Taunts, tears follow race lesson

Las Vegas Review-Journal ^ | 2/6/2004 | J. M. Kalil

[dixiepatriot]

Such nonsense is to be expected from the government indoctrination centers so commonly referred to as "public schools".

I will never let my child step foot in a government school.

[EveningStar]

EDITORIAL: Race lessons

'Segregation' exercise absurd, cruel for young kids without historical background

Educating today's students about the indignities, unfairness and humiliation black Americans suffered during the time of slavery and the subsequent period of official segregation is a worthy task ... and not just during Black History Month.

But the preposterous approach recently employed in library sessions by Manch Elementary School teacher Lora A. Mazzulla went far beyond any useful or sensible educational practice. Ms. Mazzulla decided to see how youthful charges -- some of them 9 years old and younger -- would handle "experiencing" segregation. She separated the students by race, gave black students board games and other privileges not afforded white youngsters, and is even reported to have allowed black students to engage in racial taunting while forcing white students to sit in silence.

Many of the children were upset and bewildered by the experience, some becoming tearful. Parents had to lodge complaints with administrators before the school demanded Ms. Mazzulla suspend her little psychological experiment.

Principal Pat Garcia won't say whether any disciplinary action will be taken against the instructor, because the investigation will be treated as -- you guessed it -- a "personnel matter."

What, exactly, were these "library sessions" supposed to teach the youngsters?

At a time Nevada students rank near the bottom nationally in every measurement of reading and mathematics -- subject matter which can be objectively evaluated -- so-called educators should surely be devoting their time to such basics. They have no business playing mind games with impressionable young students.

For one thing, this laboratory exercise hardly approximated what really happened during the Jim Crow era. At that time, African-Americans were compelled by law to drink from separate water fountains, eat in different restaurants, attend different schools.

There are appropriate ways to educate children on the injustices that took place during the era of segregation. But those approaches require educators to provide some historical context, impart factual information, and lead discussions that are relevant to the ages of the children involved. Confusing kids, examining their motivations, or simply making them feel guilty, is hardly a legitimate teaching strategy.

Marsha Irvin, the district's northeast superintendent, says the school district makes age-appropriate materials available to teachers who wish to educate students on racial issues. "When you're teaching sensitive information, you really have to lay the foundation and make sure the students are prepared," Ms. Irvin said. Messing with young students' minds does not pass that test.

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