Letter: Re-enactment could be educational (Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin deaths)

The Columbus Dispatch ^ | September 1, 2014 | John C. Stevens

[2ndDivisionVet]

I am having trouble understanding the error the teacher in Selma, Ala., made that was serious enough to warrant suspension without pay (“Sixth-graders re-enact Missouri shooting; teacher suspended,” Reuters article, Aug. 23 Dispatch).

It sounds like a good idea to give an assignment requiring students to act out a current event. If the students themselves chose the Ferguson, Mo., shooting and the Trayvon Martin incident, perhaps they gained a deeper understanding of racism, crime and other societal problems. It would be a great exercise in communication, teamwork and addressing emotionally charged issues.

The principal at the school was quoted as saying that the teacher showed poor judgment in allowing the students to put on their skits “once she saw the props and the context.” I get the impression that the teacher’s error was allowing the students to use toy guns as props.

I understand that many schools have a zero-tolerance policy regarding weapons. I am certainly not a gun enthusiast, but perhaps such policies should contain theatrical exceptions for the sake of education.

JOHN C. STEVENS

Columbus

[2ndDivisionVet]

Yes, this is how we got a "president Obama" and things like gay marriage and welfare-for-all. People like this guy vote.

[Augustinian monk]

But it’s essential the children learn that everything is racism. What is wrong with you? /s

[MeshugeMikey]

this line of discussion is not at all respeckful of the Gentle Giant.....

[Beagle8U]

http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/40/1243518/1243612.html

[Sherman Logan]

Actually, re-enactments of these events based on the actual facts as available would indeed be enlightening.

But that of course isn’t the way they’d be staged.

[rktman]

Nope. On your knees, bullet to the back of the head re-enactment. Facts are not fact unless we tell you they are.

[TexasGator]

“It sounds like a good idea to give an assignment requiring students to act out a current event. “

Wonder which version they acted out?

[WilliamofCarmichael]

I get the impression that the teacher’s error was allowing the students to use toy guns as props.

I believe the intent (of both teacher and litter writer) is to emphasize the shootings and has nothing at all to do with a concern about the Second Amendment.

Nevermind that not all is known about what really happened in Ferguson and the Trayvon trial verified that the white! Hispanic was in fear for his life -- it also exposed the MSM for lying. The suit against NBC is still out there I believe; one Internet source said "Zimmerman's attorney . . . Jim Beasley, pointed out NBC issued an apology and fired employees associated with presenting the [doctored tape]"

Here's some crimes the students can act out.. though the white boys won't have that much to do.

Criminal Victimization in the United States, [YYYY] Statistical Tables

These are from the annual DoJ survey (emphasis on survey) of thousands of crime victims. They are not police records. Table 42: "Percent distribution of single-offender victimizations, by type of crime, race of victim, and perceived race of offender"
"Rape/Sexual assault"

Year of Stats	Total Rape/ Sexual assault	Race of Victims	% White Offenders	% Black Offenders	% Not known & other
1995	255,260	White	78.7	15.3
	38,330	Black	7.9 *	92.1
1996	216,710	White	82.2	8.8 *
	44,890	Black	13.5 *	80.2	6.3 *
1997	234,800	White	74.8	8.0 *
	43,890	Black	0.0 *	93.7	6.3 *
1998	225,330	White	77.2	9.9 *
	47,430	Black	7.2 *	68.9	23.9 *
1999	274,020	White	79.4	7.3 *
	67,890	Black	0.0 *	79.3	20.7 *
2000	199,360	White	81.5	7.0
	33,780	Black	7.0	79.7	13.3
2001	183,160	White	71.3	17.1
	29,980	Black	13.4	65.5	21.1
2002	134,140	White	76.0	13.1
	59,490	Black	14.2	85.8
2003	131,030	White	57.9	15.5
	24,010	Black	0.0	87.9	12.1
2004	139,900	White	65.1	8.3
	39,300	Black	0.0	89.8	10.2
2005	111,590	White	44.5	33.6
	36,620	Black	0.0	100.0
2006	194,270	White	50.6	16.7
	17,920	Black	0.0	43.0	57.0
2007	185,430	White	75.5	7.6
	12,780	Black	0.0	100.0
2008	117,640	White	74.9	16.4
	46,580	Black	0.0	74.8	25.2

*0.0 Estimate is based on 10 or fewer sample cases
May not sum to 100.0 % due to rounding

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

If anyone knows where the DoJ Criminal Victimization in the United States Table 42 data are for the Obama years please let me know. I cannot find them and assume that that racial discussion was a bit too honest for Holder.

Again.. these are data extrapolated from DoJ annual interviews of thousands of crime victims and the data are not from police records. Some victims may not have reported the crimes.

[kaehurowing]

See Dick talk to Jane on a cell phone.

“Jane, I’m going to beat up that funny gay guy over there.”

“Ooh, Dick that sounds like fun.”

[nothingnew]

I am certainly not a gun enthusiast, but perhaps such policies should contain theatrical exceptions for the sake of education.

JOHN C. STEVENS

Well, he's certainly not a gun enthusiast, but he certainly is a a-hole. Please, spare me the fools.

FMCDH(BITS)

[wbill]

Wittier FReepers than I can speculate on how this "play" would act out.

I'll guess that we'd start with both shooters in KKK robes, both shootees working with the poor, teaching small children to read, or the like, then go from there.

[a fool in paradise]

They are learning about play acting and fantasy but they are learning little about REALITY.