Posted on 05/03/2002 5:57:43 PM PDT by Betteboop
I have given up on Hannity and listen to Bob Grant again........I believe he will be sandwiched between O'Reilly and Jay Diamond. Remember that kookburger from the late nights?
Bob is glad because he knows it will be cutting into WABC........
They were no different than those people who made the teacher's life hell. I remember the absolute shock when Curtis came on the air to say that Bob Grant had been fired.
Now I am beginning to understand why John Gambling was fired from WOR!!!
But Steve Malzberg has been given an extra hour on Sunday morning and he will be followed by a few hours of the GREAT ONE himself....Mark Levin........yyyyyyaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Truly beautiful primative art. These cave paintings have always fascinated me . . . they're far above anything that passes as "primative art" today.
So, Dr. Abalos, would seeing Mike Tyson or Puff Daddy Combs on the mural satisfy your NEED for diversity?
You are correct on 75% of the world's population being of color but you should at the same time acknowledge that at least 75% of the world's accomplishments have been achieved by people of un-color. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Dr. Abalos.
And Africa should be "equally represented" when it comes to scientific contributions to man-kind?
Ithacites have their own murals to gripe about...
Ithaca is the City of Evil.
Ithaca is the "City of Evil"
I am writing in response to the article printed concerning the ethnic issues surrounding Hightstown High School's newly finished mural ("Questions raised about mural's ethnic inclusiveness," May 3, 2002, Page 3A). As a senior and an art student at Hightstown who had the honor of working alongside Mr. Plank and several other students, I am outraged at the criticism made by Dr. Abalos.
Each one of us, especially Mr. Plank, gave our all into making the mural as beautiful as possible and to turn Mr. Plank's dedication of countless hours of sacrificed lunch breaks, time after school, and weekends — basically any time he could spare — into a racial issue has defeated the whole purpose of the mural and has angered the student body as well. It is not only a direct insult to Mr. Plank, who is one of the most compassionate and fair human beings I have luckily been able to call my teacher for the past four years, but it also reflects terribly on the students here. We have never, never seen the mural as anything of a racial or discriminatory nature, but we have supported and praised Mr. Plank for helping make our school look amazing and giving us such a positive inspiration. I know the students feel this way because I was there and I heard everyone's praise as they walked down the hallway and if Dr. Abalos feels that the Hispanic population should feel discriminated against, maybe he should stand by the mural and see the reaction it receives. Actually, the students of the ESL class that are the ones who stop and praise Mr. Plank's accomplishments the most.
It is an insult for Dr. Abalos to assume students are that ignorant to believe that the mural is some sort of racial propaganda. Mr. Plank has painted different historical events which have changed our lives and depicted people who have been our role models. The people represented in the mural are examples of courageous, inspiring individuals and should not be evaluated by the color of their skin, but for what they did with their lives and how they helped others.
The article, which was photocopied and dispersed from student to student, has only brought more students of various nationalities, especially Hispanic — many who have never even had him as a teacher — to come and compliment Mr. Plank and openly express how wrong they felt Dr. Abalos' views were. It is disappointing and upsetting that something as wonderful as the mural would be criticized so harshly, when we feel it is one of the most positive aspects of our school. The student body, as diverse as we are, have and will continue to respect and appreciate Mr. Plank's artistic expression; we support him and the mural 100 percent."
To the editor:
It is curious to understand the lack of creativity and understanding described in the myopic criticism of a Princeton professor of sociology toward a work of great importance in otherwise undifferentiated halls of a typical New Jersey high school. It is not difficult to sense the theme and dedication and, yes, love, of an art instructor toward the demographically diverse student body.
Mr. Plank devoted over 150 hours of his time along with many participating students to produce a masterpiece that raises the standards of the entire school in a way not seen in the halls of the most prestigious high schools of this state and perhaps the nation. Instead of focusing on his egocentric view of the world, Dr. Abalos should have suggested that this mural become a learning experience to be addressed in the history and humanities courses for future generations of students that pass through the Hightstown High School system.
Surely Dr. Abalos would not focus critical review of Michelangelo's creation of man on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel since it centers on the creation of man, without depicting a woman.
Mr. Plank's mural should be preserved as a wonderful gift that will continue to inspire students and faculty long after he has left the scene. For my part, I submit my sincere appreciation to Mr. Plank and challenge the humanities, history and sociology teachers at Hightstown High School to make use of this superb creation as a portal to examine the cultural history of all people on this planet earth.
Don Leibowitz
East Windsor
The writer is a professor of society ethics and technology at The College of New Jersey.
To the editor:
It is rare to find something for nothing in today's society. In a world where wealth determines social status and seems to reveal a person's own success, it is even more unique to come across someone willing to provide the very essence of his soul, a magnificent piece of art, to improve the quality and appearance of an entire community. As a student of Mr. Plank, (the art teacher responsible for the glorious mural in the Hightstown High School), I can testify to the fact that my teacher is someone who most certainly encapsulates these rare qualities.
When Mr. Plank first told me that he had been given the opportunity to paint a mural in our school, I could sense the sincere desire and enthusiasm to complete another brilliant masterpiece as one of his myriad contributions to Hightstown and Hightstown High. Aside from painting backdrops for after-prom parties, creating scenes and displays for high school events, spreading knowledge of art and art history to so many students, and most importantly sharing his motivation and inspiration with all who are there to listen, Mr. Plank was yet again embarking on his own personal effort to display the greatness and love that exists throughout all of humanity. Anyone who sees the finished product boldly displayed on the school corridor must agree that the mural does just that.
Through the eyes of a pessimist, one is able to find fault in every creation and living thing upon this earth. It is true that birds cannot swim and people cannot fly, but does that say that either one is lacking an essential part of its being? Every image on Mr. Plank's mural is part of our community and part of our world. The wall displays some of the greatest examples of life and all that this wonderful earth has to offer. It is an insult not only to Mr. Plank, but also to every individual in our vast community, to say that the work lacks any element of humanity. In reality, the mural includes every hope, dream and part of our heritage that lies within us all. The only true fault may come from a closed mind and an equally oppressed heart.
Matt Leibowitz
East Windsor
The writer is the president of Hightstown High School's senior class.
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