I write to comment on the May 14 letter in which a freshman student-athlete responded to action taken by Maine District 90 Rep. Laurel D. Libby (“Rep. Libby’s rhetoric spoils high school running“).

It is the responsibility of every adult to assist, whenever possible, any child or youth. It is certainly the further obligation to do no harm. Rep. Libby felt free to abrogate this responsibility, using Facebook to post photos of and name a winning transgender youth athlete. Apparently doing harm, potential and real, was Rep. Libby’s right.

The response of the freshman student who placed second was: “I don’t feel like first place was taken from me. Instead, I feel like a happy day was turned ugly by a bully who is using children to make political points.” She explained that personal improvement is valued as much as, if not more than, the place where athletes finish: “Last Friday, I ran the fastest 1,600-meter race I have ever run. I am extremely proud of the effort I put into the race and the time that I achieved.”

Personal improvement, and not defeating others, is the goal everyone should pursue, and with a focus on achieving this young woman’s level of decency, self-respect, kindness and healthy ambition. It is sometimes the young who must inform the older, and I hope Rep. Libby is capable of learning.

I am very admiring of and grateful for the moral guidance given by this young woman. I know her path through the world will bring light.

Elizabeth Moore
Belfast