tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post1334507247582935856..comments2009-02-19T22:55:27.782-05:00TheTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07006280180570422090noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-65136808707133050932009-02-19T22:55:00.000-05:002009-02-19T22:55:00.000-05:00Interesting so many people are calling people in MS illiterate and backwards. In the article it says-<BR/>"Magee High School teachers read a memorandum in class the day after the election. It stated, "Seeing history in the making and being a part of that process is a wonderful thing. Many of you are excited because of this. Others are not. It is absolutely critical that we not use this election as a divisive event. We should respect one another by not saying or doing things in the wrong way that would take away from this historical event and possibly cause a disruption here at school. Celebrations at school that cause disruptions are not acceptable and against the law therefore, this should not occur. Please by mindful of this and respect one another regardless of differences in opinion." Simpson County school officials say a disruption on campus led to the statement."<BR/><BR/>Where does that say "Don't say Obama"? Is it possible that high school students heard this and blew it out of proportion in the retelling? As a high school teacher I can tell you that is the most probable expanation. Particularly considering the way people here have taken the actual story and distorted it....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-86544441087173923062009-02-07T18:15:00.000-05:002009-02-07T18:15:00.000-05:00Did no one actually *read* the article? Clearly the press release was taken out of context OR was summarized word of mouth incorrectly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-42903619926306130772008-12-10T00:01:00.000-05:002008-12-10T00:01:00.000-05:00I'm going to assume that the students were causing a disruption. Whether it was Obama, Busch, or Burger King, students need to realize that if they interfere with the right of any student to learn or with the right of any teacher to teach, no matter what they are supporting, it is wrong. Even saying the new President's name.<BR/><BR/>Sorry, got to go with the school on this one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-83329493811373896402008-11-27T18:45:00.000-05:002008-11-27T18:45:00.000-05:00If you take away the skin color on either Bush or Obama all you have left is just another politian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-5075932921275138742008-11-17T13:03:00.000-05:002008-11-17T13:03:00.000-05:00I am a high school teacher in Mississippi. My classes had some interesting discussions about the election both before and after votes were counted and Mr. Obama won our mock election with more than 80% of the school-wide vote. Bulletin boards displayed in the halls featured summaries of the candidates' positions and students have shown their support with t-shirts and stickers for both candidates. PLEASE stop treating every Mississippian as a backwards redneck because a few idiots keep making the news. It's extremely hurtful to read some of the comments people make about my home, because the whole state isn't 'backwards', 'less-evolved' or 'a pocket of ignorance.' <BR/><BR/>Yes, this story is appalling. Please remember that even some of the locals are appalled. Please remember that saying hurtful things is not excused because the words are directed at someone you consider backwards.Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03281270785673092930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-86762815622555138072008-11-17T06:28:00.000-05:002008-11-17T06:28:00.000-05:00I wonder how they will teach current events in the future? And we wonder why other countries are moving past us on so many levels. Sometimes I wonder if we aren't taking a step backwards.loonyhikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05378360383088143368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-22277825560803367312008-11-16T18:10:00.000-05:002008-11-16T18:10:00.000-05:00Ridiculous.<BR/><BR/>The newspaper in Terrell, TX (just outside of Dallas) didn't even mention that Obama had won in the 11/5 edition. Their main headline was the triumph of a local congressman.Mister Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797744114515551901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-25318295770590240392008-11-14T15:06:00.000-05:002008-11-14T15:06:00.000-05:00It is outrageous that students in Mississippi can't mention Mr. Obama's name. This is probably as outrageous as a number of school teachers that have condemned students that expressed support for John McCain at school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-10787429957423359332008-11-13T00:51:00.000-05:002008-11-13T00:51:00.000-05:00I teach (and blog) in Mississippi, and yes, the report you cite is true. Do be careful about overgeneralization, however. It's not like all students at all schools in the state are being restricted. And, truth be told, there were probably some other places around the U.S. where students excited about Obama had to tred carefully. In fact, I noticed that even among Black adults, the celebrations of Obama's victory were muted and private. It reminded me of what it must have been like for my parents' generation when Joe Louis won the heavy-weight title. MS has made some significant progress in some areas, but changing laws doesn't change attitudes. That's why there's education. Be glad to talk more with you about what is and isn't happening here in education. Visit me at TeachMoore on the Teacher Leader Network site.TeachMoorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010964521855355122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-33953865737310927552008-11-12T23:51:00.000-05:002008-11-12T23:51:00.000-05:00Calhoun City Mississippi's principal told all the students they were not allowed to say OBAMA... Jr. High and High School. I don't understand why. Can we as parents fight thisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-10801122074954584412008-11-12T23:01:00.000-05:002008-11-12T23:01:00.000-05:00Could it be possible that the students were causing a commotion by chanting Obama's name? This is what occurred in my school. We didn't ban them from mentioning Obama's name at all, but we did remind them that there were proper times and proper ways to express support for the President-Elect, and thus told them to stop saying his name at that time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-25631098532651537352008-11-12T17:18:00.000-05:002008-11-12T17:18:00.000-05:00SAY WHAT?!? Barack Obama's second order of business (after getting us out of Iraq) is to take over Mississippi's government and introduce them to the 21st CENTURY. Forget Iraq, how about introducing democracy and some honest republicanism (country based on law, not racist whims) to Mississippi.Harry R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02744633840542325890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-24981865882043256992008-11-10T23:11:00.000-05:002008-11-10T23:11:00.000-05:00Well, I'm glad I visited your site - indeed very interesting. This incident is so appalling, but again we should be patient and help those in pockets of ignorance to learn.Omymahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17934478510394910840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-83367401957544197782008-11-10T19:23:00.000-05:002008-11-10T19:23:00.000-05:00In my blog I wrote about a concept I call Diversity Natives and Diversity Immigrants (ala Prensky’s Digital concept). The Diversity Natives are the younger generation that are less likely to be immersed in segregated schools, communities, and other environments then previous generations. I also contend this generation is more likely to be exposed to Diversity because as Digital Natives (or closer to it), their virtual/online worlds allow them to experience and gain exposure to a Diverse existence that comes from participating in environments raceless screennames or avatars are brought together by interests and ideas rather than race, creed, or color. Obama tapped into this market of current and future voters who he was addressing in these worlds. However, we know that there are still places largely devoid of environments conducive to the existence of Diversity Natives. As a result, we see pockets of our past where a less-evolved society exists. Of course it is our Digital Natives who often know more then their elders who in this case are trying to impose silence. While they can do so in the classroom, I wonder what might be happening online. Like you, I too hope the ACLU becomes involved. I am interested to see how this story progresses. <BR/><BR/>For my take on the Diversity Native/Immigrant concept you can visit my blog on educating innovatively at http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/11/digital-and-diversity-natives_05.html. <BR/><BR/>Lisa NielsenThe Innovative Educatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07759123507185453030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-80220695082265209442008-11-08T20:17:00.000-05:002008-11-08T20:17:00.000-05:00I'd like to know where in the student handbook the policy is about not being allowed to talk about future presidents.james pnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-90958209119140602692008-11-08T20:13:00.000-05:002008-11-08T20:13:00.000-05:00At first I wasn't sure if I read this right, but unfortunately it's true. Is it that backwards in Mississippi? Ive never been there and after reading this really have no plans to do so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3864625846150833374.post-41167127472534927232008-11-08T20:02:00.000-05:002008-11-08T20:02:00.000-05:00That's it! I've officially heard it all now. This is crazy.724teachernoreply@blogger.com