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Obama Pep-Rallies and Freedom of SpeechBy Wendy Day, Section News
(Promoted by Nick... Scary indeed! If your school or your kids' school is up to any shanahanigans, shout!)
Is your child's school showing the Inauguration on Tuesday? There is a good chance they are.
I agree that children need to see the historic transfer of power in America. Unfortunately, I have found very few students who watched the 2004 Inauguration in school. For many students, the viewing of Obama's swearing in may be more like a pep-rally than a civics lesson. One teacher called into the Sean Hannity Show and said that all 1200 students in the school where she worked would be watching the event. She said it was the first time they had watched the Inauguration in school during her teaching career. Some schools are even having parties to celebrate the event. The problem isn't that kids will be watching the Inauguration. The problem is how the event may be handled by teachers and students. I sat down with the Principal of my kids' school and asked some important questions. The last thing I want my kids doing is attending a pep rally for Obama and facing possible ridicule from other kids if they don't support him.
See what one school has admitted to...
Dayton Daily News
Superintendent warns against 'inappropriate comments' Bright sends out e-mail to Mason parents in advance of Inauguration Day. By Eric Schwartzberg and Marie Rossiter
Staff writers Mason school officials said they are taking a proactive educational approach in advance of next week's planned Inauguration Day activities. "Inappropriate comments that may make other students, staff or families feel unwelcome or uncomfortable in school or on the bus will not be tolerated," Superintendent Kevin Bright said in an e-mail sent to parents Monday, Jan. 12. Who decides what is inappropriate? The district, he said, expects students and staff to show respect for President-elect Obama and the incoming administration, as well as President Bush and the outgoing administration, and recognize that "while the election is a competitive process, our nation's greatness is displayed when all sides come together for a united country." Jeff Schlaeger, Mason High School's psychologist, said "inappropriate comments" occurred around election week when doctored pictures of Obama appeared at the school, including "derogatory caricatures" of him dressed like a terrorist and signs that read "Obama '08/Biden '09." Since when is a cartoon or drawing a "comment"? Sounds fishy. "There were groups of students that were worked up over the results of the election," said Schlaeger, who is a member of the district's racial equity committee and curriculum organizer for MHS Freshman Diversity Week. The school is offering a variety of events for students at every grade level, ranging from letter-writing and books, to videos, reflection and watching the inauguration itself, Bright said in the e-mail. "We're attempting to take a more proactive approach now and, first of all, celebrate the passing of power in our country and at the same time also celebrate this historic inauguration and the election of our first African-American president," Bright said during an interview Tuesday. While we should support more informed students, I wonder if schools would be this eager to interrupt classes to show McCain being sworn in? Warren County Commissioner Dave Young, who has three children in the school district, said he questions an "inappropriate comments" policy based on what makes someone feel "unwelcome or uncomfortable." "It's not 'We're discouraging you from saying those (comments)' it's 'It won't be tolerated,' " Young said. "That's a very dangerous precedent." He is right. "Won't be tolerated," is a strong warning to those who may speak out against Obama. We can't teach students to be active participants in the election process and at the same time deny their First Amendment Rights, or can we?
Obama Pep-Rallies and Freedom of Speech | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden)
Obama Pep-Rallies and Freedom of Speech | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 hidden)
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