Dear Editor,
Wow! Talk about a
”
tempest in a teapot
”
or
”
much ado about nothing
”
or making
”
mountains out of molehills.
”
Some folks are really creative.
Dear Editor,
Wow! Talk about a “tempest in a teapot” or “much ado about nothing” or making “mountains out of molehills.” Some folks are really creative.
Here is how I view the Day of Silence that is creating such a stir. A teacher knows that this is discrimination, prejudice, false rumors, threats, lies, etc. etc. against a group, solely on the basis of their sexual orientation. The teacher plans to take ONE of her teaching days to quietly combat this problem. I envision her chalkboard on that day will be similar to this:
Today will be a quiet day. You are asked in this fifty minutes of silence to consider the following:
1. How does prejudice start? Consider the ways.
2. Can this discrimination on our campus be addressed? How?
3. Am I personally threatened? Why or why not?
4. Is my country in danger because of this? How?
5. How can I better understand the problem?
There will been NO test on your thoughts.
There may be MORE LEARNING in this manner than viewing movies or lecturing. Here is how Mr. Viarengo, according to his Letter to the Editor 2/23/06 would solve the problem:
1. He would endorse a philosophy “it is good to instill activism and civil disobedience on campus at an early age.”
2. For faculty who endorse the silence and introspection method of teaching, he favors “they be removed immediately and shamefully.” While not stated perhaps tar and feather could be added to their ordeal.
3. Regarding his comment about a threat on a teacher, he did NOT condemn the threat, only that it might make the “resolve of the sympathizers stronger.” Implied here is that it is O.K. to threaten as long as “our cause” is not weakened.
4. Mr. Viarengo again threatens the school board and the entire district by putting out a call to revolt on any more funds for education. He writes “vote against renewing ANY future bonds.”
5. Since I am an educater, and not a lawyer, I cannot comment on “free speech” and “in the workplace” etc. In my opinion he is now, and has been, so far from any educational merit that I’ll just assume he is wrong here also.
Rolf Bruckner, Gilroy
