The Oct. 20 article "Fitzgerald watches philanthropy work touch lives globally" discusses how NFL player Larry Fitzgerald Jr. uses his platform to help others. The article appeared with the summary, "The Minneapolis native and NFL star receiver follows his late mother's example of generously sharing time and resources." Although the article beautifully described the work of Carol Fitzgerald in the community and portrays the positive impact she had on Fitzgerald's life, there was no mention of Fitzgerald's father (and Carol Fitzgerald's husband), Larry Fitzgerald Sr., who is alive, present, and was an integral part of Fitzgerald Jr.'s upbringing. In an era when less than 40 percent of black children live in two-parent households, compared with 75 percent of white children, it would seem most appropriate to give Larry Fitzgerald Sr. some credit for how well he raised his son -- not to mention that he is also a local and national journalist, philanthropist, and a huge part of our community fabric. He deserved better than he received from the Star Tribune in what was otherwise a tremendous article.
CHARLNITTA (MAMA CHI) ELLIS, MINNEAPOLIS
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Malala Yousufzai is called a hero around the world for standing up to the Taliban on the issue of education of girls. Yes, she is truly a hero. There is another hero in this story, and that is her father. Too often in this world men, and even fathers, look away when the rights of women and girls are violated or denied. They leave the fight for rights and equality to women, calling these "women's issues." With their own male rights firmly in place, they fail to join in the fight for females and maybe don't even care if women and girls are treated as equals. Thank goodness for the men like Ziauddin Yousufzai, who are activists on behalf of the rights of women and girls. Malala and her dad are both heroes.
MARG SELTZ, AFTON
