If “Power dynamics obviously favors those in power,”  (Feb. 14 guest column “Deeds, decisions and the school funding debate“), then all should know what power dynamics are.   It can be said that taking to the streets in large numbers constitutes an exercise of raw power. And while some may use other people’s adherence to “‘civility’ or ‘politeness’ or ‘respect’” as means to manipulate or control them, it might be possible to say “no” to the manipulation or control without sacrificing the very norms that can enable people of diverse viewpoints and perspectives to live together peaceably.

Many if not all Massachusetts communities face severe budget challenges in view of actions of the former Republican Party that now operates as the de facto MAGA Party.  A Boston Globe article on the recent shouting at a School Committee member that occurred in a Northampton supermarket cited the mayor’s office as reporting that city costs keep rising faster than revenues do, year after year. These annual cost increases are far from unique to Northampton; and an exercise of full civic responsibility may require analyzing and understanding them.

Officials in South Hadley cite rising health insurance costs as a major contributor to the current budget deficit here. In attending a civic meeting here several years ago, I heard that special education costs were severely stressing our School budget. While it might be like touching the proverbial third rail to say this, I wonder if our society’s current overall approach to supporting people’s best mental health might be contributing to the cost crunch. For example, some may be diagnosed as neurodiverse who would formerly have been understood just to be weird somehow. To me, it seems possible we are relegating to specialized treatment difficulties on the human scene that are better navigated as part of the natural variegation of humanity that requires only the competent exercise of such qualities as “‘civility’ or ‘politeness’ or ‘respect’” for best societal outcomes.

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will,” said Frederick Douglass. When power concedes things only and exclusively in response to a demand, the resulting outcomes are generally not as desired.

Mary H. Hall

South Hadley