First things first: Politics aside, I would hope that the education of children would not be used as a platform to spread outright lies, propoganda, and personal beliefs, especially the racist/sexist/homophobic kind.
Considering this, I understand how politics can creep into any educational institution in America. We are, essentially, a nation born from dissent. But still, there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.
Ok, here we go:
The comments made by Greg Howard, a Marianna teacher suspended for writing inappropriate comments about presidential candidate Barack Obama, have been released.
Larry Moore, deputy superintendent for the Jackson County School District, said school officials determined Howard wrote an acronym with an explanation on a dry-erase board in his seventh-grade social-studies class at Marianna Middle School. It said, "C.H.A.N.G.E. - Come Help A (N-word) Get Elected."
Howard, who has been working with the school district for 17 years, has been suspended without pay for 10 days. Although he won't be teaching at the middle school, Moore said Howard will be a teacher at the district's Adult Education Program.
To answer some questions:
- "No; he still hasn't been fired."
- "Yes; other papers are covering this."
- "Damn Right, this is a problem. Not just for Barack Obama, but for dealing with race in politics and race relations in America period."
Is this a game-changer? Doubtful; but I don't want to hear about "Maybe it's the area he comes from" or any other bullshit. This isn't some hermit; he was a fucking schoolteacher.
To all DK parents: do you know what teachers are telling your children?
You might want to ask. And while you're at it, ask them what they think real change means.