132 replies to this topic

[Who_Do_You_Trust]

No apologies necessary WDYT. It was very enlightening and underlined the distinction between Gov't and citizens. I guess what I mean is that the schools are gov't. At least the public schools. Taxes are paid and citizens have a right to not be subjected to bias or hurtful things such as the flag or the fact we can't pray in schools any longer. Btw for the gov't to practice separation of church and state I find it ironic that in our courts or in swearing in a president we use the Bible. Of course I am ok with that but just saying.
Anyway if my answer above is not satisfactory to you feel free to come at me again until I either understand or we have to agree to disagree.
One more thing, are you saying that wearing a swaztica arm band is ok in the gov't building of S. Carolina and also ok for a student or teacher to wear in schools?

 

Trails,  you made a comment that you can't pray in schools any longer.  there is a lot of misconception about this.  In fact, students can pray in school all they want.  There are no rules that prevent students from praying in public school.  What is prohibited is school sponsored prayer.  the school can't have a prayer before the football game.  they can't have a prayer at the beginning of the school day.  They can't have a prayer at any school functions.  It's prohibited.  Otherwise, students can say prayers all they want.  I don't think most people understand this.

[bordercolliefan]

Mr. Hart is a Liberal. I detest Liberalism, yet I support and defend him in this situation.

We need to crush this *witch hunt* stuff. Where are the grown-ups? The kids are the ones making the most sense on this issue.

A few people wanted his head to roll as a "victory" for black people or political correctness. But that isn't a victory; it is just mob violence against a man who has done more to serve our community than most of us will.

I wish we could all stop tallying "victories" for our group and see each other as people.

And yes, as I said early on, I do feel very badly for the black boy who was in Mr. Hart's class when he made his ill-conceived remark. Middle school is terrible anyway and no one wants to feel singled out or different. Truth be told, any discussion of Southerners' views of black people would have been equally uncomfortable for this boy. How would he feel when told that as recently as the 1950's, he wouldn't have been allowed to sit at a lunch counter? History is painful, and Mr. Hart didn't make it so. The root cause of this problem is the kid being the only black kid in class--the one all the other kids looked at when the topic came up for discussion. Maybe that's a reminder why we should seek more diversity and less segregation.

[bordercolliefan]

WDYT, thanks again for the clarification on prayer. It's no coincidence though to see the degradation of our society and the elimination of God from the public square.

BCF, I am sorry you had to make this political by throwing a blanket over those who wanted him out.

I made it political?  Ha, that's a good one. 

 

It is possible I have some additional facts, since my daughter had the teacher, I know another teacher/parent who strongly supports Mr. Hart, and I know some of the parents who went to the School Board meeting.  One fact is that the parents and fellow teachers who attended the meeting were overwhelmingly in support of Mr. Hart.  The "anti-Mr. Hart" side was, aside from the kid's parents, mostly represented by one or more outside political action groups. 

 

The more you know about this, the more it stinks. 

 

By the way, Folsom Trails, what do you think about the high school teacher who uses a historical artifact as part of teaching about Jim Crow laws--a real sign that says something like, "No Dogs, No Negroes, No Mexicans."  Apparently he came to the Board meeting and asked the School Board if their decision meant that he could no longer teach what things were really like. 

[Deanna H]

What I have read here about this incident has me baffled as to why this teacher was asked to retire. It seems more to me like he is being judged for his previous comment, because this doesn't seem to be something that should even merit a reprimand. (Previous comment seems to be a shock value pay attention kind of thing not really thought through, and regretted from what I've read)

As I understand it, there were 2 Civil War flags that represented the 2 sides of the Civil War, in a history class, where they were used in lessons about the Civil War. Shocking. Was there anyone in class who was actually offended by these lessons, or is it a bunch of hand-wringers who weren't there that are in an uproar and taking it upon themselves to decide what everyone else should be offended by? 

He sounds to me like a teacher who really tried to engage students rather than use the "read the chapter, quiz on Friday" approach. I think people learn a lot more that way. I'm sorry the students of the school have to lose what sounds like a teacher who tried to teach more than just the memorization of text. And no, I'm not "sick in the head".

[2 Aces]

Good comments, Deanna. The problem these days is the "knee jerk" person. There's less and less deep, critical thinking. It's "lash-out, and don't back off". It's a childishness that is running rampant. Thankfully, most people commenting on this "story" have sent a strong message to the ignorant person who started this topic...and that message is, "grow up and be an adult".

[ducky]

BCF, all your posts are eloquent and spot on.  I too was saddened to hear this is how Mr. Hart's career has ended.  My child had him in the past and loved his class.  I believe it created confidence in my child to go on to AP history in high school.  

I understand how things were originally stated in the news would create a rush to judgment, but I don't understand how opinions wouldn't change after things were put in context.

[nomad]

BCF, I hate to be blunt but I don't care about the white kids and their parents who vouch for this guy. I care about those who were or could be offended. I am a white conservative FYI. I think this election has polarized a nation and I think it is showing right here in our great little city. The people who are supporting this guy for the most part are also the ones who hate on BLM Or Colin Kapernik for exercising their first amendment right. Continuing to be blunt I also think those same people are rallying around this man to get even with who they see as cry babies or snowflakes.
I blame Obama first and now Trump. THE worst baton hand off in history. God help us. We are looking bad as a city now with this. Racist in fact. Where is the empathy?
Again, being blunt once more, I think we as a city are changing rapidly, no longer just white and it is scaring people. This teacher has given them something to voice that fear.

That's my opinion, right or wrong I beIieve I am entitled to it.

 

So quick to blame Trump huh? The guy just got sworn in and the previous guy had 8 years to create these divides we see today. 

 

It's amazing how afraid people are with him taking office. In fact, it's pathetic when NOTHING has changed yet. And if you're afraid of all the banter from the election races that's even more hysterical. 

[Carl G]

Reading through all this reminded me of how my school taught about racism in lower grades.  I went to a pretty white school; my last year there, there were 270ish kids in 13 grades.  There we three African American students total.  What my teacher did was to invent discrimination by saying anyone with blue eyes was subhuman.  We were to avoid blue eyed kids.  By the second day, the blue-eyed kids were feeling quite disenfranchised.  Looking back, it is interesting how quickly and gleefully everyone turned on them and how uncomfortable the blue-eyed felt.

[2 Aces]

I do NOT believe what Carl G said. His *story* reeks of phoniness. I am not calling him a liar, but I highly doubt what he is saying. I don't know what his motivation is, but I have a hunch. I can spot an agitator from a mile away. He's probably one of the people that wanted Mr. Hart fired. Disgusting.

[Carl G]

I do NOT believe what Carl G said. His *story* reeks of phoniness. I am not calling him a liar, but I highly doubt what he is saying. I don't know what his motivation is, but I have a hunch. I can spot an agitator from a mile away. He's probably one of the people that wanted Mr. Hart fired. Disgusting.

 

2A - I just don't give a crap whether you believe me or not. There are times I quite sure you wouldn't know the truth if it hit you over the head with a 2 by 4.

[bordercolliefan]

I do NOT believe what Carl G said. His *story* reeks of phoniness. I am not calling him a liar, but I highly doubt what he is saying. I don't know what his motivation is, but I have a hunch. I can spot an agitator from a mile away. He's probably one of the people that wanted Mr. Hart fired. Disgusting.

I don't agree, 2 Aces. I believe I've heard of exactly this type of exercise, to give people a feel for being marginalized or discriminated against.

Folsom Trails, as my final reflection on the Mr. Hart situation, I will say I respect your passionate opposition to racism, even though I think it is misplaced in this case. I'm sure you will apply your passion fruitfully to the racism that does exist around us, of which there is still far too much.