To the Editor:
Elizabeth Floyd Mair’s letter [“A platform for censoring teachers”] of April 28 calls upon “anyone interested in ensuring that Guilderland’s children grow into well-educated, open-minded, compassionate adults [to] vote in the May 17 election.”

I whole-heartedly agree. But I don’t see how the content and tone of the letter sets a good example of being well-educated about people’s ideas, open-minded about those ideas, and compassionate in engaging with those ideas.

The information in the letter is wholly insufficient for anyone to decide who to vote for — the candidates attacked or the candidates supported. And it should not prejudice anyone in their investigation of the candidates.

A few quotes out of context without references. Facile categorizations. Inadequate evidence. Selective reporting. Guilt or praise by identity or association. Subtle ridicule. Hyperbole. These are the kinds of things infecting our politics, our media, and our relationships.

They are the things our schools should be inoculating our students against. And they are contrary to the spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

So in deciding on who to vote for, I urge everyone to get well-educated about the issues and the candidates; to stay open-minded about ideas that are new or different from yours; and to be compassionate towards all these candidates who have the courage to step up, tell you who they really are, say what they really think, respect their opponents, and do the work they feel called to do.

Andrew R. Genovese 

Guilderland

Editor’s note: The Enterprise has printed and posted profiles of each candidate along with a video of all 10 answering issues-based questions, and an article reporting on the formation of two slates and on the two candidates’ forums so far. The Guilderland PTA Council is hosting a third forum on May 9 at 6 p.m. that will be live-streamed