8 year old rendition of Christ on Cross - image Washington Post
Taunton Massachusetts: The first reports came from the Taunton Gazette - an eight year old was asked to do a drawing about the meaning of Christmas, he drew Christ Crucified, and the result – removal from the school and a mandatory psychological evaluation. Apparently, the teacher (those who must report on any situation where a child may be at risk) considered the drawing too violent. Subsequently, in this teachers mind, alarms went off and all proverbial Hades broke loose.
Christ Crucified - artistic rendering - image NelsonIdeas.com
This situation was considered so bizarre, that it has made national headlines via the Associated Press. The parents wish to remove the son from the school, where he was so traumatized for being punished for drawing a picture of Jesus during a class assignment on Christmas, that during the interrogation, he told the authorities that the picture was a self-portrait. (Fear of using Jesus name the cause.) .
Now the Taunton School district is fighting back on a technicality - the boy was not suspended, rather he was not allowed to return to school until he underwent a psychological exam
The eight year old, lacking certain artistic skills, drew x’s instead of eyes on the portrait of Jesus; this is what unnerved the teacher (so alleged by the school). There should be two courses taught to educators prior to them being able to go near children: one, a class on art and the limitations of those who may not be Michelangelo, and the second, a class on World Religion, including Christianity and its symbols. These in particular so that when faced with a Christian holiday, certain Christen symbols would not be so alien that an unnecessary visit to the shrink could be avoided. (Not to mention tons of bad press.)
Worth listening - From WRKO – The Howie Carr Show – Discussion on Taunton Teacher and School District action and policy regarding violence in Christianity.
2 comments:
I read this one and just shook my head as usual with this type idiocy. My idea is instead of having new courses in the government schools we should abolish the public school system.
It does not work on so many levels it is not worth keeping.
Hi Ralph,
Nothing really shocks me anymore about the public school system – it is so deeply ingrained with teaching “societal pseudo norms” that it’s amazing that anyone manages to get through the system with half and education. To wit, the cost of educating a child in the public school systems is, in most cases, two to three times higher than a private education (parochial) – yet, most parochial students learn the basics, (plus respect for both teachers and peers) and manage quite well (as in high school and college scholarships based on academic standings). What is most amusing is the school districts attempt at covering their behinds by knocking the parents - typical. Check out that public school in Detroit (story here) where the parents want the teachers jailed! The answer of throwing more money at the public schools is ridiculous, as it obviously hasn’t mattered a whit – throw out the unions, (in what universe are teachers with bachelors and masters degrees considered blue collar or at “risk”?), make the public sector competitive, and give those who want to dedicate themselves to actually teaching real incentive to do so. In addition, make some rules and stick to them - respect for teachers and peers should be taught first, (bring back reform school) teach civics and American History at the 3rd and 4th grade level – we have college graduates who have no clue as to how our government functions, let alone how to add two plus two – which is why… we have teachers who are absolutely clueless – and administrators with like minds.
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