This post was initially titled Diversity without Tolerance. Due to feedback I rec'd, I feel Inclusion sends a better message and is a more acceptable word.
It’s the equivalent of being invited to a dinner party but not being allowed to eat.
The way to progress is through education.
If Al Qaeda is spreading specific info to young people to help their cause, why aren't we doing the same? This is something that must continue for years, decades and generations.
I struggled with this back in 2006 and 2008 and decided to write the following.
October 14, 2006
Mr. David P. Driscoll
Commissioner of Education
MA Dept. of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
Dear Mr. Driscoll:
According to the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework information listed in the D.O.E. website, the framework is of high quality, results driven, and focuses on world-class standards. It is also considered a work in progress and will continued to be refined.
In my opinion, a crucial part of this involves specifically teaching our children on a constant basis the importance of respecting and understanding the difference in attitudes and beliefs of others whether it be race, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental limitations etc.
Therefore, I would like the Board of Education Members to take this one step further by asking that you strongly consider making the teaching of tolerance a mandatory and daily part of the educational curriculum in MA. (Tolerance is defined as: a fair (free from bias or dishonesty) and permissive attitude toward those whose race, religion, beliefs etc. differ from one’s own.)
Let’s further prepare our children for daily life in the workforce and real world. While approximately 4 out of 5 people in MA are white, certain areas/pockets are more diverse. How are today’s children (tomorrow’s future) going to deal with this? It’s up to us to make sure they have the proper tools (knowledge and respect) to treat people fairly.
This crosses all social, political, lines and groups and needs to be embraced and implemented. We have to face the reality that hatred is pervasive and we can’t rely on individual households to teach children right from wrong. This is sad but true and will take generations, not years to address. With the help of your leadership and foresight, this process can begin.
My passion for this stems from a powerful experience I shared with my eight-year old daughter Rachel last June when she experienced what it was like to be a minority for the first time in her life. As a white child living in Stoneham, she is among the 95% majority. So it was a strange moment for her when she, along with her five-year old sister Hannah, were the only two white children in the middle of an African-American family reunion poolside at the Ft. Lauderdale Sheraton (approx. 75 people).
How Rachel handled everything was one of the proudest moments of my life and it opened our eyes to something we don’t see or think about often. It made us think of tolerance. This time the shoe was on the other foot. And the footsteps left behind that day were beautiful ones of black and white. It moved me so much; it caused me to file legislation regarding tolerance (see attached).
While it is my understanding that many schools incorporate character education by promoting things such as the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship) through many parts of the curriculum, one trip to a local playground or ride on the T will clearly illustrate the foundation of behavior around us is crumbling. How about a look at the daily news in the paper or on television? Clearly, the media is not helping by sensationalizing this unacceptable behavior.
Quite frankly, I’m very concerned for the challenges not only my children face, but all children. The stress on families today is overwhelming, whether it be financial, social or otherwise as our world continues to change. Religious extremism and illegal immigration just add fuel to an already raging inferno.
The efforts of all who dedicate their lives to helping children should be commended and probably is not appreciated as much as it should be. We need to take things further and not worry about political correctness or any other barriers, visible or hidden, to improve society.
I don’t know the inner workings of your organization or how to actually begin a process like this (I guess this is one of the first steps.) so I respectfully ask for your help. This is something that I’m committed to for as long as it takes.
Let’s put all our resources behind this because our children face so many threats in society and they must be ready. I leave you with two of my favorite quotes. The first by Benjamin Franklin, which reads, “Let us not look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around us in awareness.” The second is by legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, which reads, “Failure to prepare, is preparation for failure.”
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Bob Sansone
Bob Sansone
P.S. My father is a retired elementary school principal from Everett who feels this cannot be accomplished for a variety of reasons. Please help me prove the old man wrong just once!
January 21, 2008
Mr. Mitchell Chester
Commissioner of Education
MA Dept. of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
Re: An idea to help the students of MA
Dear Mr. Chester:
Welcome to Boston! Congratulations on your being named as the new Education Commissioner in MA.
It is my understanding that part of your focus will be on improving failing schools and closing a wide achievement gap between low-income and wealthy students across the state. I respectfully ask that you consider my proposal to help you towards meeting that very important goal.
It is not by accident that this letter is being written on Martin Luther King Day. Our great country is built on dreams. In a tribute today to Dr. King, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin stated, "Martin aimed high, acted with faith, dreamed miracles that inspired a nation. Can we act on King's legacy without dreaming? I think not," Franklin said. "King's legacy gives light to our hopes, permission to our aspirations and relevance to our dreams."
As a parent of two daughters, it’s my dream to help the children of the Commonwealth. Of course, to do so we must generate revenue. As a means to that end, I would like to create a new license plate that “Invests in Equality”. Proceeds from the special plate fees would go to fund this program. This would parallel the “Invest in Children” plate (see attached) that was introduced in 1998, and is sponsored by The United Way. Those proceeds go the Child Care Quality Fund, which is a division of the Department of Early Education and Care.
You’re probably wondering what is behind all of this. Details are provided in my initial letter to the Commissioner’s Office written in October 2006 along with other supporting documentation. This is a cause that I will support for the rest of my life and I need your help. While my prior efforts did not result in change, I believe the level of awareness was raised, which I consider progress.
You might as well hit the ground running. I think this would be a great start. We’re always told to think outside the box, so step up to the plate and support this new plate.
Once again, I want to welcome you to Boston and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards,
Bob Sansone
