Posted on 08/19/2002 10:32:43 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
As we approach the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, what should we teach our children about the most devastating terrorist massacres in history?
According to recommendations provided by the nation's largest teacher's union, the most important points to emphasize involve the importance of "tolerance" and "diversity." The National Education Association links its website to a detailed list of "Tips for Parents and Schools Regarding the Anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001," prepared by Dr. Brian Lippincott of John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, Calif. Professor Lippincott insists that commemorative programs must avoid any suggestion that Islamic fanaticism can be blamed for the attacks, and that the most important way to protect ourselves from future assaults is to embrace all religions and sexual orientations.
Actually, the "Key Messages" recommended in his paper for anniversary celebrations include such politically correct nostrums as the declaration that "Violence and hate are never solutions to anger" and "America is strong because of our diversity," and "History shows us that intolerance only causes harm." According to Professor Lippincott, the prime example of such "intolerance" involves America's monstrous crimes against its own citizens. "We must not repeat terrible mistakes," he writes, demanding discussion of "historical instances of American intolerance. Internment of Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor and the backlash against Arab Americans during the Gulf War are obvious examples."
Examples of what, precisely? Of America's unprecedented goodness and generosity? Even at the height of the Gulf War (and, so far, during the War on Terror), Arab Americans experienced no significant "backlash" – continuing to enjoy full civil rights and to sustain the conspicuous success that has characterized this hard-working ethnic group for nearly a century.
The NEA materials not only lie about past persecution of Islamic Americans, but also offer a grotesque distortion of current world affairs. Among the "Tips for Parents and Teachers," Lippincott suggests that we must "Address the issue of blame factually … Do not suggest any group is responsible." In other words, educators should avoid the implication that al-Qaida and the worldwide network of Islamic fanatics had something to do with the slaughter of Americans. "We have no reason to believe that the attacks on our country were part of an organized plan of any other country," the curriculum materials insist. "The terrorists acted independently without the sanctions of any nation."
What about Afghanistan, which welcomed Osama bin Laden as an "honored guest"? What about Saudi Arabia, which continues to raise money through telethons and the royal family to support international terrorism? What about Iraq, which lavishly praised the 9-11 attacks as a heroic blow against America?
According to the education establishment, we should avoid such unpleasant observations because "protecting against harassment of our Arab American classmates and neighbors is most critical right now. … We must embrace these values toward all Americans for all time. This includes race, religions, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and those with special needs."
Such pronouncements might seem merely ludicrous and laughable were they not so pathetically representative of the moral relativism that dominates elite opinion less than a year after 9-11. America remains the most tolerant and generous of nations, and incidents of persecution of Muslims and Arab Americans remain blessedly rare and relatively mild. Nevertheless, the relativists use paranoia over potential anti-Arab frenzy to stifle any honest discussion of patently dangerous – and deadly – elements in Islamic tradition.
Even the most cursory examination of the contemporary Muslim world would reveal profound religious and cultural dysfunction, with abject poverty, gross violation of human rights, and some of the most corrupt and vicious dictatorships on earth. The National Education Association, however, insists that teachers ignore these realities, because calling attention to them might undermine the unquestionable assumption that no religious tradition is more destructive, and no culture is more admirable, than others.
The most striking aspect of the materials promoted by the NEA involves the utter absence of any patriotic or pro-American messages – indeed, the only suggestion about emphasizing our history involves discussing "historical instances of American intolerance." In this "Alice-in-Wonderland" world of political correctness, we are supposed to mark the Sept. 11 anniversary with no mention of the brave people in our military who continue to risk their lives to protect our safety, and no hint as to why American values under present assault might be worth preserving and defending.
In the midst of World War II, a few Americans actively sympathized with the enemy – the pro-Mussolini poet Ezra Pound, and the Japanese propagandist Tokyo Rose come readily to mind. No one suggested, however, that we must avoid blaming Germany or Japan for the war because to do so might encourage "intolerance" of the Nazis or Axis sympathizers in our midst.
Let American Muslims declare their loyalty to this country, and their horrified rejection of Islamic fanaticism in all its forms. Indeed, most (but not all) Muslims in this country have taken precisely that stand. But it makes no sense to invoke the mantras of "diversity" and "inclusion" as a basis for denying the clear moral elements in this current struggle, or ignoring the obvious contrast between America and our bloodthirsty enemies. Tolerance may represent a worthy value, but it is evil and destructive to tolerate the intolerable.
Excuse me, what have sexual orientations got to do with 9/11?!!! As for embracing all religions, it is my right as an American citizen to NOT embrace any religion but my own. I will tolerate other people's religious beliefs so long as their beliefs don't involve the ultimate goal of a violent "holy war against anyone who doesn't believe like them," instituting a barbaric 7th-Century set of laws that includes stoning to death of adulterers and lopping off the limbs of criminals, subjugation, enslavement and murder of those who won't convert to their way of thinking. There's a religion that falls under all of those things and it ain't, IMHO, a religion of peace. I studied and read this religion's holy books and history long before a group of its followers decided to take it literally and engage in a war against me, my family, friends and fellow citizens on 9/11!
I will never, ever forget how millions of the so-called "peaceful followers" of this religion gloated, danced in the streets and worshipped the acts of these fiends. Lippencott and his NEA swine want to deny the frenzied celebrations and deny the videotapes of Osama Bin Laden and his Al Queada people praising 9/11 as a great victory against the West! The NEA wants teachers to not call 9/11 an act of terrorism or pin the blame on anyone...unless it is the nasty, evil US. (Maybe Israel...but that's too easy.) Oh, no, that would not be polite or politically-correct. It might hurt the feelings of the people responsible or their supporters who took ghoulish delight in the events of 9/11.
Thank goodness that my son is homeschooled. He won't be subjected to this PC, morally-relative, BLAME AMERICA garbage that the public schools spew forth in the name of "tolerance" and "diversity" on September 11th.
No, professor. The best way to protect ourselves from future assaults is to utterly annihilate every single Islamist regime that either perpetrates or supports terrorism, round up every Muslim non-citizen in the U.S. and send them back to whence they came, and place the National Guard on our borders to help protect us against further invasion. Capiche?
As a former high school teacher, I can attest to the fact that most teachers teaching in public schools today are just plain incompetent. Most...not all. Hey folks, the system is broke...anything that can weaken the educrats and their bedfellows is justified - homeschooling,vouchers, even dropping out of school ad taking the GED or getting a high schol diploma via the 24 hour college credit approach.
Drop them a note on how you really feel. I did and it made me feel better - for awhile.
Of course, my son never believed that something like 9/11 would ever happen or that millions of Muslims world wide would joyfully give it a thumbs up. The so-called "moderate," "tolerant" Muslims who were disgusted and shocked by 9/11 were not very numerous or vocal in their condemnation. (Lame, loosely-worded condemnations, immediately followed by even lamer excuses and blame against Israel and the US don't count!) The more enlightened Muslims appear to be in hiding from their more numerous fanatical brothers and sisters.
Hopefully, my son will also point out that not much has happened with Islamic culture since the 12th Century. Modern Islamic society is rife with corruption, ignorance, women-degradation, poverty, violence, religious intolerance and a Nazi-like obsession with the Jews! I will also have him enclose his excellent report on Whabbism.
I am very lucky that I live in a pretty conservative town (went greater than 80% Bush in 2000). And I praise my sons teachers for their honesty and integrity during and after last years terrorist attack. In fact if it weren't so conservative, my son wouldn't be there.
This is the perfect oppurtunity for parents to remember that they are in charge of their children's education, and if it isn't up to your values, get them out of that school.
Great advice. It would be even more wonderful if more students were made aware of this disgusting mindset by caring parents the night before.
I have another idea. On September 11, students should bring in a copy of the NEA "9/11 talking-points" and take it apart word for word. Parents can teach them how to debate in a calm, knowledgeable manner. It may be casting pearls before swine, but at least some teachers will realise that not every child is going to fall for NEA lies and propaganda! Now, that's what I would call an education!
...However, San Jose's own Brian Lippincott, associate professor of psychology at JFK University, calls grouping people close together for long periods a "time-honored method of indoctrination," used since the days of the Roman centurions. "And then you're tired on the second or third day," he says, "and you lose your independent thought process, and the things you're hearing become internally consistent. You kind of lose the ability to check out-- 'Are these assumptions really true?' If I get you to accept three or four premises, then all these things would follow from those assumptions.
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