It’s disheartening to see UNC bowing to pressure to dismantle DEI | Opinion
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill community members are rightly concerned about the Oversight Project, born from the Heritage Foundation, which targeted UNC teaching materials containing such terms as DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and a variety of progressive keywords deemed objectionable.
At the same time, the university’s own Equality Policy Certification Subcommittee is dismantling any vestige of institutional support for DEI. It is disheartening to see UNC, which once stood for better things, perpetuate the demonization of DEI, a concept whose crime appears to be belief that all people deserve a fair chance.
Norman Loewenthal, former director of the Friday Center at UNC, Chapel Hill
Jackson win
Regarding state Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s victory in reinstating AmeriCorps’ funds, I would like to congratulate the bravery and sensible conviction of Jackson. There are damn few of us in recent months.
David Streifford, Chapel Hill
Keep vaccines
As a pediatrician in North Carolina for 48 years and past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, I worked with leaders to develop one of the best childhood vaccine programs in the country. It is painful to think what might happen if NC follows Florida and removes vaccine mandates.
If we do not mandate vaccines for eligible people, we will experience disease, disability and death when our vaccination rates fall below the 90% range. Vaccine-preventable diseases such as flu, COVID, measles, chicken pox/shingles and whooping cough are extremely contagious, making vaccine mandates necessary. If we remove vaccine mandates, at-risk people, particularly those with underlying chronic disease, the elderly and the disabled, will be most likely to suffer from vaccine-preventable diseases. We must assure that our vaccines are safe and effective, and develop vaccines to protect people from diseases that are deadly but untreatable with conventional antibiotics.
I have never known of a patient in our high-volume pediatric practice who suffered permanent injury or death because of a vaccine. I hope our leaders say “no” to Florida removing vaccine mandates.
David Tayloe Jr., Goldsboro
Go gondola?
In regards to the idea of a gondola in Dix Park. Wouldn’t it be cheaper, and serve more people, to recreate the old Martin St. Bridge as pedestrian? It went to the south end of Boylan Bridge, and its recreation was part of the Western Blvd. bypass plan.
Marshall Hardy, Raleigh
Medicare changes
Regarding the Aug. 28 article “Medicare will require prior approval for certain procedures,” As a student studying pre-dentistry who has volunteered in a low-income refugee community, I have witnessed stark inequalities in dental healthcare.
Access is disproportionately difficult for refugee and minority communities compared to wealthier individuals. Essential procedures like root canal treatments, implants and crowns are often too costly while being critical for individuals’ quality of life and even survival.
I strongly oppose the new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services program implementing an AI-driven authorization system for traditional Medicare. This model gives private companies a financial incentive to deny claims, which will only worsen health disparities. This is a step backward that puts our most vulnerable citizens at greater risk.
Javed Cheema, Raleigh
Pollinators, politicians
Congratulations to the part of a new state law suspending highway mowing for a time to allow further pollination. But, suspending mowing to enable the display of political signs? Really?
First, this is another example of our legislature passing a law without consideration of its ramifications. Second, when, in the history of elections, did these roadside signs change the mind of one citizen about who to vote for?
These roadside signs should be banned. You can put them in your yard to support your candidate, but keep them off roads. Our landfills, where I’m sure the bulk of these signs end up, and the environment will benefit.
Brad Bradshaw, Raleigh
This story was originally published September 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "It’s disheartening to see UNC bowing to pressure to dismantle DEI | Opinion."