Opinion | Walking as a Cure for What Ails Us

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To the Editor:

Re “Regardless of the Drawback, It’s In all probability Solved by Strolling,” by Andrew McCarthy (Opinion visitor essay, March 26):

I can’t quibble with Mr. McCarthy’s observations that strolling is a form of treatment for what ails us. He’s preaching to the choir in my case, since I stroll lots.

However I ponder if he’s printed this essay within the improper publication. He ought to contemplate one which caters to municipal officers and city planners who could possibly counter the results of greater than half a century of suburbanization, which, in America at the very least, has decreased the variety of locations the place strolling is pleasurable and even attainable.

As Rebecca Solnit, whom he cites, sadly remarked in her seminal guide, “Wanderlust: A Historical past of Strolling”: “The suburbs made strolling ineffective transportation inside their expanses, however the suburbanization of the American thoughts has made strolling more and more uncommon even when it’s efficient.”

Jeanne Bonner
West Hartford, Conn.

To the Editor:

Regardless of the adage “golf is an efficient stroll spoiled,” my mom loved the restorative qualities of sauntering the 4 miles for every 18-hole spherical. When some programs started to require gamers to make use of and pay for a cart, my mom nonetheless refused to experience. She hiked subsequent to the others within the cart.

Strolling fairly than using allowed her for just a few hours to neglect her traumatic childhood, rising up in an orphanage due to poverty. Mother claimed, “Golf is my psychiatrist’s sofa.” She gained many tournaments, performed into her 90s and clocked numerous miles.

Sweet Schulman
New York

To the Editor:

Till not too long ago, I might have agreed one hundred pc with Andrew McCarthy that strolling cures plenty of ills. I moved into Middle Metropolis, Philadelphia, so I might surrender my automotive and stroll to work, to meals buying, to eating places and practically in all places else.

That modified about two months in the past once I fractured my hip. Relegated to crutches after which a cane, I began seeing the world from an entire totally different perspective. I noticed folks in wheelchairs and others for whom the phrase “stroll” is however a reminiscence or a dream.

Mr. McCarthy wrote about discovering “the facility of ambling” whereas on a visit to Spain. I’m now by myself journey to Spain, and whereas I can get round properly sufficient, I’ve change into extra cognizant of obstacles to those that can’t stroll. Little issues like slender or tough sidewalks, “quaint” cobblestones, and absent or inadequate ramps.

Largely, I’ve discovered it fascinating how walkers deal with those that can’t stroll — or can’t stroll in addition to them. I’ve appreciated the occasional holding of a door or the one who simply offers me a bit extra room. However I’ve been puzzled by the pitying appears to be like. I’m not much less of an individual as a result of I can’t get round as properly. Largely I’ve been irritated by how many individuals deal with me as if I’m the impediment.

So sure, strolling can clear up plenty of ills — however bear in mind those that can’t get round in addition to you.

David M. Scolnic
Seville, Spain

To the Editor:

Re “Out of Jail, Trying to find a Place to Stay,” by John J. Lennon (Actual Property, March 26):

The housing points for the previously incarcerated returning to New York that Mr. Lennon raises are precisely what these coming again to a different costly area face — the San Francisco Bay Space. Mr. Lennon shares an uncomfortable fact: Hundreds of individuals launched from jail find yourself in shelters, exacerbating the homelessness disaster.

I used to be a fortunate one. After a 15-year sentence, I attended a Bay Space transitional housing program — my protected place to land — however shortly realized how a lot the re-entry housing expertise could possibly be improved.

Whereas housing vouchers are a great possibility, nothing is simpler than a robust re-entry program with holistic programming. Re-entry applications can present folks the talents wanted to earn sufficient to pay for market-price housing, scale back the recidivism fee and put folks on a path to turning into productive members of society.

California is on the forefront of the re-entry motion. The state not too long ago awarded the group I lead $28.5 million to fund a first-of-its-kind re-entry program serving to people jump-start tech-focused careers. Our governor additionally not too long ago introduced that California will probably be turning San Quentin right into a rehabilitation middle centered on training, coaching and re-entry.

Different states, together with New York, ought to comply with California’s lead and give attention to re-entry applications. Our communities will probably be stronger for it.

Terah Lawyer-Harper
Oakland, Calif.
The author is government director of Creating Restorative Alternatives and Applications (CROP).

To the Editor:

John J. Lennon’s highly effective firsthand account reveals the widespread boundaries people looking for housing face after launch from jail. The piece rightly highlights a proposal that might assist tremendously: the Housing Entry Voucher Program.

This program would offer vouchers to folks dealing with eviction or homelessness, and because the writer factors out, it might even be out there to folks being launched from jail — who’re sometimes excluded from many authorities help and inexpensive housing applications. This makes their uphill battle to rebuild their lives after incarceration even steeper.

Legislators should pair this new device with higher funding for enforcement of supply of revenue discrimination, which incorporates denying housing as a result of one’s revenue comes not from a paycheck however from authorities help, baby help or different sources. This can be a persistent drawback throughout New York State and one which challenges voucher-holders no matter their historical past with the legal justice system.

All New Yorkers deserve a protected and inexpensive dwelling. We and a broad coalition of organizations, from actual property homeowners to tenant advocates, urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to fund the Housing Entry Voucher Program within the upcoming state funds to make sure that the 1000’s of New Yorkers like Mr. Lennon can entry a steady dwelling after they’ve paid their debt to the general public.

Baaba Halm
New York
The author is vp and New York market chief for Enterprise Neighborhood Companions.

To the Editor:

Re “A Ban on a Movie Is a Ban on American Historical past,” by Charles M. Blow (column, March 30):

The censorship occurring in Florida faculties is a harmful assault on training and free speech. How can youngsters obtain an ample training if something {that a} father or mother objects to is banned?

After I was in elementary college, we have been taught about historical past, even when it meant acknowledging racism or hardships confronted by minority teams, and we have been higher knowledgeable rising up due to it. To ban a Disney film — one thing fully acceptable for kids — as a result of it refers to racism does nothing however hurt the kid.

Maybe Florida dad and mom ought to begin objecting from the opposite facet, as Mr. Blow suggests. If media depicting racism is banned, the place is the ban on Thanksgiving, or on the white founding fathers, or on any slave-owning historic determine? After all, none of this could moderately be banned from dialogue within the classroom, however Florida rule makers needs to be pressured to think about the implications of their actions.

We now have an ethical obligation to face up towards what’s being accomplished in Florida.

Amanda Lavery
Boston