“We have so many horror stories, itis good to see a success story which we could hope will teach the diverseEuropean Americans how to find their “white voice” and use it. The people who complained about this had a mixed viewpoint, but they succeededin part and received attention for how they did it which makes it a successstory that we need to duplicate everywhere. In other words, a model ofbehavior for us.” — News Contributor
A school principal hasapologized for showing a video at an assembly that a politicallyconservative group leader is calling “radical, leftist propaganda.”
Children at Eagle Bay Elementary School in Farmington were shown ashort video called “I pledge” on Aug. 28. The video opens with an imageof President Barack Obama and part of a speech in which he says, “Letus summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each ofus resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not onlyourselves but each other.” The video then features celebrities makingpledges about how they will help the president and the world — andthat’s where some say the problem lies.
Many pledges, such as supporting local food banks, smiling more, and caring forthe elderly are noncontroversial. But other pledges, such as “to nevergive anyone the finger when I’m driving again,” “to sell my obnoxiouscar and buy a hybrid” and to advance stem cell research cross the line,some say.
“Showing the video in apublic school is completely inappropriate,” said Jennifer Cieslewicz,whose daughter is a first-grader at the school. “I don’t believe avideo such as this that promotes certain values should be shown toelementary students, especially without parents being aware. ”
Chris Williams, Davis School District spokesman, said schoolprincipal Ofelia Wade and school PTA leaders decided to show the videoas part of an assembly about the school’s theme for the year, service.He said the PTA board chose the video and Wade did not see it before itwas shown in the assembly.
“It got to a point where she turned to her assistant and said,’Oops, I wish I would have seen this before. I don’t think I would haveshown it,’ ” Williams said. He said Wade could see how some adultsmight find the video political. (Political, no. Propaganda, yes. — Ed.)