Dear Editor:
Well, I was hoping to write a letter for all of Ms. Ota’s sixth
period class, but I must now write one that states my personal
feelings.
Dear Editor:
Well, I was hoping to write a letter for all of Ms. Ota’s sixth period class, but I must now write one that states my personal feelings.
We, as a class, came together with our teacher Thursday, May 27 to discuss our thoughts.
First, Ms. Ota struggled with words to show us her caring and her hatred of all violence and war. But she was followed by the tears of the four students who went public with their misconceptions. There was no malicious intent in their actions, only disgust at the sensationalism of the world media.
How can these actions, such as the beheading of Mr. Berg, occur? Both Ms. Ota and the four students were steadfast in their detestation of violence, and there was no doubt of this in my mind.
The class incident with the video was a mistake. Many of the class wrongly assumed that Ms. Ota had knowledge of the video as it was being watched.
Some of those who wrongly assumed this were upset by the willingness of students to watch such a movie, and they left the class to calm down. Some told their families of this and that is how it was blown out of proportion. The students only wished to relieve their thoughts to family members. Unfortunately, word spread from there outward, where it reached the media.
Caught up in controversy, how is a student, or anyone, expected to react? They are overwhelmed and suddenly a storm brews.
The storm fell on Ms. Ota, and now it falls on the four students who came forward. Tears rained in class Thursday, because these five wanted all to be forgiven. Ms. Ota said, “I try to live my life so that I never have to say sorry.” Well, I know for a fact that the four students now caught up in the issue are saying sorry as profusely as they can. But you know what? Ms. Ota wants all of this to end, she does not wish for apologies. She wants credibility restored to everyone, including those who unintentionally hurt her. She wants her students to end their senior year without classroom division. She knows those who came forward made a mistake, they regret it, and they will tell anyone that they misconceived the situation, because they did. I did, and I was in the classroom the whole time.
I know the class as a whole, and we all wish for this ordeal to be over, so that everyone can walk forward in the day without fear of hatred being directed their way. I cannot show anyone the tears of these five Thursday, but they were plentiful and heart wrenching. Ms. Ota and the four students all have my respect, and they deserve yours.
Randy O’Connor, Gilroy
Submitted Friday, June 4 to ed****@ga****.com
