Posted on 11/25/2005 3:01:56 PM PST by chicagolady
I am the father of the young man who did not stand for the singing of the Mexican national anthem during a cultural awareness program at Larkin High School.
I have been constantly asked to explain the details of the event, and it is in response to these individuals that I offer the following facts.
Some of the students, my son included, were compelled to attend this assembly. The Mexican national anthem was printed on fliers and handed out to the attending students. The Mexican flag was marched in and placed on a podium by itself. The attendees were then asked to stand and sing the Mexican national anthem.
My son was not alone in his refusal to stand. Statements given to me by other youths and parents put the number of refusals at close to 20.
Larkin staff members immediately confronted the seated youth. Some of the students were threatened with in-school suspension; most of the seated students were intimidated into standing.
My son explained to the angry teacher who confronted him that he did not see a U.S. flag on the podium and he did not believe they were going to sing our national anthem. This teacher stated, "They have to stand for our national anthem, so you have to stand for theirs."
My son stated in response, "Yeah, but they're in our country."
The teacher called my son a punk and sent him to the office. The administrator in the office supported the teacher's demand and told my son that he could have made a more intelligent decision. My son was not formally disciplined. The teacher who confronted my son defended her actions to her students during class the following week.
I called Larkin principal Richard Webb to express my disappointment and concern. I described the manner in which my son had been treated. I was told that my son should have stood and that the school stood by its right to have this assembly in its chosen form.
I then exercised my right as a citizen and addressed the school board.
The press was present at the board meeting and media awareness snowballed from that point forward. Some of my statements to the board included, "I am disappointed that those responsible for creating an assembly intended to educate and sensitize Americans also felt free to act insensitively with regard to our culture. It is permissible to present another country's anthem alongside ours and receive standing respect. It is not reasonable to expect or demand that Americans stand and display respect for another flag and country in absence of the American anthem or flag."
I also asked the board to consider two positive actions. "First, encourage Larkin High School administrators to not underscore one culture to the exclusion of others. This ill-conceived mandatory assembly did nothing but widen the current schism. Second, I would ask the board to lay down some principles for future assemblies. While it is good educational practice to teach about other cultures, it is not an acceptable practice to require mandatory response to the patriotic elements of those cultures."
I was appalled by Webb's printed statement. Apologizing only for the "unfortunate spotlight" placed on the school does not acknowledge the process that brought the spotlight. Lack of proper oversight created an assembly that offended a large number of people. Teachers behaving badly guaranteed parental follow-through. Administrative silence and denial has perpetuated their arrogant image.
Trivializing the incident and belittling those it concerned has only confirmed Webb's lack of grounding with the community.
Since Dec. 8, 2004, educational institutions receiving federal funding are required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on Sept. 17 of each year. This year, Sept. 17 fell on a Saturday.
Our high school apparently chose on Sept. 16 not to hold an assembly on the Constitution of the United States, but to educate our youth on the patriotic elements of another country.
- Bedard is an Elgin resident.
11/25/05
You don't think that the Irish national anthem played on St. Patrick's Day and the Mexican national anthem played during an assembly which was meant for a supposed "US Constitution Awareness Day" is just a wee bit of difference?
You do not see just ONE flag presented, either. The protocol of presenting the flag was wrong--US flag shoud have been honored by being on stage. I agree with others here that if a US student sat out or turned their back at a ceremony honoring US flag and country, it would have been just fine with this teacher and principal.
vaudine
Oy. A point for those concerned to closely monitor. Maybe the kid was braver than even I gave him credit for.
I am leaving for the evening...but I am SICK to DEATH of people who post without reading the thread...
Did you read #76???
Did you read #141???
Did you read ANYTHING???!!!
NOW...I'm outta here...LOL!!!
Richard Webb, the principal, can be reached at: webb_r/lhs@dns.u46.k12.il.us or by phone (847) 888-5200 xt. 5205 .
The rest of his webpage is at: http://www.u46.k12.il.us/lhs/webbrichard/
Let's inundate this jerk.
HuntsvilleTxVeteran,
You made some excellent points. As for me; I only demand proper flag protocol be followed.
The school needs to have their US flags taken away if they choose not to. Perhaps that would please them. They obvious do not respect it.
They've been trying to pull this kind of anti-Americanism in the SW United States for some time. And this is Illinois?
Yeah, I read most of them. Ever hear of reiteration?
vaudine
The only ones that are offensive here are those that would perpetrate such an event on U.S. soil.
harassment for this, particularly from gangs.
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I'll go out on a limb here; I think he'll do better standing up for what he believes in rather than folding and crawling. Prayers out for him but I think he'll be alright.
Your original comment seemed to be the one doing the slamming. If I missed something there, then I apologize.
Your response, which I parse as "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?", I find completely unimpressive.
Thanks. Check his response to me.
I didn't catch the date of the actual incident, but I suspect it was probably Cinco De Mayo.
which from what I understand, has nothing to do with the 4th of July.
Of course it doesn't have anything to do with the 4th of July. That simply went without saying.
If the Hispanic students wanted to commemorate this day, then they can do it in their own neighborhoods, or social clubs, etc. like previous ethnic groups have done in the past, with anticipation of remembering it fondly but, on the path to becoming Americans.
How generous of you. Your profile doesn't say where you live. However, given you attitude I'd bet it isn't Texas. Cinco De Mayo has been a big thing in Texas since as long as I can remember. I can remember traveling from Colorado to San Antonio to see the Cinco De Mayo celebrations when I was just a small child, some 35 year ago. You know, the celebrations haven't hurt Texas yet.
Intimidation is not what I had in mind; I would like to better understand via contact and debate as to what these school officials think they're promoting when they allow immigrants (or aliens, depending on their legal status) to perform these functions, during school hours and to what end?
I would guess that they're celebrating the culture and heritage of some of the students. It's perfectly ok to be a good American and still celebrate your heritage. No one complains when German Towns all through the USA celebrate Oktoberfest or when the Irish make a big deal out of St. Patricks day.
I've been sharing this thread with my two school-age children as well. Although, I think my children are learning a radically different lesson from it than your children are. Or so it would seem.
Hello HiJinx, I wondered if you or any one in your area has heard about this?
Bush to speak on border issues Monday at D-M
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 11.24.2005
President Bush plans to visit Tucson on Monday to talk about border security and immigration issues, the White House announced Wednesday.
Bush is scheduled to speak at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base at about 2:40 p.m.
"He's not visiting anywhere else in Tucson," White House spokesman Blair Jones said.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff are expected to appear with Bush at D-M.
The White House would not say if Bush plans to announce any new initiatives while in Tucson.
Later in the day, Bush is scheduled to attend a Phoenix fund-raiser for Republican Sen. Jon Kyl.
Monday's visit will be Bush's 13th trip to Arizona as president and his third appearance this year.
Bush last came to town March 21 to talk about overhauling Social Security at Tucson Convention Center. He also flew into D-M on Aug. 11, 2003, then took a helicopter up to Mount Lemmon, where he promoted his Healthy Forests Initiative in the wake of the 84,750-acre Aspen Fire.
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/news/103966
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Nov.24, 2005 - LOU DOBBS CNN-TV
President Bush heads to the U.S.-Mexican border next week to get a first-hand look at this country's illegal alien crisis. The president will spend two days on the border. He'll be in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, on Monday, and El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday.
The president is expected to speak on border security and immigration reform during his trip.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/ldt.html
Oatka -
Thank you. I shall make an intelligent inquiry although I don't expect a meaningful response.
Best Wishes.
Just a guess, but on this issue, I'd say more talk is not needed.
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