Alan Shilepsky wrote: > I pity an immigrant kid coming into the Minneapolis schools who is > encouraged to see only bad in his new country's past (the indians, the > slaves, the voteless women, rape of the environment, the railroad > barons, etc., ad nausium), and is encouraged to think of whence the > child came as a promised land that epitomized values that will show > America the way.
Rosalind Nelson wrote: Would someone who works or has children in the Minneapolis schools please comment on whether in fact children are taught predominantly bad things about the U.S.? Catherine Shreves responds: I do have 2 children in the Minneapolis Public Schools, and no, they are not taught "predominantly bad things about the U.S." I would say that in their history classes, they have come away with an understanding that our country was founded on principles and ideals of liberty and equality. Also, that a major part of the history of this country has been the history of broadening those ideals to include those people who were initially disenfranchised, e.g., women and people of color. This continual re-defining of and broadening of the principles and ideals of equality are the real promise of America. I am struck by it when I see, as I did last week at school district budget hearings, our foreign born students who have been empowered under our governmental systems (and through student government), to advocate for their beliefs (and of course :-)) programs. Catherine Shreves Minneapolis School Board _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
