Cobb controversy over “Islamizing” of public school curriculum escalates
There is a storm brewing over the polygamy/Islam component of a Georgia social studies script that I wrote about earlier today. I have sent DOE an e-mail asking for a statement because the controversy, which began with one father’s concerns, is mounting as bloggers take up arms against the presentation of polygamy in a middle school lesson. No word yet from DOE.
Their complaint is that the lesson praising the quality of life for women under Shariah or Islamic law and behind the veil in the form of a cheery letter from a young Muslim woman fails to present any counterbalance. Blogger Pamela Geller posts the actual lesson here on her Atlas Shrugs blog.
Meanwhile, Marietta Daily Journal columnist Laura Armstrong addresses the issue in her piece on “‘Islamizing’ America’s public school curriculum.” Here is an excerpt, but you can read her full piece here.
The controversy began last week, when the MDJ broke the story of a Campbell Middle School parent going public, questioning a lesson linking Middle Eastern culture with the school’s dress code. The seventh grade teacher involved used a portion of a lesson that seemed to promote Islam. School officials responding to the parent’s complaint told education writer Lindsay Field that they had looked at the lesson and re-evaluated its appropriateness and context.
“The dad was correct,” Area Superintendent Dale Gaddis explained. “Since then, we’ve decided to select better materials. The issues that we had, we actually took care of. We worked with the teacher … and with our curriculum folks to verify the material and how it should be used.”
But instead of putting the issue to rest, the red flags did not stop unfurling around the blogosphere among people concerned about creeping shariah, stealth jihad and encroachment of Islamic tenets into America’s public schools. The supplemental materials in question, created by Roswell-based InspirEd Educators, Inc., were copyrighted, and the MDJ reprinted some short excerpts with permission. But it was the intrepid freedom fighter Pamela Geller who found more on the Henry County school district’s website and re-posted for her national audience.
Meanwhile, “My name is Ahlima” was the lesson our kids were assigned. Written in a narrative style reminiscent of the popular American Girl doll stories, Ahlima is a fictional, 20-year-old woman who loves life under the abuyah (black veil) and promotes a rosy and incomplete picture of life as an Islamic woman to our impressionable seventh-graders. Her words go far beyond fashion advice or culture. Ahlima feels safe under Shariah law and lectures well on its virtues — but forgets its evils.
To be sure, Ahlima’s disrespect for Western women is apparent to adults. The character brags about her upcoming marriage (she’ll be the second wife, as though seventh-graders really get that) and promotes Islamic polygamy “because the prophet was trying to raise women up. He was very loving to women when many other men in his day were not.”
There’s a lot more, and CCSD spokesman Jay Dillon did confirm that the lesson in question is being used in other districts around Georgia. He also reminded me that Cobb parents had the opportunity to review the supplemental materials, the same way we can review textbooks. Which leads me back to our lone parent whistle blower. What a service he’s done for us all.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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96 comments Add your comment
Tina Trent
September 27th, 2011
10:03 am
Again, it’s not just parents who can review textbooks. Anyone can review textbooks. Every state taxpayer — and frankly all federal ones, too — are paying for these materials. School policy is not limited to parents of current students.
I think it’s very important not to pretend as if this is some isolated incident. Take a look at this stuff masquerading as “syllabi”:
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/25_04/25_04_weiss.shtml
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/25_04/25_04_lyman.shtml
Sound extreme (unhinged)? Thousands of educators, including many in Georgia, use this site and others like it to to produce ideology-drenched “lessons” for children. Meanwhile, PBS is still using our tax dollars to churn out emotionally coercive, politicized and biased lesson plans every week, and these are being brought into classrooms by teachers throughout Georgia.
Cobb controversy over “Islamizing” of public school curriculum escalates – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) - Israeliblue™
September 27th, 2011
10:10 am
[...] Cobb controversy over “Islamizing” of public school curriculum escalatesAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)There is a storm brewing over the polygamy/Islam component of a Georgia social studies script that I wrote about earlier today. I have sent DOE an e-mail asking for a statement because the controversy, which began with one father's concerns, …Georgia middle schoolers learn 'positives' of Sharia lawExaminer.comMan Accuses Daughter's Homework of Promoting IslamGawkerGa. Dad: 7th-Grade Homework Promotes IslamNewsMax.comBig Government -Bikya Masr -Fox Newsall 12 news articles » [...]
Dunwoody Mom
September 27th, 2011
10:18 am
Hey, raise your hand if you watch “Sister Wives” on TLC????? The show gets big ratings. Is that okay because they are “American”?
Fled
September 27th, 2011
10:19 am
As usual, if there is a way to come across looking like fools, the people of Georgia will find it. Maureen, you are doing a real service because whenever I feel the slightest tinge of regret at having given up on education in Georgia, you post something that reminds me why I left.
I’m sorry that middle schoolers in Georgia are not sharp enough to read critically. Maybe they were never taught such skills in the constant barrage of test prep that substitutes for education in that poor benighted place.
I always be grateful that my children are far, far away from people who think like this reactionary parent. People in the rest of the world are carrying on with their traditions in their own ways, and they really are not concerned with what you think too much (at least until you start raining down bombs in the name of freedom). My children have friends from many different cultures, including Islam (no republicans, fortunately). They are receiving a world-class education, and they know how to read critically. What are your kids learning through this latest exercise in stupidity and intolerance?
Had enough yet Georgia teachers? Give up. Throw in the towel. Flee.
Me
September 27th, 2011
10:29 am
Sure, parents and taxpayers have the right to review textbooks, etc., but what brain-dead Cobb County board member, principal, or whatever, made the decision to even allow this?
Van Jones
September 27th, 2011
10:42 am
Fled, and yet you go to the AJC website, read the blogs and comment. Feel superior yet?
Fully versed
September 27th, 2011
10:49 am
Fled, if you think we’re so backwards, why are you reading? Stay away. If you see intolerance, you’ve lost your mind. Intolerant are Muslims, who persecute and murder gay people around the world, poison the wells in Africa of those who will not convert, or hack them to death with machetes! Have you seen limb removals in Saudi Arabia, or stonings in Afghanistan? Have you seen a 75 year old woman caned for not having her male escort with her at all times? How can you say we are the intolerant ones? I have friends from the middle east as well, and all of them believe Americans are naive to the cruelties that exist at complete odds with the protections we take for granted under the U.S. Constitution. Shari’a law is the goal of much of Islam. Right now, you have the freedom to “flee” as you say, because you live in a free country. I’m assuming you’re female, and I’d love to see you try to exert your independence in a Muslim country. Get versed. Stop being so naive. And stop bragging about your kids and their “world class” education. We don’t really care.
hnbc
September 27th, 2011
10:57 am
It seems to me there are a lot of lost opportunities to discuss what is real, perceived as real, and how to distinguish between all these various sides. A letter such as described here could certainly be used as a basis of discussion of differences amongst people, cultures, lifestyles, choices or lack of choices, individual freedom and the responsibility that goes along with that freedom and learning to accept that other cultures have as much validity as our culture does. Such a shame to waste an opportunity like this by focusing on an individual’s aversion who then riles up everyone else who does not think for themselves which is another lost opportunity, too.
steve brown
September 27th, 2011
11:00 am
Have our educators lost their minds. Perhaps Hitler should be taught through the sweet writings and eyes of Eva Braun. We need to wake the hell up and do something about the education system in this country that is under educating our students and thereby undermining the freedoms that the men and women of this country who came before us have given their lives for.
Paulo977
September 27th, 2011
11:01 am
Fled
“I’m sorry that middle schoolers in Georgia are not sharp enough to read critically. Maybe they were never taught such skills in the constant barrage of test prep that substitutes for education in that poor benighted place.”
You are absolutely correct . BTW let us not blame the teachers for this …. the powers that be have created this climate of “thoughtlessness” …. Just make sure kids bubble in right answers to test questions !!
joe
September 27th, 2011
11:05 am
“the quality of life for women under Shariah or Islamic law”…is very very very low…pretty much they have no freedoms of any kind under these types of laws. For that reason alone, every liberal and women’s group out there should be against this…but to their discredit, we hear no condemnation from them.
used to teach
September 27th, 2011
11:07 am
Most curriculum is biased one way or the other.
The Puritans have gotten a bad rap in literature and history forever. Read the original sources on anything and you will get the truth.
catlady
September 27th, 2011
11:07 am
There is someone mad in Cobb all the time about something they don’t think is fair to their way of thinking.
Lori
September 27th, 2011
11:07 am
You guys didn’t read the article. Seems to me the main problem with the lesson was that it was unbalanced. They didn’t offer an opposing position or explain the negatives of such laws against women. Children need to be taught other cultures, but they need to be taught a fair and balanced history of those cultures, not just the rosy parts!
Muhammad Speaks
September 27th, 2011
11:14 am
Leave Me Alone!
I am seventy-eight year old man and can’t wait to get up there with all those virgins in the sky. If you want to believe that someone arose from the dead or walked on water, so be it.
Let Me Have My Beliefs in Peace!
ND
September 27th, 2011
11:15 am
Get religion out of the public schools, period, whether it’s Islam, Christianity, or anything else.
V for Vendetta
September 27th, 2011
11:15 am
Islam is a disgusting a oppressive belief system.
So is Christianity.
Remove them both–totally–from all public schools.
The end.
Looking at both sides
September 27th, 2011
11:20 am
I believe this to be the standard in question.
SS7G8 The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East).
a. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.
b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds.
c. Compare and contrast the prominent religions in Southwest Asia (Middle East): Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
d. Explain the reason for the division between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
e. Evaluate how the literacy rate affects the standard of living.Teachers are bound by the standards to teach what is there.
You want teachers to teach beyond the standards and when they do they get bashed. Make up your mind! The teacher missed a perfect opportunity to present other sources of opinion (which is what the letter is). However, unless the teacher has the time to search for alternative opinions then it likely other sources will not be introduced. County curriculum specialists should work to provide additional resources to help balance the approach.
Another alternative would to allow the students to search for other opinions about sharia law and the lives of women in the Islamic world. Social Studies is about balance but it does take alot of effort to achieve it.
Laurie
September 27th, 2011
11:23 am
Everyone is missing the point of what this teacher was ultimately trying to do, which is show that respect of another person’s culture is not comfortable, but must be the goal when trying to practice religious and cultural tolerance. If we can’t do that, there is no chance for our societies to live in peace.
Parisa
September 27th, 2011
11:24 am
Schools should not promote any point of view. Schools should provide knowledge and encourage children to form their own opinions and point of view. Education is supposed to broaden the mind. Indoctrination molds the mind. Government funded schools should educate not indoctrinate.
Mosell
September 27th, 2011
11:28 am
Hello Fled.
Its obvious you didn’t read the original article or see the interview on TV. The parent wasn’t as much critical about the “Letter from …” being part of the lesson. He was more critical of the fact an opposing view was presented as well. How else would critical thinking occur if you didn’t have two views to ponder and think about. Also, his complaint is about presenting only part of the picture.
So, Fled I glad you did. Flee away Flee away. That’s how problems get solved just run away from them.
Sk8ing Momma
September 27th, 2011
11:30 am
IMO, I don’t see the big deal. (Btw, I’m a unashamed believer of Jesus Christ.) Upon reading the fictional narrative and the following questions, it appears that it is an exercise in critical thinking (albeit a poor one, IMO). The narrative clearly states at the end of the first paragraph that it is merely an *opinion* and asks students to develop their own.
Rather than getting their panties in a wad over this assignment it should serve as a reminder to parents of the importance of imparting their beliefs/values to their children. In addition, it should serve as a reminder to parents that they need to dialogue with their children regarding the beliefs and values that they deem important. Yes, children will eventually develop their own beliefs and values (as they should) as they mature; however, while they are at home they should be taught their family’s values/beliefs while under their parents’ leadership/authority.
V for Vendetta
September 27th, 2011
11:31 am
Maureen,
On a side note, I have found that a “Fields of Faith” will take place at Parkview high school in Lilburn on October 12th at 6:30pm. I would encourage you to come out and witness something that I feel crosses the line between what is appropriate and what isn’t. It is sponsored under the guise of FCA.
Maureen Downey
September 27th, 2011
11:32 am
@Laurie, I agree. I have two middle schoolers. They are 12, but they would be able to read this letter and ask pertinent questions. For me, the question should be how this was presented. I don’t think it makes sense if the lesson is whether school dress codes are relevant or helpful, but it certainly makes sense if the lesson is cultural differences in dress.
I moderated a panel a few years ago where a professor from the Middle East talked about the American point of view that the veil oppressed Muslim women. She noted that she was dismayed by the comments made to young college women in America by men passing on the streets and from cars. She found that oppressive.
To be clear, I don’t agree with veiling women, but the topic could lead to some great discussion in middle school about culture and young women. A young woman who attends GSU recently told me that she changed her bike riding route to school because she passed a construction site every day where the workers made sexual comments as she passed.
So, there are real-life lessons that this lesson could inspire. (Tina, I would be interested in what you think about this element.)
Maureen
Maureen Downey
September 27th, 2011
11:33 am
@V, Thanks. I would like to do that.
Maureen
Donna P.
September 27th, 2011
11:35 am
Why would anyone want their children to read this crap? Suppressing women is not a “good read”. Whoever thought that this would be a good idea to bring into a Cobb school is a ridiculous person and probably a man.
batgirl
September 27th, 2011
11:44 am
I agree that this is pretty shocking, but has anyone checked to see if the teacher actually tried to present a balanced picture?
Remember, this is the same system that placed stickers stating that evolution was just a theory in biology books a few years ago. I suppose if someone taught that Jesus turned the water to wine, these parents would be fine with it.
I don’t agree that teaching about religion should be left out of schools. However, it should be done in a neutral way with no proseletyzing. It is interesting to me, though, that children (most of whom are probably Christian) are expected to learn so much about the differences among Muslims when most don’t even know the basics of their own religions. Several years ago, when one of my nephews was in high school, they were discussing religion in a history class. The teacher asked them to raise their hands if they were Protestant. Only my nephew and a couple of others raised their hands. He told a friend that she should raise her hand. Her reply was that she wasn’t Protestant, she was Baptist. Then there are those who think Catholics are not Christians and don’t have a clue what Lutherans and Episcopalians are. I think that religious literacy would not be a bad thing to be taught.
gamom
September 27th, 2011
11:44 am
there is a reason for the separation of church and state. Just over the line in Alabama, people under a new law will be sentenced to church as opposed to going to jail. How that works with our constitution I will never understand. I hope some lame brain politician doesn’t try to introduce that measure here.
Edward
September 27th, 2011
11:47 am
Religion is like a penis. It is fine to have one. It is fine to be proud of it. But please don’t whip it out in public and wave it around, and please don’t try to shove it down the throat of children.
Good Grief
September 27th, 2011
11:59 am
Being tolerant, politically correct, and embracing other cultures and religions have all caused the US of America to turn into a toxic waste dump. This country is on the road to being blown off the globe, but yet will be nice to our enemies and let them spit on us to the bitter end. Why bother caring about your kids’ education when they won’t be around to use it!
Give me a break!
September 27th, 2011
12:00 pm
By them teaching this is no different than them teaching the foolishness of evolution!
Smoke Rise Mom
September 27th, 2011
12:00 pm
Does a teacher really have to present a balanced view to this? I wouldn’t have any problem with my 6th grade daughter reading this and answering the questions. She is equipped to provide her own balanced view. And I expect most tween-agers in our society could handle it as well. There really isn’t any danger that lessons like this are going to convert our children from beliefs we’ve taught them. And it doesn’t hurt them to understand there are those whose truths are different from ours.
Texas Pete
September 27th, 2011
12:19 pm
Agreed Smoke Rise Mom.
Isn’t the counterbalance the students’ personal experience of the topic? I mean the whole point of any education is to expose a student to something they might know already know about. Teaching someone about theft may or may not influence them to decide to go out and commit theft themselves, right? It’s the same old tired “if we expose our kids to this topic they will take up the practice regardless of their upbringing.”
Opinionanted
September 27th, 2011
12:21 pm
There is nothing wrong with presenting children with what is out there in the world. And the whole world wonders why we are some dumb sometimes. All you hear is “leave this out, leave that out, school shouldn’t be teaching this or that” children are sheltered from birth to high school, and parents are not involved enough in a kids life to guide them the right way. There is nothing wrong with them having that information. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to knowing what goes on in the world. Do you think that by not teaching them about Islam is going to keep them from knowing about it? Wouldn’t you rather teach them in an environment where you as a parent have a say and can contribute to? Let them learn, ask you questions, and if they don’t ask you, why don’t you ask them, and start a conversation. There are so many topics out there that parents don’t discuss with their kids, that’s why there have been so many campaigns to get parents to be active in their children’s lived. Why would this be any different? Are you that unsure in the beliefs that you have taught your children that a simple lesson in school would all of a sudden convert them to Islam? Wake up people and become parents instead of being too pre-occupied with everything else. And by the way, i am a parent of 3 kids, 2 of them well in school and i make it a point to discuss everything from God to sports and everything in between with my kids, at least they know that they can talk to me and i am willing to teach them everything no matter what other ignorant people may think.
East meets West
September 27th, 2011
12:26 pm
Rather than teach divisiveness, they can teach the commonalities of our society and Sharia law, by playing Bob Dylan’s “Everybody Must Get Stoned.”
That is what the song was about, isn’t it? Good moral values and upholding them.
carlosgvv
September 27th, 2011
12:30 pm
Many of us on various blogs have expressed deep concerns about “creeping shariah. stealth jihad and encroachment of Islamic tenets into America’s public shcools”. For our troubles we’ve been called crazy, stupid, morons and paranoid. Looks like we were right all along. I wonder how long it will take the politically correct to see what is really happening.
Disturbed all the way around
September 27th, 2011
12:31 pm
Why is the State Department of Education even mentioned in this? This does not appear on their frameworks page with sample lessons. Did Cobb or a single teacher get this from a private company? Misinformation or silly investigative trails like “Georgia social studies script” leads to big blow-ups of wrong information. There’s not a state script; it’s Georgia, only the school system can force teachers to do dumb things in the name of “local autonomy.” Way to go AJC, keeping the ignorant of Georgia wallowing in their own misinformed filth for another generation!
catlady
September 27th, 2011
12:33 pm
Many of the respondents may not be ready for the critical thinking expected of middle schoolers.
In support of Fled
September 27th, 2011
12:39 pm
Fled, and yet you go to the AJC website, read the blogs and comment. Feel superior yet?
How could Fled NOT feel superior, for making the superior choice of fleeing the cesspool that has become education in Georgia?
Maybe if more quality teachers like Fled, actually fled, Georgia would finally be compelled to address teaching conditions.
With teaching conditions what they are, heck a head of cabbage would feel superior for staying in the ground and out of the classroom, and that’s even after a cow spilled dung on top of it.
Come to think of it, that’s probably how the average Georgia teacher feels these days, in terms of the respect given them.
Aquagirl
September 27th, 2011
12:40 pm
To be clear, I don’t agree with veiling women, but the topic could lead to some great discussion in middle school about culture and young women
I noticed that too, when I read the entire essay by “Ahlima.” I would hate to be a 12 year old in today’s culture, the pressure to dress like a hottie might make her understand the wish for an abuyah and veil.
main d
September 27th, 2011
12:44 pm
Multiple wives–polygamy
No wife–monogamy
One wife–monotony
mellisa's mom
September 27th, 2011
12:44 pm
Simply put, this is PC BS. We’ve done our best to stomp out any reference to Christianity and now it’s ok to promote Islam?? And yes, the story told by Ahlima does promote Islam. I have no problem with students learning about other cultures, but it should be in the context of a history class.
Paige Blakely
September 27th, 2011
12:45 pm
I would probably agree with this parent if I were an ignorant retard Jesus freak.
Maureen Downey
September 27th, 2011
12:48 pm
@Disturbed, The original story cited the state as the source, and I have asked DOE for comment several hours ago and was told they were working on a response.
I will post when I get it.
Maureen
Paige Blakely
September 27th, 2011
12:48 pm
Many of us unemployed losers on various blogs have expressed deep concerns about “creeping shariah, stealth jihad and encroachment of Islamic tenets into America’s public shcools”. For our troubles we’ve been called crazy, stupid, morons and paranoid. Looks like they were right all along.
I wonder how long it will be before I get arrested for child endangerment?
Inman Park Boy
September 27th, 2011
12:50 pm
Lotta class Paige, lotta class.
mellisa's mom
September 27th, 2011
12:51 pm
Mellisa can’t wait to take all the knowledge I have instilled in her as custodian of her mind and spirit and use to take honorable mention in the wet t-shirt contest in PCB this year.
Go Dawgs!
Head of Cabbage
September 27th, 2011
12:53 pm
I feel superior and I think Edward and East-meets-West are very naughty … and funny.
GA Edutarded
September 27th, 2011
12:55 pm
Obviously this is one parent who has his priorities straight.
Georgia is next to last in education. Clearly we are not capable of educatiing children in such a way that will allow them to live a full life that involves world travel or multicultural experience.
They certainly won’t be involved in any sort of multinational business dealings.
Let’s forget the whole book learning thing all together and focus on keeping out foreign influences.
I say replace that text with a book full of pictures of monster trucks!
Principal Skinner
September 27th, 2011
12:55 pm
“Saudi woman to be lashed for defying driving ban”
Such a loving, tolerant religion. And before you libs try to make a Christian parallel, remember,this is an official gov’t decree.
Aquagirl
September 27th, 2011
1:01 pm
I say replace that text with a book full of pictures of monster trucks!
This is obviously part of the gay agenda, as it will turn all the girls into lesbians.
AFF
September 27th, 2011
1:03 pm
The purpose of education is to learn. It seems pretty clear to me that the purpose of this lesson was to learn about other cultures. There is no evidence that the purpose was to promote Islam.
If anything, I would think that moderate Muslims would be most bothered by this, as they may think that it steroetypes Muslims.
midtownguy
September 27th, 2011
1:07 pm
I bet these are the same parents who supported the “Evolution is only a theory” stickers. Cobb County raises it’s ugly, paranoid, xenophobic head once again.
Shannon, M.Div.
September 27th, 2011
1:09 pm
When I teach students how to debate/argue, I work to instill in them a simple but elegant notion of fairness.
Fairness is representing your opponents in such a way that they would recognize themselves in your portrayal of them.
The story by Ahlima meets that definition of fairness. I know several Muslim women, and their opinion of their culture is much like the narrative offered in the text. It’s crucial to expose children to the idea that reality is nuanced and complicated.
I realize that it’s much more comfortable to paint opponents with the brush of caricature, but that does students a huge disservice–as when they meet their first *actual* Saudi woman whose story is like Ahlima’s, they would realize that they were fed a pack of half-truths.
Does that mean that *only* one side should be presented? Of course not. I trust that our educators would offer a counter-perspective to Ahlima’s narrative. “This is how she feels. Would you want to trade places with her, given that she isn’t allowed to drive a car and has to be accompanied everywhere by a male relative?” Students then realize that reality is complex. Shocker, I know.
What I’m reading here shows a pervasive, consistent distrust of teachers.
There is not enough money in the world to do that job.
mellisa's mom
September 27th, 2011
1:17 pm
Someone else on this blog took my user name and is posting nasty comments. I would appreciate it if the AJC wouldn’t let multiple users use the same name. It’s confusing and fraudulent.
Fled
September 27th, 2011
1:17 pm
@Paolo977
You are absolutely correct: I do not blame the teachers of Georgia. I, too, was one for far too long. Conditions there are such that the agencies recruiting international teachers find the state one of the most fertile fields anywhere. I run into teachers from Georgia all the time.
And that is my point: y’all do not have take it. The whole wide world awaits. You will be well-paid, and you will live much better than you ever could in Georgia. It is not easy: be clear on that. However, if you are a good teacher, there are many places that will welcome you.
The comments on veiling are interesting. As I’ve come to know Muslims better, I have come to see that veiling is a complex topic–and there is a lot of personal choice involved. If you were in Tunisia, you would find the women completely Westernized in dress and attitude. In a place like Qatar, you would find a mixture, some veiled, some not. Not to be too complex for my critics, but there is something also liberating in being, as Lacan might say, removed from the Gaze, grounded in the Real.
I make no apologies for pulling my children out of the indoctrination center that was called a school in Georgia and getting them to a place where they can learn to live (and love) people from all cultures. My hope is that they will be always free. And, yes, there is that thing about the world-class education they are getting: for sure, I could not provide that as a lowly teacher in Georgia. So sorry you are tired of hearing about it.
So, teachers, give up. Throw in the towel. Flee.
Aurelius
September 27th, 2011
1:25 pm
“Ahlima feels safe under Shariah law and lectures well on its virtues — but forgets its evils.”
If one is going to teach anything one should teach both sides. And Shariah Law has its evils. As does Georgia Law and US Law. This is the problem of making laws. What is good here is considered eveil there.
So in the US the framers gave us the Bill of Rights to protect the minority from the evils of the majority.
And this is the big difference; Sharia Law does not recognize minorities.
David
September 27th, 2011
1:27 pm
I totally agree with fled. This poorly uneducated state makes me sick. I am definately going to flee in 2012.
East Cobb Parent
September 27th, 2011
1:42 pm
I have to ask, what other schools gave this or very similar assignment? I don’t mind a balanced view, but my experience has shown the teachers tend to slant towards their beliefs. I don’t know that this was the case in this situation. Just another reason I’m glad my children are no longer in the public school system.
▬5
September 27th, 2011
1:44 pm
“It’s confusing and fraudulent.”
Time to lawyer up! Cue the violin music!
Oh lawd, the humanity! >:)
carlosgvv
September 27th, 2011
1:47 pm
Paige Blakely
Unlike you, I am able to see things as they really are, not as I would like them to be in some delusional way. Perhaps when you gain some additional education and maturity, if ever, your blinders will come off.
Jim Bo
September 27th, 2011
1:50 pm
“Opinionanted” hit the nail on the head. Let’s face it, Middle School to High School (and in some circles, Colleges) here in the US are not as highly educating as the rest of the developing world. Part of educating should be to provide the student fair comparison to be able to make their own impressions. Parents here need not worry of the child’s influence by such a minor issue, if their basis is sound within the household they grew up in. I was born in a country such as the US, in the midst of people of different religions and ethnicity. Though of Islamic persuasion, I was taught Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism. And yes, coming home, I did get into conversations with learned parents, who listened and cajoled my school lessons with their opinion. Wherever there was discrepancy, I was provided resources. I grew up with a clear image of what my beliefs were then and are now. All decent educated people recognize that in each religion there is respect of another person’s belief. No one religion in its true and real transliteration, condemns another. For those who disagree, are ignorant of facts. To rant and rave of differences in religious beliefs, is yet another ignorance. Coming to the subject of dresses in this blog, shows an outrage (from mostly women), seemingly offended in projection of their femininity. Indeed, if understood, Islam doesn’t project “femininity”, but “respect of/for a woman”. Don’t make a judgment of this, based on a few countries who have abused the tenets of Islam in their cruelty of punishment (such as in Saudi Arabia). Afterall, they have been known to import dancers from around the world to their harems (in late 80s, a Miss Ohio created an uproar when she was asked to perform against the reason of inviting her to the country). I think for those who have traveled around the world, have seen and learnt how easy it has been for the locals to live harmoniously within their cultural and religious differences.
I Love Life Cereal
September 27th, 2011
1:50 pm
“I make no apologies for pulling my children out of the indoctrination center that was called a school in Georgia and getting them to a place where they can learn to live (and love) people from all cultures”
At least be honest and just come out and say that you endorse a “religion” and “culture” that treats women like dogs and enforces a cruel means of living.
One cannot claim to be “tolerant” and yet at the same support a culture/religios extemism that would allows for child brides, the savage mistreatment of women, and treating modern civilizations such as the United States and Britain as “great evils” to be killed.
No thank you. I won’t support using men and women as human bombs.
That is being grounded in reality.
You either have the backbone to stand up for what is right or you don’t.
JAWJA
September 27th, 2011
2:00 pm
Polygamy is a crime in this country. Ask Warren Jeffs. It should not be presented to students in such a light hearted, everyday way w/o presenting the other side. You’re right, I don’t trust the teachers to adequately teach this particular subject. Remember the CRCT cheating. But, then, I am a dinosaur.
Texas Pete
September 27th, 2011
2:24 pm
A significant portion of the general population wants and expects to be told what to think. Many of these very people will deny it all day long but know the truth inside. That is why they become fearful of information that is different from their understanding of a concept. This mentality is the true foundation for all the “-isms” of our world. It is so much easier to just see wrong than it is to assess wrong.
Seriously, how many different ways can we divide into factions? Political belief, race, sex, favorite sports teams, favorite hobbies, wearing helmets while riding motorcycles, wearing seat belts, smoking in public, hair style, etc. In all of those topics and many more you can bet your bottom dollar that someone with one view will cast those with an opposing view as evil spawns of satan even if the difference of opinion is irrelevant to society and strictly a personal choice (sport team affiliation is the prime example).
Remember, if you don’t agree with me that Tuesdays are for tacos then you are wrong and hate America.
Cliff Claven
September 27th, 2011
2:34 pm
As a teacher, I do not see an issue with the Henry County lesson as long as they are teaching both sides. That some people consider it unsafe and some like being under their laws. As long as both sides are being presented equally let the kids make up their own minds.
oldtimer
September 27th, 2011
2:35 pm
As a retired Social Studies teacher, it is important that parents look closely at the texts. Many school use the Prentice-Hall books and have for years…since the late 90s. There is much bias against the USA and many inacuracies. Those of use knowledgable about some of this could correctly present the information.Many cold not. We are not doing a great job of passing down our culture to the next generation if we teach that we have been wrong all the time.
Jimmy62
September 27th, 2011
2:45 pm
You think this is messed up, check out Palestinian textbooks, where they teach elementary children that Jews are evil pigs who must be killed.
Joe Carey
September 27th, 2011
2:58 pm
Here is a paper on the view of women in Islam which I wrote in graduate school while studying Islam. Download and/or read free. Compare what authoritative Islamic texts and scholars say. Hear the stories of women in Islamic nations. Then compare with the whitewashing in our textbooks. It’s not just in Georgia; we have the same problem in California.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/65223569/Women-in-Islam-What-Muslims-Don-t-Want-You-to-Know
Fericita
September 27th, 2011
3:15 pm
Sk8ing Momma, well said!
Teacher Reader
September 27th, 2011
3:17 pm
I would not have a problem with this lesson, if our students really knew and understood American history. Understood the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, World War I, World War II, the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, and so on in our own country’s history. Sadly many of our children can’t name the fifty states that make up our country. Shoot the president didn’t realize that there were 50 states. A child cannot compare and contrast another government/culture, until they fully understand the one in which they live. As Old Timer stated, our social studies (notice not history) are riddled with mistakes, half truths, and rarely given the children the full set of facts and information surrounding situations, documents, and events. Like the media, our social studies books lack facts and are extremely biased.
Also, I do not know many teachers who really understand Islam and other cultures strong enough to really give children true, factual information. Looking at the standards, I am not sure where this lesson fits in with the standards and therefor should not be taught.
Indoctrination like this is slipped through lessons, especially in social studies constantly. As one who loves to read about history, especially history told through letters and correspondence, I often found what I was supposed to teach inaccurate. I often found myself saying, this is what you need to know for the CRCT, but this is what really happened. I know because I have read letters from our founding fathers, and done research on these men and the woman that supported their efforts.
Politi Cal
September 27th, 2011
3:30 pm
How would all you atheists feel if we “Christianized” the curriculum? Yet this doesn’t concern you?
Mantra (D)
September 27th, 2011
3:32 pm
You people don’t care about the education of public school children – all you care about is them growing up to become good, obedient straight ticket liberal (D) voters. Thank yourselves for this country and our public education system for going to down the tubes. Congratulations for dumbing down our young people into zombies. Public education will not get any better until your ilk realizes you are what is wrong with America. Our country has no chance of survival with this BS.
funny
September 27th, 2011
3:49 pm
women covered head to toe; they cant drive, vote, or walk outside without a family member; hmmm, having 4 wives….
where is the down side?
Mikes
September 27th, 2011
3:56 pm
I wonder if the school will explore with virtues of the Islamic view on Gay Pride. Now that would have the Liberals in a knot, Just who would they support?
William Casey
September 27th, 2011
4:02 pm
It seems to me that the lesson would have better achieved the goal of comparing and respecting all cultures had it been a fictional conversation between the Islamic woman (maybe more than one, perhaps adding a westernized Islamic woman) and a variety of comparable “American” women (secular, religious, big city, small town, etc.) The lesson seems a little simpistic to me.
I got caught up in this kind of media frenzy at Nothview High School (Fulton County) in 2004. Board Member Katie Reeves didn’t bother to actually review my balanced lesson before going public with a parental complaint which fit her political agenda. Thank God that I had a great principal, Peter Zervakos. I’m glad that I’m retired and my son is out of high school.
Thanks Maureen for your work on this.
Ashley
September 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
We cast stones at other religious groups and cultures….mainly the middle east, where they see modesty for females ,we dress girls as young as five in revealing clothes, reality shows sexualize are female children even when they aren’t anywhere near eighteen years old. Until sexual abuse and domestic violence is eradicated in the U.S and talk shows have nothing to talk about, we need to get off the soapbox. Part of social studies is learning about different cultures and societies, whether we agree or not. We as americans toot the horns of democracy, but some countries views us as arrogant and one-sided, but that doesn’t stop us from wanting freedom for all nor should it. I do not believe we as americans are in danger from shar’ia law, because there are too many freedom fighting citizens in this country. Some may not agree with this text, but I don’t subscribe to paranoid or hysteria.
bootney farnsworth
September 27th, 2011
4:27 pm
someone needs to test the water in Cobb.
bootney farnsworth
September 27th, 2011
4:29 pm
IF for one moment I actually believed this was about a “balanced” social studies lesson it wouldn’t bother me.
but there’s a better chance of Hermain Cain being Pres. than this
being just a social studies lesson.
social engineering, perhaps.
bootney farnsworth
September 27th, 2011
4:31 pm
kudos T/R
our kids don’t understand our own system.
hell, we have kids at Perimeter who STILL don’t get
the concept of the electoral college.
fix this, Cobb county. then worry about other cultures.
To Fully Versed from Good Mother
September 27th, 2011
5:03 pm
Very well said.
Bravo.
East meets West
September 27th, 2011
5:25 pm
“We cast stones at other religious groups and cultures…”
@Ashley you do realize the irony of your choice of words, don’t you?
a dreamer
September 27th, 2011
5:44 pm
I know this will never come true, but …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WibmcsEGLKo
Ryan Winston
September 27th, 2011
5:52 pm
Nations that subscribe to Shariah law, and anything that oppresses a woman’s right to live like a normal human being, have no place in our modern world. Frankly, I find them an embarrassing relic of our ancient history that has yet to burn out of our global society. Lashing women for driving? This is totally unacceptable, and an obvious human rights violation. How is it that NATO or the UN haven’t gotten involved? Because it’s a sovereign nation? Please. Humans rights know no bounds when it comes to national borders. I’m currently working towards my Master’s of Education online at this site: http://www.cu-portland.edu/ and as a future teacher, I feel like Shariah law needs to be relegated to the history books, YESTERDAY.
Ashley
September 27th, 2011
6:06 pm
@East meets West….I sincerely didn’t mean for it to be a play on words, but the irony is not lost, perhaps I should have phrased it better. Sorry!
Lee
September 27th, 2011
6:38 pm
Just another example of politically correct social engineering from our public school indoctrination centers.
Another example, a Texas student gets suspended for merely saying he thinks homosexuality is wrong. (Hint: if your teacher has a poster of two guys kissing in his room, he might be a little light in the loafers…)
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/22/texas-school-punishes-boy-for-opposing-homosexuality/
Students suspended for merely drawing a picture of a gun:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/0822gunsketch22-on.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303796,00.html
http://www.clickorlando.com/education/13948033/detail.html
Students get suspended for praying:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive/ldn/2007/mar/07030609
Students waving Mexican flag is okay. Student counters by waving a Confederate flag and gets suspended:
http://www.kcra.com/money/8369650/detail.html
And the hits just keep coming. We can talk about every kind of affinity group sanctioned on schools – well, except for White Students Association.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
bootney farnsworth
September 27th, 2011
11:13 pm
once the kids finish with this assignment, they can start on the unit about the wonders of Cambodian genocide and the merits of the Khemir Rouge policy of seperating children from their parents
V for Vendetta
September 28th, 2011
10:00 am
Lee,
The Mexican flag was never a symbol of hatred and oppression. Try waving a Nazi flag around and see how far that gets in a school. Same thing.
V for Vendetta
September 28th, 2011
10:01 am
@Politi Cal,
As an atheist, I oppose the teaching of any faith or belief system in school–other than to reference they exist. I’m not sure what you’re getting at.
Still Disturbed
September 28th, 2011
12:56 pm
Who trusts the Marietta Daily Journal? Whether you like their agenda and bias matters little to me, their facts are lacking.
As much as I hate to support the DOE, they are in no way at fault, but this “journalism” will result in a lot of misinformation.
One poster added the standards, but feel free to visit their website and you’ll see no reference to this lesson. It is clearly from some private source and the DOE never endorses or denies those for many reasons. Yet, in claiming there is a state “script,” it appears they are involved in this. The old Georgia standard of local control means the state can’t screw up this way and can’t bail out Cobb in this case either.
Don’t you just hate it when facts get in the way of a good story?
Also, if I were Muslim, I’d be angry over this lesson. What a poor job of teaching about another religion. That teacher showed poor judgement culturally and factually.
Fifth Avenue
September 28th, 2011
10:31 pm
What is Edmond Heatley, superintendent of Clayton County, thinking about this matter? Hey…………………..Clayton County teachers, have you suffered enough under Edmond Heatley? Want to suffer some more? Is old Sid saving you from the unleadership of Edmond Heatley?
Who was it that spoke out strongly against the hiring of Edmond Heatley? Was it MACE or CCEA? I can’t remember. Now you see why John Trotter doesn’t cut deals with the superintendents, right? Hey……………………Claton County teachers, let ole Sid continue to save you. He’s doing a mighty fine job, right? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Cobb Muslim lesson leads to death threats to curriculum publisher. State school chief renounces material. | Get Schooled
September 29th, 2011
9:14 am
[...] Is discussion of burqas and Sharia law appropriate for a middle school assignment on dress codes? (AP Images) [...]
Cobb Muslim lesson leads to death threats to curriculum publisher. State … | No Sharia in America
September 29th, 2011
10:44 am
[...] [...]
Southern Muslim
September 29th, 2011
1:45 pm
As a Muslim, I object to Maureen Armstrong’s description of Pamela Geller as “the intrepid freedom fighter Pamela Geller.” Pamela Geller, the hate monger, posted a picture of the prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him) on her website with a pig replacing his face. In the online interview, she denied she did this, but the reporter who questioned her said that she had a copy, so there wasn’t too much she could say. Pamela urged the reporter to show it to the public, but the reporter refused because it was “disrespectful.”
She is a hate monger. She creates two advantages by attacking the teacher’s social studies’ class: she scares people into staying away from anything remotely Islamic in class. Then, if she is lucky enough to get Muslims angry, she can make fun of them. If the Muslims say anything bad about Jews, she will start the tirade that all Muslims are Jew Haters.
Basically, it’s a win-win situation. She’s a bully and she bullied Cobb and threatened an innocent teachers job.
As a teacher, I don’t understand what she is afraid of. Does she think, in her wildest dreams, that a student is going to run out and get multiple wives for her father? Multiple wives are illegal in America.
As a Muslim, I think America has an excellent law system. We don’t need sharia law. Even if Pamela Geller desperately wanted Sharia law for America, she couldn’t have it.
Pamela is a drama.
Maureen Downey
September 29th, 2011
1:46 pm
@Southern, FYI: The author of the column is Laura Armstrong.
Maureen
Cobb Muslim lesson leads to threats to curriculum publisher. State school … | No Sharia in America
September 29th, 2011
5:55 pm
[...] [...]