DEAR EDITOR:
As the parent of two Gilroy High students, I was very disturbed
to read your front-page article Feb. 10 regarding the Drama
Showcase.
DEAR EDITOR:
As the parent of two Gilroy High students, I was very disturbed to read your front-page article Feb. 10 regarding the Drama Showcase. Several thoughts came to mind while reading the comments from various participants or audience members, and I applaud Principal Bob Bravo for looking into the situation.
Teacher Curt Meeker states that he would draw the line “when there are direct references to what … would be offensive to an audience or what would be uncomfortable to an audience.”
My question to Mr. Meeker is how does he check for such discomfort levels? I know if my son or daughter were offended or uncomfortable by the material, he or she would try to ignore the situation rather than risk bringing unnecessary attention to himself or herself over the issue. It is for students like them (and maybe more so for those without such discomfort) that adults need to step in and set reasonable limits.
Although no one would think of condoning or allowing any activity or action that offended someone’s religious or ethnic values, for some reason the same consideration is not given to offending others‚ moral values. Also, if Mr. Meeker would read further in the article, he would see that Miguel Castillo admits that “I felt kind of uncomfortable …” Isn’t this the very “line” Mr. Meeker says he will not cross? Who was watching out for students like Miguel?
There are those that will argue the plays are no big deal because the kids hear it all the time anyways, or, as Adrian Ruiz says, “It’s part of life.” Yes, and a lot of other undesirable actions are also a part of life, and we try to exclude these from the structured school environment. We do not allow cussing in class (or at least I didn’t as a substitute teacher), we expect the kids to respect each other and the teachers, and we avoid explicitly sexual conversations.
In spite of how Richard Padilla approaches his parenting responsibilities (“I treat him as an adult,” he said of his son), I believe my teenage children are still kids and that is how I want them treated. I believe I still know more than they do about what is best for them, and I believe they still deserve guidance from the people I entrust them to during the academic year. They have a lifetime to be adults, and I see no need for them to grow up faster than necessary.
I want school officials to step up to the plate and say “This is inappropriate,” so this burden does not fall on those we are charged with protecting, nurturing, and educating. As adults it is our responsibility to draw this line, set limits, and provide an environment where the moral values of our kids are respected rather than assaulted. Please Mr. Bravo, do what is right by the students in your charge and find a way to support drama without sacrificing propriety.
Alene Arribere, Gilroy
Submitted Tuesday, Feb. 10 to ed****@****ic.com
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
