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It has been a very trying 10 months or so, and finally the last set of meetings concerning the controversial book by Maya Angelou has concluded with the school board going into executive session to deliberate. Will the " Caged Bird " sing or will the school board find that the material is inappropriate for young readers. That is the question. For nearly the past two weeks the Taylors attempted to present a case of immorality based on their religious and personal beliefs that the book was of no literary value. After hearing testimony from the superintendent's witnesses on curriculum, the value of the book was firmly established. Mr. Burns the attorney who argued for the superintendent, methodically dealt with each objection of the Taylor's in a very professional manner. The truth is however that the " Plaintiffs " were prejudiced and failed to present any substantial evidence to suggest that the book be withheld from the honor student reading list. I do however find it ironic that individuals from the Edgewater, South County area several years ago also fought to have the area schools redistricted for the purpose of insuring that all minority children from public housing complexes within the Annapolis City limits were reassigned. I definitely see a pattern here. As a matter of fact I do believe that the Taylors attended some of those earlier meetings. Well it is time to await the decision from the school board. I hope however that they share in my vision that we must move forward. Our school system is an institution with a mandate to serve all of the area's school children regardless of socio-economic background; or race! It is one of the cornerstones of democracy and must be free from the biases of individuals who would rather it simply serve the status quo. Mainstream America must begin to understand that all of her stories should be told. This is no exception! In fact the curriculum today should be reviewed and challenged to insure that it meets the educational, sociological, psychological and physiological needs of all the children whose young minds to which they are intrusted today. I am confident that we will see more challenges in the future as the world attempts to heal her old wounds. Whenever the winds of change blow across the horizon; resistance isn't far behind...we must be ready and willing to advocate for equity in the materials that are taught our children. It fosters mutual respect and understanding instead of doctrines of superiority and inferiority. Education has been acclaimed to be a panacea for eliminating crime, reducing violence, achieving success, improving one's health as well as other important aspects of life. Since mis-education was a primary tool used to foster and promote racial intolerance and hatred, then education may undo that which has led to our present day attitudes. So why not let it do its job in race relations as well. I do have confidence that the school board will find the material suitable and support the superintendent's decision to uphold the committee's desire to keep the book in the ninth grade honors class. They should also consider adding a few books as well. The book " From Superman to Man " by J.A. Rodgers would be a excellent choice. "This is the greatest country under the sun but we must not let our love of country, our patriotic loyalty cause us to abate one wit in our protest against Right and Wrong." - Madame C.J. Walker August 1917 |