamal S., Felicity, Trinidad

The U.S. foregoing the need to control narratives and stifle Caribbean economies is perhaps the strongest thing that can be done to help in the long term (“Haiti Is at War,” Aug. 14). A concerted effort to choke off the continuous gun shipments would go far to tamp down these gangs. France should be made to return the ransom it forced from the country, with interest, and as cash — with the involvement of CARICOM to help Haiti figure out how best to make use of the funds. No American or European country should have any decision-making influence over those funds. They should be returned, full stop.

Scott, New York

Send in NATO!

John Y., Charlotte, North Carolina

Thank you for a very well-detailed and researched article. The picture you are painting is indeed bleak, and it shares many characteristics of other failed states. Before reading your article, I had little understanding about how disastrous and rampant the violence truly is. I am wondering whether bringing more attention to the situation by partnering with influential organizations would help — Human Rights Watch, perhaps?

Beatrix D., Toronto, Canada

The good people of Haiti will get tired of the nonsense and will rise up … or not. But it needs to be their choice and, other than food and medicine, the rest of the world needs to stay out of it.

Debbie D., Eagle, Idaho

All development of this scale (“Mexico’s Runaway Train,” Aug. 23) brings both progress and destruction. In the U.S., vast areas of land are being claimed for solar panels and windmills. The people impacted by some of these land grabs are left in the lurch, as their concerns are outweighed by the carbon reduction goals behind this alternative energy. OZY needs to present both sides of the debate before asking for an opinion.

Stan K., New Rochelle, New York

As one of the founding members of the Centro Ecológico Akumal, we have been fighting to preserve as much of the Yucatán’s biodiversity as possible, despite the government’s indifference to the environmental damage caused by poor water management, poor wastewater disposal, destruction of mangroves, overfishing and coral destruction. The area, much like the Amazon, is an extremely delicate one, and destruction of habitat, disregard for science, overdevelopment and greed has caused immense harm. Sustainable development is possible, but only if corruption and greed are eliminated.

Marvin B., Medford Lakes, New Jersey

All societies change with the passage of time. I believe the positives of the train construction will outweigh the negatives.

John B., Dyersville, Iowa

What systems do you have in place to prevent your editors’ cultural biases from coloring the stories that make it to publication and thus contributing to misinformation in the media?

Greg P., Austin, Texas

Editor’s Note: This is a great question. Multiple editors review each story, with the copy editor checking facts. But we’re not perfect, and we continually strive to do better. Thanks to all our readers who write in to share their perspectives — and who let us know when we’ve gotten something wrong!

on The Carlos Watson Show!

I teach 2-year-olds and I noticed a change in developmental stages in many children last year due to COVID-19 (“Help Preschoolers Adapt, Post-Covid,” July 18). Language skills are the main change. I think a lot of them sat in front of the TV while parents worked online or helped older siblings with school. Fortunately, all made huge gains in all areas by the end of nine months of school this past year. We lovingly say, “COVID babies are coming out!”

Maureen N.

Parents did the best they could, while trying to work from home during the pandemic, but it was difficult or impossible to be in a professional meeting on Zoom and also interact with a busy toddler who was seeking mom or dad’s attention! These kids were missing the language stimulation intrinsic to group-based preschool settings, and the impact on communication skills is now surfacing. If a child is behind developmentally, I strongly encourage parents and guardians to seek early intervention services that are federally mandated in every state. In Georgia, we have the Babies Can’t Wait program.

Terri M., Athens, Georgia

I work with teens who run a charity group that focuses on helping communities (“A Teenage Nightmare?” Aug. 21). Whether on food insecurity, literacy or loneliness, we find ways to help. Our recent venture is offering free homework help to kids in a town in Palm Beach County, Florida. What I’ve noticed most is the lack of book reading among all ages, and the library and town are becoming ghost towns — first due to COVID-19 and perhaps now due to political polarization and fear of leaving home. We hope to get these kids out and help them feel like their true selves sooner than later.

Natalie M., Palm Beach, Florida

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