I got this letter from our very small public charter school about President Obama's speech.
I had to let it sit for some days before I felt that I could produce any semblance of a reasonable response.
September 4, 2009
Dear Parents:
President Obama will be delivering an address to students on Tuesday September 8th intended to "challenge students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their actions". (http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml) As you know, there is much debate about the political content/intent of this speech.
XXXXX School is a non-partisan organization and in no way endorses a political point of view. And XXXXX School will remain non-partisan in regards to this speech. Reflecting this approach, we will provide an optional delayed viewing of the speech during lunch time for students. The viewing will start towards the end of lunch in a separate room from lunch so that students have time to eat and are in no way compelled to attend. Each student has the option to watch or refrain from watching this address without any pressure to do either. Please feel free to give your child guidance as you see fit. Our students will not be given or asked to participate in the published "curriculum" that accompanies the speech.
The school day schedule will, in no way, be interrupted by the showing of the speech and class schedules will run normally. Therefore we look forward to educating your child on Tuesday.
Should you have any questions regarding this matter please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
XXXXX
XXXXXXX
XXXXX - High School Director
XXXXX- Middle School Director
My response:
Dear Mr. XXXX and Mr. XXXXXXXX,
I am writing to you in regards to the letter you sent out about the United States President's speech to students and schools. I am saddened by the school's stance on this very non-political address to the nations young people about staying in school and their personal responsibilities. This speech directly invokes this school's Core Values and has no political agenda in it at all.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/...
It seems to me that the school's administration has allowed the fringe to dictate what is acceptable and what is not. I feel a deep sense of sadness that XXXXX School has made this decision based on rumors and innuendo rather than the true text of the speech. The extremists that are allowed to rule the media airwaves have an agenda too, and it appears that they have succeeded with our schools' administrations. I believe that our first black President of the United States of America will be challenged and accused, in the most provocative language, by these people. I have a hope, that in the future, we will not allow this dangerous and small faction the ability to hijack our country.
I will expect that any address by any politician will be considered a controversial and political address by XXXXX School in the future. That is the viewpoint expressed, even though it is expressed through silent acquiescence.
Respectfully Yours,
COwoman