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Three former teachers from Bailey's Elementary School are filing a lawsuit against the school's principal, Marie Lemmon, for discrimination against race, religion, and gender. It also appears that this isn't the first time any charges have been filed against Lemmon's discrimination, but none of the previous affidavits by other teachers have been acknowledged by the school system. Years have passed since the Civil War and women's rights movements, yet discrimination is still very much alive and active in this country. And often times, especially in the case of schools, the matter is quietly shoved to the side to hopefully be forgotten. I believe that the education system should properly punish those who display discrimination as much as Lemmon does instead of attempting to protect the school's image. What do you guys think? Do you think discrimination occurring in schools should receive more attention, or is it too minor of a matter to be worried about?
Discrimination in schools is definitely a problem. In this case, it is even more so because it is an elementary school. What kind of example is the staff setting for these young impressionable children by expressing this discrimination? Even if they don't openly show it to the kids, I certainly would not feel comfortable going to school knowing my teachers secretly hold racist beliefs. Teachers and school staff are one of the most influential people in a child's development (after their parent, of course) and a child's experience with them at an early age will determine how they view authority, education, social norms, etc. when they grow up. It is imperative that the people leading the children are actually qualified to do so.
ReplyDeleteDiscrimination is something that should be addressed more publicly. Schools should focus less on competing for better reputation and start being honest about what goes on. Discrimination is something that can really effect a person. Children should not have to deal with that sort of stress in their lives. Schools should be an unbiased environment for learning not a reputation contest.
ReplyDeleteI think that Discrimination is a problem, especially since this is in an elementary school. Since teachers are role models to the students at teaching them to be discriminatory or other people is obviously a problem. Schools should be a safe learning environment for everybody and if people are being discriminated against, they could be scared to come to school therefore making their whole experience of school counter productive.
ReplyDeleteI believe discrimination within schools can result in a major impact among children. Schools are supposed to educate children to not discriminate and become more accepting, having multiple teachers go against these lessons goes back towards ideas of past centuries. Schools should be a safe environment free from ridicule. Children should not be exposed to racism from scholarly figures and the district should pay more attention to these pressing issues. Having teachers bring back racial slurs teaches future generations the ideas we drifted away from and try to exterminate are acceptable; history will repeat itself.
ReplyDeleteLemmon should be rightfully punished or even removed from her position as a school principal if she cannot be a good role model for these students. Discrimination should not be tolerated from an authority figure that kids are supposed to look up to. To add on, ignoring the situation, in my opinion, only makes the school look worse because it shows that they cannot take care of this very important issue, and instead pretend it never happened.
ReplyDeleteI think that schools and teachers should get more attention in general, as teachers are already underpaid in public schools for how big the role of education is in society. Discrimination against teachers is not okay, and Lemmon should be tried and her trial should be covered by the media to spread this information.
ReplyDeleteI think that this should get more attention because it can negatively influence the students. In the past, people fought to get rid of discrimination, if this current state of discrimination is not dealt with as soon as possible, then history will repeat itself.
ReplyDeleteI believe this should get more attention because it can be a negative influence on the kids. People fought to get rid of this sort of discrimination, if this state of discrimination if not dealt with as fast as possible, history will continue repeating itself.
ReplyDeleteEveryone it stating that these issues should be addressed more publicly, but will schools really stand up to racism if it destroys their images? Especially if the schools are prestigious. I'm not by any means saying I agree with racism. I'm simply wondering if we'll really see a serious change. These things do take time. Nevertheless, I would not be comfortable with any child going to this elementary school, knowing there would be racism that could negatively impact him or her. Children are easily influenced. Teachers should teach more than curriculum. They should be teaching morals as well. Thus, overall, I believe that we need to stand up against these things, but we should not expect an immediate change in society. It's been decades after the civil war, but we still have racism and slavery. These issues can't disappear in a day.
ReplyDeleteI guess discrimination really isn't the thing in the past. Students and friends usually use discrimination as a joke and it really is, but when it comes to a work environment it is not allowed. It is funny how this world works how we are not allowed to say things in certain places because it is wrong, but when we get together with people close to us it is all just a joke.
ReplyDeleteI don't think discrimination is a minor matter at all, and if anything I think that if schools stand up to it, it will help their image. Ignoring it and hoping that people won't say anything makes the school look worse in my opinion than if they actually addressed it and worked to eradicate it from their school. I definitely think that discrimination in schools should be given more attention. It's not just going to disappear if all we do is ignore it.
ReplyDeleteI would have to believe that the problem of discrimination isn't that big of a deal compared to other issues but is still overlooked. Some schools are different but for the most part there is still some stereotypes that I see teachers following about races and I think that this is an issue that needs to be attended to. But on the other hand, bullying is a very big problem for most schools today and that is being focused on a lot which I believe is a good change but that should also happen with segregation since it is still a problem today and will probably exist forever but we need to diminish it as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteI think we see discrimination go unpunished in schools far too often. Yes, standing up to this issue involves extra effort, but the effects of fighting against discrimination would be extremely awarding. As Valerie said, standing up to discrimination would help boost a school's image. Ignoring the matter will only make it worse. If it's not something that's confronted, students will feel like they can't stand up to discrimination, and thus, it will continue to be a problem until an effort is made that allows students to feel comfortable standing up to discrimination.
ReplyDeleteI do believe discrimination is still alive to day. In schools and in many places in general. In school who hear peers insulting each other's race, religion, ect. throughout the day even if they are just "playing around". Even if we know about our world history and how many races and religions got discriminated against by other races, people still manage to discriminate even if it is not on purpose. The teacher who is discriminating students should be punished, everyone deserved a great education, not just one specific type of person.
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ReplyDeleteI think discrimination should be widely/publicly addressed more. Me personally schools worry too much about their reputation, While in reality people need to worry more about working in a safe work environment. It can easily be said that there are more problems to worry about then school discrimination. Yet with discrimination happening you are teaching a younger generation a way of living that should not be taught.
I Believe much like most people who have commented, that discrimination should be addressed more in schools. Far too many times do I see people getting discriminated against and the school just turns the other the cheek. The schools are worrying too much about their reputation and academic success. They don’t really care about discrimination or really even try to stop it. This is why it needs to be addressed in a more serious manner.
ReplyDeleteI think that any form of discrimination should always receive attention, specially in schools. I agree with what pretty much everyone has said, that the schools are worrying too much about their reputation and trying to push the problem aside and not let people know it is happening. It should be one of the main focuses in schools since that also is part of their reputation that they care so much about.
ReplyDeleteI think that discrimination is still very much alive in this age, although it is significantly less. I think they should tackle these claims and if Lemmon is as discrimnatory as she sounds, she should definitely face the consequences. If people didn't take this seriously, racism and ageism and sexism would never end. on the other end, significant evidence should be presented, not just a person feeling they were being targeted. I feel like some of the claims are less reliable because they could be biased and in school polls 94% of teachers/staff said it was a great place to work in.
ReplyDeleteI believe that discrimination of any kind should be treated very seriously. Discrimination remains a huge problem in 2014, and I believe that it will continue to plague society for as long as there are people of different backgrounds and ethnicities. However, this doesn't mean that we can just brush off "minor" instances of discrimination. If we wish to improve as a society, then we can't ignore the problems within it.
ReplyDeleteI think that discrimination in school should definitely be treated very seriously, discrimination in general should be a definite topic of seriousness. The fact that discrimination is still a part of our time goes to show how much more we as a society have to go. Discrimination seems to be a part of our daily lives and takes place anywhere. It should definitely be taken seriously especially in schools because it is a place of education and should be a safe environment.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Ray, that any type of discrimination should be treated very serious, because regardless of what or who they are discriminating isn't right. Discrimination is still a big problem today. Things like these should be taking serious, and try to find a resolution for it, instead of just trying to forget about it, and leave it how it was.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, schools are where you go to learn and get an education, not get bullied or picked on because of your race, gender, etc. Especially if a role model of the school should be protecting these students and make sure they feel safe. This should be taken care of quick and there should be some punishment to this principal if not just firing her
ReplyDeleteDiscrimination is definitely something that should be treated as a serious matter, as even in the outside world, it happens on a regular basis. I do agree with Robert in the fact that in school, you are supposed to feel safe and get an education, and having discrimination be a normal part of the curriculum hinders a child's ability to receive an education and learn to their fullest extent. I also agree with Ray and his statement about how we cannot ignore these problems, and we have to tackle them head-on if we want to make a change to society.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Vincent, discrimination is a very serious matter, but I also think that it occurs every day and people tend to put it aside. In addition, I think that we can not erase discrimination because it still happens till this day, like what happen in the Ferguson case.
ReplyDeleteSchools should be a place where everyone is treated equal by the staff. Students should be treated the same way as students of different races, genders, and even intellectual ability. Discrimination is a serious matter. Teachers and staff at schools influence students. They influence how they will pursue their future and influence their personality. Discrimination in schools should have attention brought to it and it should be dealt with.
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