$75,000...a little much I think

Today I was reading the news and came across an interesting story. As I was reading it, I was reminded of a similar experience that I had in high school. It turns out that a 14 year old is suing a teacher from her high school for $75,000. Back during Valentine's the student wanted to join the choir in singing valentine grams. When she went in to ask the teacher if she could participate, the teacher supposedly called the girl "ugly" and a "brat". Then she was literally kicked out of the classroom. The school district would not comment, but I wonder what in the world was that teacher thinking? Does she not realize how much damage those comments would make in the life of that child?

While I was never physically kicked out of a classroom, I did have an experience with a teacher in the 9th grade. I was taking Spanish 2 with Sra. Rodriquez. She was a short woman, in her mid 30's and was originally from Puerto Rico. I had heard many things about her and had met her a few times so I was trying to look forward to the class.

After the first test, I hadn't done as well as I would've liked. The day she returned the tests she asked us to take out a piece of paper and wrote a letter home to our parents that would share the grade we got on our first test. While I did not fail it, it certainly was not an "A". Sra. Rodriquez waited until we wrote our letters and then she went around the classroom to sign them. When she got to me, I handed her my note to sign. She shook her head and said, "You are stupid." I thought I heard her wrong so I said, "Excuse me?" She looked me straight in the eye and said, "You are stupid."

I was less than happy at this point. I gathered my things and walked out of the classroom. She followed me into the hallway yelling something about how I couldn't leave and she would write me up. I walked into the office and requested to speak to our principal. I was denied a meeting with him so I went and sat in the guidance counselors office until that block period was over. I went home that day and spoke to both of my parent's about it. The next day, all three of us were in the principals office sharing what had happened with my teacher.

The principal brought Sra. Rodriquez in and questioned her. She said that she told me I was stupid only to challenge me to do better. She claimed it had something to do with her culture and that is the way they worked in Puerto Rico. I kindly looked at her and said, "Well, this isn't Puerto Rico. We don't tell students they are stupid here." After that meeting with the principal she was never reprimanded. My parents couldn't believe it.

One would think after that experience I would have dropped the class or gotten a different teacher. Well, I didn't. I stayed in that class to prove Sra. Rodriquez wrong. I ended up getting an "A" and on the last day of class I walked up to her and said, "See, I'm not stupid" and I walked out.

Obviously, teachers are human and don't always think about what they say. I know this from experience. While I don't think the teacher should have called the teen ugly, a brat, or physically kicked her, I think the $75,000 law suit is a little ridiculous.

Reason to get your Burqa in a wad

This week as I was reading the news online, I found an article that shocked me. The article tells of a Muslim woman named Faiza who has been denied citizenship in France because she wears a burqa. A burqa is the dress of some Muslim women that covers them from head to toe, only leaving a small place for the eyes to look through. Faiza has lived in France with her husband, a French native, and their children since 2000. In 2005, Faiza applied for citizenship in France and was denied. She appealed and last month the French High Court upheld the decision and denied her citizenship. Their reason: her practice of "radical" Islam is not compatible with French values.

How does wearing a burqa make her radical? She's not out killing people. She just lives in her home, takes care of the children, and tries to be a good wife. The government in France doesn't think that she should be so submissive to her husband. The truth is, in Islam the women are supposed to be submissive to their father and husband. They are taught this through their religious beliefs. In their world, there is nothing wrong with wearing a hijab or burqa. It is about modesty.

After I read this article, I was interesting in finding out something about religious freedom in France. I did a little research and found that freedom of religion is guaranteed in France by constitutional rights set forth in 1789. There is to be separation of church and state. However, there is a law that states that students in public schools may not wear articles of religious symbolism. While this does include crosses and stars of David, etc. the people of France felt like it was against Muslim hijabs. I don't see how this law makes sense. How does that keep separation of church and state in tact?

The truth is, denying this woman citizenship over her wearing a burqa is absolutely ridiculous. It is her choice to wear that and no one else's. If the Muslims in France get their "burqa's in a wad" over this one... I think they have every right.

Freedom for a few...or for all?

Today we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence that occurred on July 4, 1776. As citizens of the United States we are thankful for the freedoms that we have in this country, although I think that we often take many of them for granted.

The 4th of July as it is often called is usually celebrated with parades, food, fairs, sports games, and fireworks. The fireworks are my favorite part of the holiday. I'll be going tonight to view a fireworks show and I hope it's good.

One of the freedoms that we often take for granted comes in the form of the First Amendment. It says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

As a small girl growing up in a Baptist church I remember that we often mentioned the freedom of religion that we have in the United States and prayed for people in other countries who don't have that same freedom. I remember discussing foreign countries that don't have this freedom and about the people who wished they lived in the USA for just that reason.

On this 4th of July, I am thankful for that freedom. This week I read an article that angered me. The article told of some Houston, Texas residents that were angered because they began finding Holy Korans on their doorsteps about two weeks ago. The Korans on the doorsteps did not anger me. The response of the recipients angered me.

The Korans have been distributed by The Book of Signs group. The group claims to have distributed 30,000 books to people. The foundation, which left the books on doormats or hanging from doorknobs, said in a note accompanying the Koran that "rather than judging Islam and Muslims by the actions of a few, we want our fellow citizens to judge us by the book that influences and guides the lives of over 1 billion Muslims.

The article reports that some people destroyed the book. One woman reports that she did not, but what she had to say is angering. "If we went into a Muslim country and left a Bible, we would be in prison and then decapitated a few years later," said Sue Ann Pieri.

Well, Ms. Pieri, this is not a Muslim country. We live in the United States of America. We are free to choose our own religion. Her statement shows her ignorance because distributing Bibles in a Muslim country has nothing to do with this Koran distribution. I wonder, what is the difference in the distribution of Korans than that of the Gideons leaving Bibles in hotel or hospital rooms or Jehovah's Witnesses going from door to door with pamphlets about their beliefs?

I really see no difference. We have freedom of religion here and I'm thankful.

Happy 4th of July!