Readers Write (April 28): The 2016 campaign, transgender accommodations, inclusive playgrounds, Christian-Muslim relations, transportation funding

GOP candidate Donald Trump's views about women provide an opportunity for people to witness the ongoing marginalization women face in the workplace and educational institutions. His recent comments about Hillary Clinton — "I think the only card she has is the woman's card" and "she has got nothing else going" — reflect a sobering reality: In the U.S., women with exceptional qualifications are marginalized in the classroom and throughout their careers. Frequently, a woman's abilities and experiences are dismissed, and she is portrayed as being nothing more than her gender. We do not need a commander-in-chief who feels comfortable playing this game; it harms individuals, families, businesses, educational institutions — our nation. So deal me in, Hillary — this round is No Trump!

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The angry white men spoke in Tuesday's Republican primaries.

In November, hopefully, the angry white and black women will speak! Get ready!

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A little perspective, please. The morning after Tuesday's primaries in five states has the TV news media all but anointing Trump president due to his "huge" percentage victories in those states. Percentages and votes cast are two entirely different things.

Trump earned nearly 400,000 fewer total votes than did Clinton in all five states. The total for all three Republican candidates last night was nearly 700,000 fewer than those cast for the two Democrats together. In New York last week, Trump's "overwhelming" victory was a mere 524,000 votes — half of Clinton's million-plus. This in a state of nearly 20 million. So, before many of us have heart palpitations at the thought of a President Trump, paying attention to numbers rather than percentages can tell a very different story.

In its declared commitment to "diversity," Target's management has opened its restrooms to people of whatever gender they elect at the moment they choose to relieve themselves ("Credit Target for transgender policy," editorial April 27). According to the best available estimates, roughly 720,000 Americans identify themselves as transgender. Mathematical conclusion: More than 99 percent of shoppers at Target do not so identify themselves. They hew to their undeniable biological reality.

If Target is determined to provide bathroom facilities for these very few, they have only to convert a tiny part of their sales floor to that end.

Target has no right to force the vast majority of its customers to cave to the highly unique needs of the transgender people.

The April 26 article "Two very different suburbs vie for prize" reported on the accomplishments of Columbia Heights and Woodbury. While both cities showed impressive improvements, I really enjoyed reading how Woodbury created an inclusive playground.

The citizens of Woodbury are a great example of a community coming together to bridge the gap between all children and their access to their community. There are a lot of children who can't play on playground equipment because they have a motor impairment, or can't use their wheelchair in the play area. The right to play is a right for all children, and I am glad the citizens of Woodbury recognized this problem in their community. Other cities need to look to Woodbury as a leader in creating inclusive design for all playgrounds in Minnesota, so all of our children can play and learn together.

It is my hope that in the future, programs like this one will not be needed, that people will accept without reservations that we all have differences, and that fear and discrimination will not be present in Minnesota cities. Until then, I am pleased to read about people like Brown who are working to make Minnesota a welcoming, safe home for all.

I would like to commend those who wrote and endorsed the April 25 commentary "Fund transportation fully — and do it now," especially my Edina mayor, Jim Hovland. They accurately grasp a growing problem in Minnesota, urging the Legislature to fund transportation: repairing roads and bridges, adding more public transit, and improving access for nonmotorized transportation.

As a ninth-grade student at South View Middle School in Edina, I see this problem in a slightly different light. Many of the roads near our school need repair. While more are getting bike lanes or other bike-friendly additions, it's not enough. Many people don't bike, partly because of accessibility. Some locations are simply unsafe.

Where many schools like mine are trying to promote "bike/walk to school" days, they often hit a roadblock where safety is concerned. Trying to convince people to bike or walk to school is difficult if it is unsafe.

These programs have many beneficial aspects, including health, wellness and a cleaner environment. The environmental impact is huge. Climate change is an increasingly urgent issue, and fixing infrastructure is essential. As a young person growing up in this world, I hope to live on an Earth with clear skies, where I can roam.