Promote tolerance and Americanism, not ethnic pride - Reader comments at The New York Sun

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Brooklyn Arabic School

Submitted by Assemblyman Michael Benjamin, Jun 28, 2007 13:35

I was as disturbed to learn about the Khahil Gibran School as I was to learn about the Hellenic Classical Charter School, which promotes Greek culture. While, due to public school demographics, both schools will enroll predominantly black students, I believe that public schools should inculcate American civic values, promote tolerance, strive for academic excellence, and produce graduates prepared for college and/or joining the workforce.

I believe that I have good relations with the Muslim and other ethnic communities in my borough. I'm a major supporter of school choice and pubic charter schools. An excellent public school education, of which I am a beneficiary, will teach students the valued contributions made to civilization by Arabs, Greeks, Muslims, Catholics, Jews, Africans, etc. Every public school should offer foreign language instruction in order to educate students with the skilled needed to succeed in our global economy.

We will always have people with real or imagined grievances who will blame others for their lack of success. They will be easily manipulated by criminal gangs or terrorist spellbinders. Vigilance based on our love of country and the desire to preserve the public order, will protect us. America succeeds when we evolve as "Americans." I hope I won't have to introduce legislation to teach "Americanism" in NYS public schools.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
this is a great idea i think every school should provide these services all children should learn different culture and... [MORE]	Ms Palermo	Nov 23, 2007 09:04
While I can't speak specifically to the individuals chosen to be involved in the school, accept to say that hopefully... [MORE]	Ian	Sep 4, 2007 13:18
At a time when the public school system is so under-funded, why does what is basically a private school qualify... [MORE]	BSI	Aug 17, 2007 10:25
I was as disturbed to learn about the Khahil Gibran School as I was to learn about the Hellenic Classical...	Assemblyman Michael Benjamin	Jun 28, 2007 13:35
I agree with the Assemblyman, Michael Benjamin! We are being extremely (& sometimes pathetically) careful not to offend ANYONE!!! We... [MORE]	Patricia Vasenius	Jul 18, 2007 02:25
Your editorialist and many of the readers responding to the editorial seem to be confused about the nature of Arabs... [MORE]	Dave Hall	May 17, 2007 22:27
I completely agree with Dave Hall. Arab does not equal Muslim, and yes, the author and readers are definately confused... [MORE]	HMG	Jun 19, 2007 12:11
It seems the same principles apply here as in the upstate Kiryas Joel case, which involved public funding of a... [MORE]	David	May 17, 2007 11:45
David...Should Public Money be spent on learning the French Language? [MORE]	M.M	Aug 20, 2007 23:18
The Sun's extensive coverage of this school implies that it is some sort of quasi-religious institution, akin to a yeshiva... [MORE]	Tim Geoghegan	May 8, 2007 22:37
To: The Editors I agree with you unequivocally. Furthermore, because we have such divisiveness growing--we need our children (future leaders) to... [MORE]	Nancy Joyce Jancourtz	May 8, 2007 14:38
No tax revenues should be used to establish schools for specific religious or cultural accomodation. If the district sees fit... [MORE]	John Bryan	May 8, 2007 10:23
No public funds for religious schools. We want our kids to grow up together - not separate. Same for christain... [MORE]	steve	May 8, 2007 11:04
This is a school with a cultural focus, which allows students of a variety of races and religions to learn... [MORE]	Karen Vaughan	Jun 18, 2007 13:47
Is this the way to best help the immigrant assimilate into this society? I've taught for 32 years in middle... [MORE]	RJC	May 8, 2007 08:46
My grandparents came to this country through Ellis Island from Russia with the children they had at that time. They... [MORE]	Dorothy Wachsstock	May 8, 2007 13:36

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