I have just finished reading today’s paper and want to take moment to thank the Chapel Hill News for having the insight and sensitivity to invite Viv Taylor to write for My View (CHN, Sept. 26). She clearly has much to teach all of us about how to be kind, how to care about others and how to accept the great diversity of human nature.

Ms. Taylor’s courage in sharing her journey as a transgender woman is both amazing and heart-warming to me. I’m quite certain that I would fall short in sharing so much of myself (in a newspaper, no less!). I appreciate her generosity in teaching us, through her experiences, how to be better people.

My sincerest thanks to Ms. Taylor and to the Chapel Hill News for providing her, and her readers, the opportunity.

Jacquelyn Clymore

Chapel Hill

Much to learn

Robert Wallace began an important conversation in his column “Why Was She Afraid?” (CHN, Sept. 16).

He introduces his My View piece with an anecdote about frightening a young woman as he jogs in Duke Forest. Although he is observant enough to recognize, appreciate, and respect her fear, he digresses into two personal anecdotes about “machismo” and reconciling his identity with societal expectations of masculinity. As he concludes, he cites Kafka’s concept of the “irrational forces” which compel us to do immoral things.

This perspective makes violence seem passive, and every human being is a victim – even those who prey on others. However, if Wallace’s goal is to articulate the source of the young woman’s fear, as the title suggests, then the column does not reach a definitive conclusion.

As an intern in the Southern Oral History Program at UNC, I have witnessed the power of storytelling firsthand. The SOHP archives, available online at http://www.sohp.org, preserve the oral histories of a number of women who have been the victims of violent crimes, including sexual assault and rape. Reflecting on their experiences is a proactive approach to answering Wallace’s question.

As Orange County Rape Crisis Center founder Miriam Slifkin notes in her SOHP interview, “I give talks to raise awareness of this issue [violence against women] and to get people to say, ‘Well, what can I do about it?’” This is the question Wallace should be asking both himself and his readers. Yes, we need a “movement toward justice and grace,” but this movement requires action, and the resources provided by the SOHP facilitate the first step.

Natalie Warner

Chapel Hill

What shenanigans?

What is coffee and a pastry without live music?

Think about the type of people who would go to an independently owned, mostly organic, tiny adorable super market.

What shenanigans would those people get up to?

None.

Let them have their alcohol.

Let them have their acoustic music.

Malaika Handa

Chapel Hill

Carrboro’s special day

The 15th annual Carrboro Music Festival took place last Sunday (CHN, Oct. 3). I’d like to send out my personal thanks to all who contributed to Carrboro’s always special day, especially the rain gods who allowed us a glorious one day window without rain.

Thank you to the Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department with very special thanks to supervisor Rah Trost, who helped coordinate the event while juggling a couple of other upcoming town events. Thanks to administrator Dennis Joines for the running the website. I’d also like to thank the Public Works Department and Streets Superintendent David Poythress, the Police Department and Capt. Walter Horton and The Fire Department under Fire Chief Travis Crabtree. Without the town commitment, the event would not exist.

Many thanks to the 2012 volunteer committee members – Charlie Berry, Catherine DeVine, Tony Galiani, Michael Gowan, Jackie Helvey, Meg McGurk, and Janet Place. Special gratitude expressed to Meg for her invaluable volunteer coordination and to Janet for her fantastic graphic design work. Thank you to all the generous sponsors, the venues and all the musicians who donate their time and abilities.

Gerry Williams

Festival coordinator

A nonpartisan issue

Mental illnesses are medical illnesses that affect all communities. One in four adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year. One in 17 adults lives with a serious mental illness, either his or her own or that of a close family member.

In this election year, it’s worth remembering that mental illnesses affect Republicans, Democrats and independent voters alike. Serious mental illness is no respecter of persons, regardless of gender, race, education or socioeconomic status. While mental health itself may not be a partisan issue, there are many aspects of services to individuals and their families that are tightly woven into how our government prioritizes its budget from year to year. Since 2009, states nationwide have cut mental health services by $1.6 billon. And, very regrettably, studies show that only about 20% of people needing services actually obtain them.

On Tuesday, Oct. 9, the Durham NAMI will conduct an Outdoor Rally for Unity, Hope and Recovery from Mental Illness. The time is 1 p.m. at CCB Plaza in downtown Durham, at the intersection of Corcoran and Chapel Hill Streets. Please join us in the effort to raise public awareness about serious mental illness. For more general information, go to www.nami.org. Please join in the public dialogue during MIAW.

Jane Avery

NAMI Durham