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Athens' Fifteen Minutes of Shame
Usually small towns like Athens are popular places to live and raise our children, but that may not be the case these days.
The issue of illegal immigrants from Mexico and south entering the United States is certainly on the mind of many Americans, and particularly so in Texas; since it is a crossing over into the USA. Kids in Texas schools are familiar with illegal alien students and Athens Middle School choose to involve the students in the issue.
With the schools permission student Melanie Bowers, a young 13 year old student at Athens Middle School made a sign that read "If you love our nation, stop illegal immigration" and proudly displayed it to other students on school grounds.
What happened next, and the shameful interpretation of what happened by Dr. Fred Hayes, Athens Independent School District Superintendent and school officials should have encouraged the ACLU to come to Melanie's defense. And anyone else with a sense of fair play.
According to news reports Dr. Hayes admits that on the school video "one snatched the sign and the other encouraged the plot," and he then interprets what occurred as it "appeared to be mostly horseplay." Apparently they destroyed the sign. The three Hispanic students were suspended--apparentlyhe thought it was more than horseplay.
Well, maybe what happend to her wouldn't upset some people, but I can understand her outrage. Unfortunately she responded to their violent and in my opinion criminal behavior by exaggerating that she was physicallty injured.
Her crime, if she is to be charged and I hope Dr. Hayes and the authorities come to their good senses is one of mere words, but the real crime committed by the Hispanic boys is surely one of a simple battery, theft and/or criminal conspiracy. But, unbelievably no one else beside this writer is suggesting that they should be criminally charged for their acts. Their crime could possibly be classified as a hate crime if more is revealed about what they said to Melanie.
The bottom line, apologize to Melanie Bowers, and take no action against her. Dr. Hayes and the three young Hispanic boys should be required to attend sensitivilty and racial/ethnic tolerance training .
Louis Calabro
PMB 253, 1212 H El Camino Real, San Bruno, Ca. 94066 (650) 312-8284
eaifpresemeritus@aol.com
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European/American
Issues Forum: The European/American Issues Forum is a moderate and thoughtful civil rights organization dedicated to the eradication of discrimination against and defamation of European Americans. We do not denigrate or slur other racial/ethnic groups and welcome those who support our policy. Established 1997, San Mateo County , California Web Master |
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