These letters will appear in the Sunday, Aug. 20 edition of the Las Cruces Sun-News.

The importance of speaking out

All women, men of color, and folks in the queer community have historically been and continue to be harmed by the nuances of silencing. Men of privilege, and the courts they created, viewed disagreement and interpersonal harm as something to be kept hidden from public view, and from public knowledge. This includes domestic violence and marital rape, which until 1976 was legal in all states. The last states made spousal rape illegal in 1993, with New Mexico signing a law in 1991. Many states have loopholes and new laws which still deem women and trans folks incapable of bodily autonomy. However, vocal and public rage is leading to change.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

This silencing has also become rampant in workplaces as “professional” norms which are built from and intertwined with white patriarchal ideals. For instance, until the passing of the Crown Act in 2021, employers in New Mexico could discriminate against Black women and other women of color simply for their natural hair. Another outdated and harmful ideal is that disagreements and bad behavior should only be discussed behind closed doors, and never in written form. This type of silencing and secrecy serves to protect evildoers by isolating victims, often creating an environment for gaslighting with counternarratives of “if it actually happened, why didn’t you speak out?”

In academia, a system also built by and for white men, the concept of silencing is especially pervasive and well-researched. The legacy of disagreeing only in private protects predators and allows problem behaviors to fester and thrive throughout institutions. In order to dismantle systemic wrongs, we have to openly and frequently discuss them. There is no shame in bringing concerns to all tables. Open discussion is a hallmark of democracy. Secrecy and speaking with one voice even when that view isn’t shared by all is coercive and disrespectful of civil rights. Through community problem-solving, respectful conversation, and awareness, we can improve the future of education. All our voices are important. Speak out!

Jessica Schulz, Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership & Administration

Susan Beck, Professor, NMSU Library, Reference and Research Services

Ethics code needed

The American public is rightfully appalled by repeated current ethical failures by members of the U.S. Supreme Court so I encourage Congress to pass legislation forcing Justices to comply with a stringent ethics code. Members of the highest judiciary in the land simply cannot be allowed to ever be compromised.Thankfully there is a current legislative proposal to pass such a code S.325, the Supreme Court Ethics Act, cosponsored by both New Mexico Senators Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich . In the words of Senator Heinrich, “This bill would direct the Judicial Conference of the United States, the national policy-making body for the federal courts, to issue a code of conduct for all federal judges and justices, including those on the Supreme Court. Currently, the Judicial Conference issues a code of conduct for all federal judges, but not for Supreme Court justices. I agree with you that it is inappropriate that Supreme Court justices do not abide by the same code of conduct as the rest of the federal judiciary, which is why I am proud to have cosponsored the Supreme Court Ethics Act.”I am very pleased by the current legislative proposal and Congressional hearings on these matters and hope they bear fruit in the form of this or other stringent ethics legislation that becomes law and binding on these Justices. The public should write the President, Senators, and Congresspersons and tell them that they support this legislation because it is only by public outcry and involvement in this vital issue that we can ensure the fairness and impartiality of our Supreme Court and that it is never again compromised.Mr. Tom Reavey Jr, MBA, Las Cruces

Preventing youth suicides

As part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Community Walks, I will be walking on Sept. 9, 2023 at Young Park to promote the importance of suicide prevention. I won’t be walking alone. I will be joined by many who share my dedication. In 2022, over 420 Out of the Darkness Walks took place in communities and on campuses across the United States, attended by over 80,000 dedicated people who share my passion. Our movement is growing.

Like many, I walk because suicide has affected me personally. In February 2018, I lost my nephew to depression and anxiety by the means of suicide. Since then, I have dedicated my time to educating others about suicide prevention and mental health.

Our goal is to spread awareness of what is currently a leading cause of death in the U.S., and let others know they are not alone. Please help us ensure that mental health is looked upon with equal importance to physical health, and continue to bring hope to those affected by suicide. Join me in this walk. We need you – together we can stop suicide.

Please register for the free walk at afsp.org/lascruces.

Robyn Rehbein-Narvaez

Las Cruces Out of the Darkness Walk Chair

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Letters to the Editor: Making space for all voices in NM academia