Speak Out 1/21/06

Heritage lesson

SINCE I am an African-American, I am going to my school prom dressed as a slave with a well-worn shirt, shackles, wrinkled slacks filled with holes and the whole bit. Slave attire will enlighten students as to their unique and disgraceful past plight better than anything that could transpire behind the stifling four walls of the school classroom.

Learning experience

THE STODGY Southeast Missourian editorial board just doesn't get it. Far from being a diversion from learning as implied in your Jan. 18 editorial, the Nathan Warmack kilt controversy probably taught students more about the First Amendment, the way schools are governed, how decisions are made and many other valuable lessons too numerous to list. Lessons learned from the kilt flack will never be forgotten. The same cannot be said about what transpires in the classroom.

Good turnover

THERE HAS been a lot of talk lately about teachers and the turnover rate. Because teachers' pay is not that great, the most ambitious college graduates do not enter teaching at the elementary or high school level. There are a small percentage of people teaching who need to be retained. These teachers are bright, enthusiastic and try to help all their students regardless of their parents' income or influence. But there are a great many others who need to be shown the door. This type of turnover would be good for everyone.

Traffic rules

IT SADDENS me to report that drivers in Jackson are still struggling with the complexities of the four-way stop. If it's your turn to go, then go. Stop waving at people, trying to get them to turn left in front of you. It's illegal. It slows traffic through the intersection. And it makes a very simple thing more complicated and dangerous.

Growing economy

TAX REVENUE in Missouri is growing because the state economy is growing. Whenever you can attract more businesses and grow the economy, people automatically pay more taxes. You don't need to raise rates. In fact, the state might even lower rates in order to attract more business and get more tax revenue.

Teaching Hinduism

I AM a concerned parent. My child came home last week with a paper from social studies class where they are learning about Hinduism. I come from a Christian family. I disagree with this, and I don't like it. The idea of students learning another religion in a public school is dangerous, in my opinion. We can't learn about Christianity without being criticized. I'd like to know why parents weren't informed. We need to stick together and find out what our children are being taught. I want to have peace of mind that my children are honestly being taught the very best. But they're being taught something that clearly goes against my religion.