>>I don’t get it ..This teacher couldn’t handle this “nothing situation” on her own? No one drew weirder sh*t in school than I did , that’s what little boys do .<<
Despite the flack I am taking, I think there are some trigger points here.
I was raised Catholic and have been a Christian all my life. Some here have said that it is “normal” to associate the Cross with Christ, thus Christmas. But, most 8 YOs, even those who are impressed with their first understanding of Christ’s sacrifice for us, don’t make that set of associations.
Most kids of that age either relate to to the secular aspects (presents, tree, lights, Santa, etc.) or the warmer parts of the Bethlehem story (Nativity scenes, Mary and the Christ Child, the Star, angels singing joy to the world, etc.)
I would posit that it is unusual — perhaps shocking — that a child would create Easter images for this AND would then associate those images with himself.
Many here have stated arguments along the line of “well, that isn’t unusual.” I assure you it is.
Teachers need to pay attention to kids. And to misread signs outside the norm isn’t a crime and may be demanded by their contract and maybe even state law.
If this was overreacting (I think it was), then I just don’t see any significant harm, nor do I see any malice. It might be CYA, compliance, over-concern or just dumb. But that is a heck of a continuum.
And we know it ain’t race.
The last time I got into the position you’re in here, I got my post nominated for the stupidest post of the year.
I believe a key detail left out of this particular article about this event, is that the teacher asked the students to draw a picture of what Christmas meant to them. That, combined that these are special needs kids, the kid said something weird about one of the most violent scenes in Christianity and the teacher, or perhaps her supervisor, the principal over reacted by not bringing the parents in then, or possibly many other options that none of us who are not in the profession are not immediately aware of.
I wonder why Christmas was even brought up in a MA public school. I thought it was already taboo. The teacher assigning the drawings should expect to see some Christian interpretation, and this kid’s was probably not the only with a Christian theme. What the kid said was a little strange, but adult overreaction is the heart of this problem. Not religion, not race.
Sometimes we FReepers let our passions overrule our reasoning.
Present company excluded, of course.