Letters

First class

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

One recent afternoon, I had the great pleasure of speaking to Miss Horne’s fifth grade class over at Mount Rose K-8 Academy of Languages, conveniently located just three blocks from the RN&R office. My stepdaughters attend elementary school there—including Josephine, who’s in Miss Horne’s class— and I was there to describe my job to the class for career day. It was a hoot.

I’ve taught some university courses the last few years, and talking to fifth graders is both remarkably similar and distinctly different from teaching undergrads. The fifth graders are much quicker to shoot their hands up with enthusiastic questions.

One student told me that he reads the paper every week, which was nice to hear. I’m not always sure we’re reaching that younger demographic.

“I saw a cartoon in there that was all about making fun of Donald Trump,” said one boy sitting near the front. “Who gets to do that job?” He was grinning hopefully, like I might hire him on the spot.

“Does Josephine like to read the paper?” asked one girl.

I replied that she did, especially when I wrote about her. And I promised the class that the RN&R was their source for all the local news, arts reporting, and all the latest gossip about Josephine.

She later suggested that I be sure to write about my visit to the class, so that she could tell her classmates, “Be sure to check out the Brad Bynum section of the Are Inn And Are.”

Anyway, it was a real pleasure to visit the class, and I want to thank Miss Horne for having me, and the students for tolerating me.

And here it is: Despite repeated admonishments over the weekend, Josephine still needs to clean her room. It looks like a disaster area in there.

—Brad Bynum bradb@newsreview.com

Holland buses

Re “Buses taking ‘locals’ to Tesla” (Erik Holland cartoon, Feb. 16):

I was a little surprised that you would publish Erik Holland’s cartoon depicting buses full of, what I assume are, based upon his fake Asian characters in the speech bubbles, Asian immigrants. Although I believe in free speech, to publish such a cartoon without empirical substantiation is questionable.

This cartoon propagates a notion that is based upon his own observations or beliefs. If it is based upon empirical evidence, it should be stated somewhere. However, if it is not, as a source of news and information, you are promoting “alternative facts” and xenophobia. This is a problem, as people that are uneducated or uniformed may assume the cartoon to be conveying “truth.”

Just because the artist is a famous local, does not mean that his opinions should not be based upon reality.

Eric Lin Reno

Re “Buses taking ‘locals’ to Tesla” (Erik Holland cartoon, Feb. 16):

To whom it may concern, RN&R’s most recent edition had an image created by artist Erik Holland that I found quite offensive. The political cartoon showed a bus taking “local” workers to Tesla, and the text was an abhorrent attempt at writing Chinese characters.

I work at two different Chinese restaurants part time while at the University of Nevada, Reno studying for my masters. Having such contact with the Chinese community in Reno, I have had the pleasure of meeting many of the workers through my work that actually have been hired by Tesla. I do not know a single one that is not an American citizen. I find Erik’s picture xenophobic, ignorant, and uninformed. I see no point in ostracizing a part of our community in such a way, and think that it is unfortunate that such dialogue has been included in what otherwise is a journal quite aware of the diversity we have in our community.

Although I understand that Erik is absolutely entitled to his opinions, I felt that I must voice my disapproval at what I consider an absolutely racist cartoon.

Sean Bryant Reno

Demands

Re “Inclusion and tolerance” (letters, Feb. 9):

This is in regard to Ryan Budman’s letter. I don’t have a problem with legal immigration to our country. What I do have a problem with is illegal immigration to our country. I have issues with a person who comes over illegally and then demands services and benefits that I would never be able to receive because I would be told I make too much money. I have an issue with someone who comes to our country but refuses to learn English and then demands that I learn Spanish or their native language. And no one has a right to come into our country. It is a privilege. But like the writer of the letter I am commenting on, it seems they lump all immigration in to one big pot.

Again, I have no problem with someone who wants to come to this country legally and then works hard to learn our language and way of life. I do have issues with illegal immigration. Robert Henri Reno

Correction

Re: “Core values” (Musicbeat, Feb. 23):

The article incorrectly stated that Alton Sterling was killed by the New Orleans police department. It was the Baton Rouge police department. In addition, Fall Silent broke up in 2003, not 2007.

ERIK HOLLAND

Our Mission: To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. Editor Brad Bynum News Editor Dennis Myers Special Projects Editor Jeri Chadwell-Singley Arts Editor Kris Vagner Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Contributors Amy Alkon, Matt Bieker, Bob Grimm, Anna Hart, Ashley Hennefer, Shelia Leslie, Josie Luciano, Eric Marks, Jessica Santina, Todd South, Marc Tiar, Brendan Trainor, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young Design Manager Lindsay Trop Creative Director Serene Lusano Art Director Margaret Larkin Marketing/Publications Designer Sarah Hansel Production Coordinator Skyler Smith Designer Kyle Shine Sales Manager Emily Litt RN&R Rainmaker Gina Odegard Advertising Consultants Brit Johnson, Myranda Keeley Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Manager/Operations Coordinator Kelly Miller Distribution Assistant and Driver Jennifer Cronin Distribution Drivers Alex Barskyy, Bob Christensen, Debbie Frenzi, Gary White, Jennifer Gangestad, Lori Ashley, Lori DeAndreis, Marty Lane, Marty Troye, Patrick L’Angelle, Tracy Breeden, Vicki Jewell

President/CEO Jeff VonKaenel Director of Nuts & Bolts Deborah Redmond Executive Coordinator Carlyn Asuncion Project Coordinator Natasha VonKaenel Director of People & Culture David Stogner Director of Dollars & Sense Nicole Jackson Payroll/AP Wizard Miranda Dargitz Sweetdeals Coordinator Courtney DeShields Developer John Bisignano, Jonathan Schultz System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins N&R Publications Editor Michelle Carl N&R Publications Associate Editor Kate Gonzales N&R Publications Writer Anne Stokes

Cover Design: Brian Breneman and Meg Larkin 405 Marsh Ave., Third Floor, Reno, NV 89509 Phone (775) 324-4440 Fax (775) 324-2515 Website www.newsreview.com Got a News Tip? Fax (775) 324-2515 Calendar Events www.newsreview.com/calendar Want to Advertise? Fax (775) 324-2515 or rnradinfo@newsreview.com Classified Fax (916) 498-7910 or classifieds@newsreview.com Job Opportunities jobs@newsreview.com Want to Subscribe to RN&R? renosubs@newsreview.com

Editorial Policies: Opinions expressed in rn&r are those of the authors and not of Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact the editor for permissions to reprint articles, cartoons, or other portions of the paper. rn&r is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or review materials. Email letters to rnrletters@ newsreview.com. all letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form and to edit them for libel.

Advertising Policies: all advertising is subject to the newspaper’s Standards of acceptance. The advertiser and not the newspaper assumes the responsibility for the truthful content of their advertising message.

rn&r is printed at Sierra nevada media on recycled newsprint. Circulation of rn&r is verified by the Circulation Verification Council. rn&r is a member of CnPa, aan and aWn.