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We are writing as representatives of the grassroots group Pajaro Valley for Ethnic Studies and Justice, in response to Gil Stein’s recent letter to the editor. We wholeheartedly agree with Stein’s statement that school board trustees have one of the toughest jobs, requiring hard work and dedication. That is why we are appalled by his attacks on Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee Joy Flynn.
It is relevant to note that Stein has a history of publicly attacking people of color, especially women of color, who do not conform to his pro-Israel beliefs. This includes respected ethnic studies professors at UC Santa Cruz and San Francisco State University, the director of the Resource Center for Nonviolence, PVUSD trustees and civil rights activist Angela Davis.
Stein criticizes Flynn for asking clarifying questions about the school bond measure before making decisions, for changing her mind on a budget vote, for being accused of antisemitism by Fox News and other conservative media, and for having typos in her emails. He sees these as evidence of Flynn’s unsuitability for her position, calling her “unprepared” and calling for her resignation.
As parents, educators and mentors of young people, we know that it is not enough for a student or a trustee to simply, as Stein says, “do their homework.” It is equally important to have the courage, humility and integrity to ask “stupid” questions before making important decisions, to be able to change one’s mind when necessary, and to show accountability for one’s actions.
It is also extremely important for a trustee to stand their ground on behalf of their students when they are targeted and attacked by national conservative media such as Fox News.
These are all qualities that Joy Flynn has demonstrated in her time as a PVUSD trustee. Flynn’s sincerity and honesty has been a welcome change from trustees who ignore emails from students and constituents, lie to colleagues and constituents, fail to disclose key conflicts of interest and bully students in public, even if they might have fewer typos in their emails.
Nat Low and Eli Davies, Aptos
Lourdes Barraza, Gabriel Barraza and Roy Recio, Watsonville