School censorship lesson gives one on sensitivity (TROP 3 bag barf alert)

StarAndSickleTribune ^ | 3/21/06 | Mary Lynn Smith

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

A high school English lesson on censorship went awry in Roseville recently, offending Muslims and resulting in apology from the school district. Officials said a librarian at Roseville Area High School last week tried to show students what censorship looks and feels like.

Among the books he tossed into a trash can made to look like a bonfire was the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. A ninth-grade student, who is Muslim, was offended by the librarian's remarks and actions, sparking calls to the school from her parents and the Muslim American Society-Freedom Foundation.

Using the Qur'an, a book that is holy to 1.7 billion Muslims in the world, was "misguided," said Murad Mohammad, a director for the Muslim foundation's Civil and Legal Rights Department. "It wasn't well thought out or well-planned if a student walks out confused."

But after meeting with school officials this week, Mohammad said he would call the incident a "misunderstanding."

School officials have apologized, saying they need to be culturally sensitive to all students when preparing lesson plans. "We have to have great care in how we deliver messages and still make a point," said Bob Rygh, the school district's human resource director.

[Ban Draoi Marbh Draoi]

It is because of nonsense like this that I refuse to join the ALA.

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

Our public school teachers should not be allowed to stray beyond the three R's. It's too dangerous.
(Now, if we could just make them competent in the three R's.)