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Dear Editor,
    Two mysteries appear in the article “Cold Sweat,” [Music, June 13]: 1) Why the nostalgia for segregation in the bar scene? I hate segregation whether it occurs by public policy, organizational activity, or market force. I decline to identify my race, even in the census (with difficulty). Race needs to become an unimportant incidental in life. 2) Why do the authors of the report cited in the article (from Eric Tang and Chunhui Ren, titled “Outlier: The Case of Austin’s Declining African-American Population”) think that Austin's black population is declining, where did they come up with 2010 data cited in the article, and why has no one who has cited or reported on it done the simplest data checking to determine that the report is apparently based on statistical error? The report, which I have now read and fact-checked, states that the African-American population in Austin in 2010 was 60,760. The census states the number of persons who reported themselves as black was only 64,406, which is a small increase, not the decline that is overlying feature of the report and which is cited in “Cold Sweat.” The Tang/Ren report does not mention the difference between their number and the 2010 official census data, nor does it address persons who may have reported themselves as black in combination with another race, although, as obvious from persons such as Barack Obama and Halle Berry, persons who acknowledge themselves as multiracial often identify primarily as black. The 2010 census reports that the total number of persons in Austin who are listed as Black or African-American alone or in combination with one or more races is 71,130. No disappearing African-Americans in Austin! I was an urban professional whose work included a lot of intense census number crunching for over 25 years, and I have seen high-ranking academics make serious mistakes before but this one was really easy to catch and no one bothered.

Dear Editor,
    Austin neighborhood groups talk the talk about wanting income diversity in all areas of town, but when even a modest proposal comes up to vote, there's always an issue with "this particular" change. For way too long, affordable housing has been crammed into East Austin instead of being equitably spread out. Allowing tiny homeowner-built “granny flats” in every neighborhood is a painless way to get affordable housing in every neighborhood, without using up scarce tax money to build a big housing complex on expensive land [“Council: Everything That Fits,” News, June 13].
    Neighborhood associations want an "opt out" option, but they have "opted out" of affordable housing on their blocks for too, too long. Given the opportunity, they will continue to make selfish excuses (parking! neighborhood character!) just as Austin Neighborhoods Council leadership is currently doing to oppose the building code change to allow homeowners to build garage apartments by default.
    Just look at the years-long struggles of Mobile Loaves & Fishes trying to house the homeless. Everyone supports their housing project "in theory" but not in reality, not if it's in their neighborhood. We are talking less than 500 square-feet here – these units aren't going to house tech millionaires. They are going to house students, performers, artists, cooks, bartenders, retired and disabled people on fixed incomes, teachers, and day care workers. They are going to house nurses and the person who brings you your beer at the Alamo Drafthouse or your taco at Torchy's.
    Lack of affordable housing is a big issue, and it will take both public and private money to make a dent. No one is forcing you to build a garage apartment in your backyard, but if you feel that your privilege extends to denying your neighbor the ability to provide housing in their backyard, you need to take a long hard look in the mirror and have an honest conversation about where your personal control ends and societal good begins.
    I hope you will join me in supporting Council Member Chris Riley's proposed code change.

Dear Editor,
    Greg Abbott has supported the Texas law that provides transparency for items purchased by the state, so that citizens can know what the state pays for all items. After he accepted about $350,000 from the compounding pharmacy lobby, he has changed his mind about protecting the rights of Texans, in order to provide cover for the compounding pharmacy lobby, who provide lethal drugs for Texas executions. The clandestine purchases of lethal drugs by Texas prison officials will now go without scrutiny. Greg Abbott telling anyone that they need to recuse themselves is a joke.