I used to be intrigued by Danny Westneat’s column about excused and unexcused absences at Seattle-area faculties. (“If you’re playing hooky — for a parade or a protest — do it up right,” Feb. 11.) I’ve no robust opinions concerning the parade query (although it’s humorous to notice that my 14-year-old son’s absence for this
12 months’s parade was marked “excused”). What does shock me, although, is an area Catholic faculty marking college students’ absences unexcused for leaving faculty to talk out in opposition to unjust immigration raids. Catholic leaders all over the world and right here within the U.S. have been clear and united in reminding us that treating all people with dignity and welcoming migrants and refugees are on the coronary heart of Catholic Social Educating. Certainly, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, N.J., not too long ago referred to as on Catholics to make use of their voices and say “No” to the unjust and inhumane immigration raids happening in our nation. If I led a Catholic faculty, I wouldn’t simply excuse scholar absences for protesting in opposition to this injustice, I might be a part of them on the entrance traces.
Yancy Hughes Dominick, Seattle
