Comments on: KKK Article Has DiversityInc Readers Divided

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:19:39 +0000

As a social studies teacher, I agree with the last two writers. Teachers are also learners and deserve the leeway to make mistakes and learn from them. The most positive outcome for all of this is that the lessons students and teachers learn from the media fallout from this incident should be positive and not punitive.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:23:39 +0000

This may have passed if there had been prior dialogue in the school about what was going to take place and why; as well as dialogue after the reenactment about how it made the students feel, and constructive discussion addressing current issues of conflict or discrimination in the school/community. Being allowed as a class project without any notice or preparatory action was irresponsible on behalf of the teacher who allowed it. A very poor decision.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:00:14 +0000

Let’s get this straight from the start. I am a middle-aged white woman from Oregon. Here is my perspective on this incident. My sense is that the teacher who made the decision to allow the KKK robes in her classroom and in the hallways did so most unadvisably and without a thorough investigation into what the possible impacts would be on African American students and staff. He/She may have done this with good intentions but did not explore all of the possible consequences. In addition, were something like this to be proposed in my classroom, I would have consulted my African American friends whom I trust and respect for their opinions. Then, if they believed it to be appropriate or educational for all, I would have met with the students who were planning to don these shameful robes and prepare them for appropriate, empathic, sensitive and respectful behaviors towards all whom they encountered in the classroom and hallways. In other words, no joke-making or insensitive teasing, etc. That’s the part that is so bloody irritating to me. If a 16-17-year old student is going to wear this attire for a history presentation, then keep your mouth shut. It is NOT funny. It is NOT a joke. It was a hideous, agonizing, atrocious time in our history that continues even to our present history.

As an aside, I noticed that there were no African American students in the teacher’s classroom. Their voices were not heard, and that is not ok. Have you any idea of the radical increase in white supremecist groups in the U.S. since our President took office? It’s frightening and of profound concern to me.

Finally, it is not possible to know unequivocally the intent of this teacher in allowing this experiential history lesson to play out. I do offer my assessment that he/she was unwise, ill-advised and ill-prepared to allow and support this portrayal of history. I would be so interested in knowing his/her thoughts retrospectively.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:42:55 +0000

I think there are enough literature, films and other media resources that adequately depict this subject and there is no reasonable or logical need to teach it by live demonstration. Lumpkin County is very rural and not the most diverse, I question the true motives of this teacher and students in this incident. I agree that some disciplinary actions are in order.