If the Klan robes are revealing our sordid history, what’s the problem with historical reenactment?
Updated at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday with comments from the Anti-Defamation League.
Updated at 1:29 p.m. Tuesday with news on civil rights meeting today.
Without knowing the exact context of the school assignment, it is hard for me to get worked up over the four Lumpkin County students wearing Klan costumes. If the purpose of the class assignment was to show how cowardly, hateful and pathetic the Klan was, then I have no objections to the historic reenactment. I want students to see what guises hate has taken historically so they can recognize it today.
I would have asked the principal beforehand and likely sent a note home to parents, but all that may have happened in this case. It is not surprising that the sight of students in white robes would be startling, but I would want to see the finished product and whether it contributed to students learning about this dreadful part of American history.
A history teacher in Dahlonega was placed on administrative leave Monday after she let four students wear Ku Klux Klan outfits in a historical reenactment. Catherine Ariemma, a five-year veteran with the Lumpkin County school system, teaches an advanced placement history class at Lumpkin County High.
Her students were filming reenactments of various historical periods last week, and four donned Klan outfits, superintendent Dewey Moye told the AJC.
Students from other classrooms saw them as they walked through a hallway while wearing the costumes to an outdoor shoot, he said, adding that the parents of an African-American child later complained about it.
She said she continues to stand behind the video project and the lesson it was to convey to her students.
“This project was about racism in U.S. history,” Ariemma said. “Not just racism against African Americans, but racism as a whole.”
She said including the Ku Klux Klan was an essential piece.
“You cannot discuss racism without discussing the Klan,” she said. “To do so would be to condone their actions.”
She admitted that she may have made a mistake by letting the students film the Klan reenactment on campus.
“I feel terrible that I have students who feel threatened because of something from my class,” Ariemma told the AJC. “In hindsight, I wouldn’t have had them film that part at school.”
Ariemma is an award-winning teaching. Last year, the Georgia Senate passed a resolution lauding her “dedication to her students and her profession” after she was honored as Lumpkin County High School’s 2009 STAR Teacher. The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition program is sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators and recognizes teaching excellence.
Moye said Ariemma has never been reprimanded for missteps and that she has always been an “outstanding” teacher. But he said he could not ignore this incident.
She could lose her job over it.
The Anti-Defamation League weighed in Tuesday with this statement:
The Anti-Defamation League, today said that Lumpkin County School Administrators acted appropriately in ordering administrative leave for a teacher who allowed students to parade in Ku Klux Klan costumes in the school. The teacher, Catherine Ariemma, acknowledges now that it was a mistake to allow her students to walk through school in the Klan attire. “But,” said ADL Southeast Regional Director Bill Nigut, “unfortunately she should have known better than to allow it.”
“Some students tell us they were offended, others say they were frightened when confronted with fellow students dressed in Klan garb, one of the most toxic symbols of racism and religious bigotry in American history.” After a conversation with Lumpkin County Superintendent, Dewey Moye, Nigut said he was pleased that school officials recognize the seriousness of the incident. “We understand the teacher involved has had a stellar career but the school had no choice but to condemn her decision in this matter.”
And now there is a release about a meeting between Lumpkin school officials and civil rights activists Tuesday afternoon:
Civil and human rights leader Rev. Markel Hutchins has called a meeting today at 4:00 pm with Lumpkin County Schools Superintendent Dewey Moye, Sheriff Stacy Jarrard, County Commission Chairman Dr. John Radar, Dahlonega Mayor Gary McCollough and other officials to discuss the recent high-profile, racially tense incident of students wearing KKK attire at Lumpkin County High School in Dahlonega, a small city in North Georgia. The leaders will meet at the Lumpkin County School System and will emerge at approximately 5:00 pm to address the media.
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361 comments Add your comment
Maureen Downey
May 24th, 2010
9:27 pm
Lee. Please let us not even go there. If we can’t agree that the Klan represented the worse of human nature, then we are lost.
Maureen
hypocrites
May 24th, 2010
9:29 pm
It was a part of history! Blacks won’t let Americans forget about slavery, even though they need to get over it already. No current White American had one black enslaved. If this had been black kids dressing up in black panther outfits, nothing would have ever been mentioned.
Jesus loves you all!
May 24th, 2010
9:30 pm
Poor judgment on the part of what seems to be a great teacher! A video of the KKK would have served the same purpose. They show them on The History Channel all the time! God Bless us all!
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
9:42 pm
The kids learned that their TEACHER is being made an example of. I attended NGC and we Hung a Black Pledge in our “RED DOG SALOON” Play during the “GOLD RUSH DAYS” one year. Nobody said a word because that is what used to happen. We only did it once. He/the pledge want to do it. He understood the point we were making. The problem occured when we actually let him drop in the noose the first time. He passed out. The fear and the feeling of the rope on his neck shut his body down. We changed that part of the play. We didn’t need to do it again because it scared us all. If a stink had happened back in the late-80’s over this stunt there are many Army Officers that would never received a Commission.
Atlanta mom
May 24th, 2010
9:45 pm
Good grief people. These students are 17 years old, they are not in middle school. They should be bright students because they are in an AP class. And maybe they even learned something from this reenactment. Maybe they learned that just because the “klansmen” were in robes, they still recognized them. And how would you like to be terrorized by someone you know?
Proud Black Man
May 24th, 2010
9:48 pm
“I attended NGC and we Hung a Black Pledge in our “RED DOG SALOON”
You hung an uncle tom. No self respecting black man would ever let ANYONE place a rope around his neck. Ever!
dawgydawg47
May 24th, 2010
9:48 pm
Those who ignore history are destined to repeat it.
Why do we have to be so politically correct? Get over it people. It is definitely a divisive topic. That’s probably why this teacher tackled it so aggressively. She is making these kids actually think. Maybe we all need to take her class.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
9:48 pm
Maureen: the worst of humankind lives in AFRICA. The continuing genocide of Africans by other Africans is much worse than what the KLAN did. The Klan is used for WHITE GUILT. How many rappers or ghetto thugs of the same race shot each other today?
Atlanta mom
May 24th, 2010
9:49 pm
And bless this teacher for continuing to teach. The AP exams are long over and lots of teachers simply put on a movie for the last days of school. I guess some folks think that’s preferable.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
9:50 pm
Proud: I guess you have not seen any HOLLYWOOD movie that show this type of event ever happening? HAHAHHA You are too stupid to argue with about this.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
9:52 pm
PROUD what was the Movie with George Cloony that had the SOGGY BOTTOM BOYS and the Blue Grass music? I think a black actor had a noose around his neck, but he is an Uncle Tom for that HOLLYWOOD CASH rightt?
Laney
May 24th, 2010
9:54 pm
hypocrites,
The reality is the black panther party voiced their opinions through public demonstrations, threats, harassment, and violence — primarily against the local police force. This is clearly documented. The Klan, however, has been responsible for the documented and undocumented beatings and deaths of many african-americans — men, women and children. You cannot compare Black Panthers to the KKK. At any rate, it was inappropriate to wear KKK robes, and it’s easy for many to say ‘awww..that’s the past, it’s OK’, when your family member has never been on the receiving end of the KKK’s behavior.
Proud Black Man
May 24th, 2010
10:00 pm
@ Pi$$onaDAWG
I see your scatological tea (insert name that cannot be mentioned) ways have caught up with you. Complete frontal lobe separation.
Proud Black Man
May 24th, 2010
10:01 pm
@ Laney
The grafted snakes know they are crooked.
Educator2
May 24th, 2010
10:02 pm
The responses in support of this teacher and her “lesson” is a sad reflection of society and some people’s ability to rationalize the irrational acts of others for the sake of “history” or otherwise.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
10:03 pm
Laney Don’t wear Red or Blue or White or Olkand Raider stuff in the wrong areas or you will know GANG Violence. Don’t standup to the Dealers in your neighborhood or you will be on the receiving end of GANG behavior. I compare the Black Panthers to the armed forces of the new drug dealers. The Panthers Supported DRUGS in your communities when the “Revolution” was over and they had nothing to do.
Legend of Len Barker
May 24th, 2010
10:06 pm
Actually, the Klan had a rally a couple of months ago in Nahunta.
Based on the article, she didn’t inform as thoroughly as she should have as to what she was planning on doing.
Outside of that, I don’t see the problem. I don’t think we teach enough about the period between Reconstruction and the Civil Rights era in regards to how black citizens were treated in the South. Georgia had at least 400 lynchings between 1869 and 1939 and there are countless more articles about authorities having to move suspects because of the threat of being lynched. While not all of the lynching mobs were part of the KKK, there were probably some direct ties as the the resurrection of the Klan came out of another pivotal (and under-taught) incident in Georgia history, the lynching of Leo Frank in 1915.
Racism and agriculture were the very core of the South, how it considered itself and how it was considered by others. The Klan were a big part of it. It’s unfortunate that some don’t understand that learning the past is one of the best ways that we can better ourselves.
Gee
May 24th, 2010
10:19 pm
Lee you got to be jocking right. That was real funny what you wrote. How many kkk members went to jail or even stood trial for rape or murder? I bet almost none, since most of the police, sheriffs, judges and lawyers also wore white sheets. Lee when did they start keeping thoses statistics you are talking about? I bet there are no kkk members included.. What do you think.
Majii-NON FAN
May 24th, 2010
10:19 pm
Thank You Proud Black Man. Get a grip ‘Miss Majii’. You don’t have to bow down any more. You don’t have to try to smile when you are feeling the griping tears of hurt. Hold your head up high. Just repeat to your self ..’Never Again, Never Again,…..
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
10:20 pm
The New Klan is a Joke. The REAL NEW KLAN are the GANGS that are not about race as much as Territory held by a RACE and the money to be made.
MUSTANG100
May 24th, 2010
10:22 pm
All this is really about is rev. Hutchins’ getting some PR. There is a two-word phrase for rev.s like him and their drama, and the last word is O-U-T.
Laney
May 24th, 2010
10:26 pm
This blog is getting out of control
You guys are funny. Can we all just agree that the teacher should have given notice?
Proud Black Man
May 24th, 2010
10:27 pm
“The responses in support of this teacher and her “lesson” is a sad reflection of society and some people’s ability to rationalize the irrational acts of others for the sake of “history” or otherwise.”
“It is difficult at this day to realize the state of public opinion in regard to that unfortunate race which prevailed in the civilized and enlightened portions of the world at the time of the Declaration of Independence, and when the Constitution of the United States was framed and adopted; but the public history of every European nation displays it in a manner too plain to be mistaken. They had for more than a century before been regarded as beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race, either in social or political relations, and so far unfit that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.”
Unfortunately they are unable to remove the beam from his or her eyes.
Laney
May 24th, 2010
10:27 pm
Or a heads-up?
ShaunD
May 24th, 2010
10:39 pm
What? How ignorant can this teacher be? What did they get….A’s? I wonder whether the student(s) can sue for social endangerment/intimidation, harassment, hostile environment and anythang else they could come up with? No one wants a re-enactment of uprisings or revolts or do they? I say away with the meetings and get a lawyer and sue! That is the only way some people actually learn in life once their wallets are hit! That way they will become less arrogant-ignorant, less uninhibited, more educated and stop this feeling as if they are unstoppable or untouchable! “Reparations now and reparations forever….” LOL. By the way I thought terrorists/terrorism was supposed to get dealt with for real! Is this situation with this teacher and school any different? I am not one to fear KKK robes or any of that stuff and from what I understand not only are they a symbol of hate and anything “purely” evil, but aren’t they gang members, too? Where is that good ol’ law and campaign- against -crime committee? Is that not what they represent? So a good prosecution or charge should be brought against the teacher, the school district and the supe. Talkin’ and prayin’ has gone on long enough! This is a new day and new time and it is time to take some action! Now is the time to catch a case….non-violently…………..maybe…(smile)
Not Palin
May 24th, 2010
10:54 pm
Those who think this is fine would have no problem with black panthers, nazis, Nate Turner organization, Sadam sympathizers, AntiWhite Committee also walking around in school
Disrobing our history « Dead girl or live boy
May 24th, 2010
11:03 pm
[...] Downey at the AJC has opened her Get Schooled blog on the subject. The responses are half-filled with insight and half-filled with trolling and hate. [...]
Proud Black Man
May 24th, 2010
11:04 pm
Looking forward to see if this “exemplary” teacher is going to have her students dress up as suicide bombers as another paradigm concerning Afghanistan.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
11:07 pm
A Government School backed by the 1st Ammendment is stoping free speech. HAHAHAHAHAAH. The govt. can regulate free speach within their walls because if free speech was allowed then the CHRISTIANS could pray.
Maureen Downey
May 24th, 2010
11:10 pm
@Dawg, Christians can pray all they want in school. They just can’t do it on the loudspeaker or in front of the class to kick off first period. There is nothing stopping students from silent prayer all day long. Somehow, I don’t think it’s schools that are keeping teens from prayer and church.
Maureen
ShaunD
May 24th, 2010
11:11 pm
Oh yeah I forgot! I skimmed thru some of these comments after posting mine. For some folks just taking shots at only Afro-Americans it just goes to show how amazingly f**ed up, innately-insane and mentally psychotic and ignorant some of ya’ll are! I guess it is a Southern thang, is it? I thought the KKK was anti-anything Non-White? I would hate to have so many Non-Whites restraining their brains from just whuppin’ up on some ass! Now that “Whites” are no longer the so-called majority that is just way too many enemies to have. Native Americans, African-Americans, Jews, homosexuals, Asian-Americans, Catholics, “good” White-people, etc., etc! Ooh there is just not much else to do, huh? I am glad that I am not “White”. It is just not a good time for ya’ll! I am not one of those types that grew up around here nor born with the fear when I came down here but I sure have learned how stupid some of the so-called ol’ South can be at times!…..And about somebody using this forum to say certain remarks about “Blacks” only? Sounds like an original. He must have never went anywhere else in life. Come on out to South Central and talk that sh** BOY! What does wearing KKK robes discussion have to do with stating your little tantrums about how and what all “Black” people do? I thought this sh** was supposed to be edited? That was a direct hit and I am not one to take it! $$$…..&%mf…@#xyz!bleepbleep…. oh i edited this comment for you, AJC.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
11:13 pm
TEACHER please have the kids come to school with HUGE Machetes and chop the heads off american soldiers. Show the 7-14 year old boys in Africa killing their own family members. TRUTH HURTS. Please show the RAP STARS killing TuPAC and BIGGIE. Blacks want to cry when it is WHITE on Black CRIME, but IGNORE BLACK on BLACK crime.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
11:15 pm
To form a hand held ring around a Table in the lunchroom and makeing a Prayer over their MEAL is not allowed.
Maureen Downey
May 24th, 2010
11:17 pm
@ShaunD. Despite the edits, you still ended up in the filter. I am freeing your comment but brace yourself.
Maureen
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
11:23 pm
Maureen: I didn’t see ONE person Walking in SELMA. I didn’t see 1 person at the Woolsworth Lunch Counter. I didn’t see ONE student walking into ALABAMA. I did see 1 Rosa Parks on the front of the bus. Why should Christians have to pray as ONE when the BLACKS busted barriers with the MULTITUDES.
DB
May 24th, 2010
11:23 pm
The parent was “offended” at kids wearing sheets? Boy, I bet they spend every Halloween in a frenzy.
Does anyone involved in this actually think that the teacher is trying to establish a Student KKK Club at Lumpkin County High School? This is a HISTORY lesson, for heaven’s sake. If anything, all this misplaced hysteria just goes to illustrate the phenomenon of “mass hysteria”. Racism and bigotry was not the goal here — the teacher was trying to illustrate a sordid and unpleasant part of history. However, the misplaced outrage over this, especially if it leads to her dismissal, will go a long way towards fueling very real bigotry and resentment — THAT should be instructional.
I saw the video of the principal (or was it the superintendent?) who sat stiffly at his desk and intoned on public media that she had “obviously” used “poor judgement.” Sorry, it’s not that obvious. Gee, way to back your teachers — good to know you’ve got their back. Why bother with a “demonstration”? The students are about to get a first-hand viewing of a real, modern lynching. Sheesh.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 24th, 2010
11:28 pm
DB the Black students and parents will never see that. I bet most back the Mom and Daughter the kill many people last EASTER and tried to hid the car and fix it.
Just a Thought
May 24th, 2010
11:36 pm
Maureen,
I am a high school history teacher and I am all for tackling the controversial topics. I grew up with stories of the KKK terrorizing my family. I have an older family member who was shot in the leg when he was just a baby by the Klan when they attacked the family home. Thank God he survived but he limped for the rest of his life…a permanent visual reminder for the following generations regarding the Klan.
I don’t doubt that Ms. Auriemma was sincere and had no malicious intent. She probably has the best rapport with her students. However, I can also see how this would upset a parent especially if their family history is even remotely similar to mine.
Also understand, many of the perpetrators are still alive and have never been brought to justice. There was no Truth and Reconciliation Commission or Nuremberg Trials for African Americans. There was no closure from the terrorizing events for many victims. The wound is still raw so I understand the concern. I do wish we would talk more openly about race in our schools but it has to be done carefully because the wound has been allowed to fester unchecked for so long.
I do not place blame on those who were not involved with the KKK or slavery. To do so would be illogical. I do however disdain the attitude of “get over it, it happened so long ago” Not true. For many African American families the last slave ancestor can be as near as a great grandparent depending on your age. As I stated before, my grandparents have vivid memories of the Klan. That is living memory not dead history. That is not so long ago.
For me, institutionalized racism is a historical fact that needs to be treated as such. What we need is admittance on both sides. For White America (as a whole, some are further along than others) to be brave enough to stop running from this period in history by trying to ignore or trivialize it and for Black America to be brave enough to let the wounds heal whether people ever apologize for it or not.
plc
May 24th, 2010
11:41 pm
PDawg…any student-led prayer IS allowed as long as it follows school rules. We had a prayer group that met at the beginning of each lunch period when I was in high school. We have several groups like that at my school now, as well.
to the rest of the posters…SERIOUSLY? These posts are why racism is still alive. PBM, get over yourself with tea… and lobotomies. While I agree with you sometimes, the minute you go to comments like that, it takes you down to their level and takes away any arguments you had.
The hatred the KKK, Nazis, and gangs represent shouldn’t be ignored in order to not repeat history and to honor the victims. However, I don’t think the issue lies solely with the teacher here. I think these students could have easily shot a movie that shows the hatred off campus or even in one classroom if it was necessary and educational. They immaturely chose to walk across campus for the shock value. Anyone who has ever taught high schoolers should be able to realize this – they don’t think and want to stand out.
Maureen Downey
May 24th, 2010
11:42 pm
@pic, The story now has comments from the teacher and she said she walked with the kids through the school en route to the filming site outside the building.
Maureen
Proud Ariemma Student!
May 24th, 2010
11:48 pm
Mrs. Ariemma has been one of the greatest teachers I have ever had. This project is apart of the course and @proud black man this is an AP class we are apart of. This means we learn at a college level which is above high school standards. Every thing we learn is in more in depth and this was simply a project doing exactly that. I know the students who were apart of this “KKK Klan” and they include minorities which were targeted by the actual klan. Their project was poking fun at racism and the KKK. You think you are offended? I am offended for my teacher, my friends and myself for being accused of racism.
@proud Black Man “Looking forward to see if this “exemplary” teacher is going to have her students dress up as suicide bombers as another paradigm concerning Afghanistan.”
How dare you post this comment! Unless you were apart of my class you have no room to comment on my teacher or my friends!
plc
May 24th, 2010
11:49 pm
Never mind, then. I guess I should apologize to those students! However, that does place even more blame on the teacher. I see where she wanted to go, but it just seems too far with this type of topic. I still want to know more about the assignment and purpose – I’ll have to keep reading.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 25th, 2010
12:06 am
Why don’t all the RICH BLACK SLAVE Bit..h and wine? The Pro Athlete is an Owned SLAVE.
Proud Black Man
May 25th, 2010
12:07 am
“and @proud black man this is an AP class we are apart of.”
? another case of frontal lobe separation
“How dare you post this comment! Unless you were apart of my class you have no room to comment on my teacher or my friends!”
Its called the 1st amendment little tea (insert the name that cannot be mentioned). Try to be “a part” of a civilized society.
majii
May 25th, 2010
12:29 am
My previous comment had nothing to do with “bowing down” to anyone. My comment was based on my view of, education, training, and experience in, the field of education as a social studies teacher. Someone actually involved in the field would invariably have a different opinion than one who has never worked in it, hence, the off-topic comments regarding the Black Panthers, the NAACP, African American scholarship opportunities, Al Sharpton, beauty pageants geared toward African Americans, etc. I believe that the Black Panthers and the NAACP should also be studied to determine their effect(s) on this country. There’s a big difference between viewing a topic from a professional POV and viewing it from an emotional one based on one’s prejudices and interpretations of it with an intent to smear it or show disdain for it. The former is a search for truth and knowledge while the latter is uninformed venting, adding nothing substantive to the topic under discussion.
Proud Black Man
May 25th, 2010
12:36 am
This is better then watching Rand Paul back pedal!
DB
May 25th, 2010
12:37 am
@majii, I bet you rocked as a teacher! I think there may be a job opening pretty soon at Lumpkin — interested?
sac
May 25th, 2010
1:04 am
Great teaching!!! Yes, I’m African American!!! I wish she had notified others of her project, but the end results should be a teaching tool as well. The reactions from students, now teach them how to ignore certain situation without violence and REMEMBER FOR EVERY ACTION THERE IS A REACTION!!! If you dont agree with something TALK IT OUT!!! When you focus on whats in front of you.. u give them power.
Proud Ariemma Student!
May 25th, 2010
1:22 am
@Proud Black Man That comment is libel on my teacher and my classes judgement and you know it.
This whole thing has been blown out of proportion and the media has reported false information they received by students who were not even involved in the class.
Thank you Plc. I appreciate the apology but my teacher has done nothing wrong as well.
Our class was assigned as our final a video project. This is a project done every year as a final for APUSH class and the student body watches these videos and clearly know when they are going on. I should know since I look forward to watching these videos every year. This project allows us as the students to pursue topics in US History that caught our eye and made us think. The students group up and we pick a broad enough topic that we can do an entertaining but informative video.
That group choose to show the horrors of racism throughout our country (which also includes every other race and religion excluding WASPS). Their “uniforms” were constructed from bed sheet and spongebob party hats. They were difficult to put on so they simply decided to walk quickly through the hall and out to where they were filming. Every other student except for Cody Rider felt it was funny and clearly connected it to the films which once again everyone knew about. Also it must be pointed out that Cody is known to have a hot head over everything and often seeks out attention.
We as a class, including our teacher, have apologized if we offended anyone but this entire story is fabricated out of our small town’s need for gossip and drama.
Nabe
May 25th, 2010
4:15 am
@Proud Ariemma Student!
How interesting that you feel obliged to target the black Cody Rider with innuendos and character besmirching descriptors while defending your teacher from the same.
Methinks you doth protest too much, the simple fact is – southern whites (bet you are white too) generally seem unable to grasp the enormity or the damage they have done and continue to do today to the psyche of African-Americans in that region. I suppose living with such casual daily racial animus does dull the sensibilities and concience – afterall some of your best preachers were KKK too,