Thread: Why son refused to stand

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/c...VBEDARD_S1.htm

I am the father of the young man who did not stand for the singing of the Mexican national anthem during a cultural awareness program at Larkin High School.

I have been constantly asked to explain the details of the event, and it is in response to these individuals that I offer the following facts.

Some of the students, my son included, were compelled to attend this assembly. The Mexican national anthem was printed on fliers and handed out to the attending students. The Mexican flag was marched in and placed on a podium by itself. The attendees were then asked to stand and sing the Mexican national anthem.

My son was not alone in his refusal to stand. Statements given to me by other youths and parents put the number of refusals at close to 20.

Larkin staff members immediately confronted the seated youth. Some of the students were threatened with in-school suspension; most of the seated students were intimidated into standing.

My son explained to the angry teacher who confronted him that he did not see a U.S. flag on the podium and he did not believe they were going to sing our national anthem. This teacher stated, "They have to stand for our national anthem, so you have to stand for theirs."

My son stated in response, "Yeah, but they're in our country."

The teacher called my son a punk and sent him to the office. The administrator in the office supported the teacher's demand and told my son that he could have made a more intelligent decision. My son was not formally disciplined. The teacher who confronted my son defended her actions to her students during class the following week.

I called Larkin principal Richard Webb to express my disappointment and concern. I described the manner in which my son had been treated. I was told that my son should have stood and that the school stood by its right to have this assembly in its chosen form.

I then exercised my right as a citizen and addressed the school board.

The press was present at the board meeting and media awareness snowballed from that point forward. Some of my statements to the board included, "I am disappointed that those responsible for creating an assembly intended to educate and sensitize Americans also felt free to act insensitively with regard to our culture. It is permissible to present another country's anthem alongside ours and receive standing respect. It is not reasonable to expect or demand that Americans stand and display respect for another flag and country in absence of the American anthem or flag."

I also asked the board to consider two positive actions. "First, encourage Larkin High School administrators to not underscore one culture to the exclusion of others. This ill-conceived mandatory assembly did nothing but widen the current schism. Second, I would ask the board to lay down some principles for future assemblies. While it is good educational practice to teach about other cultures, it is not an acceptable practice to require mandatory response to the patriotic elements of those cultures."

I was appalled by Webb's printed statement. Apologizing only for the "unfortunate spotlight" placed on the school does not acknowledge the process that brought the spotlight. Lack of proper oversight created an assembly that offended a large number of people. Teachers behaving badly guaranteed parental follow-through. Administrative silence and denial has perpetuated their arrogant image.

Trivializing the incident and belittling those it concerned has only confirmed Webb's lack of grounding with the community.
Since Dec. 8, 2004, educational institutions receiving federal funding are required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on Sept. 17 of each year. This year, Sept. 17 fell on a Saturday.

Our high school apparently chose on Sept. 16 not to hold an assembly on the Constitution of the United States, but to educate our youth on the patriotic elements of another country.

ONE DAY A YEAR for the US Constitution?? THAT is absurd. My grandson is a sophomore in high school this year and they are studying the Constitution in Civics. In fact, I was AMAZED when he brought his book to my house a couple of weeks ago.

I am PROUD that your son took a stand, had_enuf!! He must be listening to his MOM!

The portion in bold is from the father's letter. But I do agree with EVERYTHING he said.

No matter what the threat, our children would have remained seated as well. They "get it".

Sorry I misunderstood, had_enuf, but GOOD FOR HIM!

Originally Posted by LegalUSCitizen

No matter what the threat, our children would have remained seated as well. They "get it".

Good for you Legal. That's the way it's supposed to be.

of a way to send an email to this father? I would love to tell him and his son that we are behind them 110%!

He's EMS Fire Lt. Robert Bedard. The only email I could find was for the fire dept. elginfire@cityofelgin.org


The principal's name is Richard Webb. Here are 2 addresses for him: webb_r/lhs@dns.u46.k12.il.us or RichardWebb@u-46.org

Evidentally the public response has been such that he's added a response to the school's site. Webb's response to this assembly can be found at

http://www.u46.k12.il.us/lhs/main.html

I am no great letter writer and they probably won't print it but I had to fire back!






I read about this incident a few weeks ago and was absolutely livid that this school and its principal, not to mention school board, would allow a foreign flag to be raised much less demand that the students sing the pledge of allegiance of that foreign country!

The students that did not stand had every right to do so. This is America and we do NOT pledge allegiance to another country! I support them and their parents for taking a stand!

Political correctness is destroying this country. As far as diversity, yes, we are a diverse nation. However, diversity is being used as a political tool to force the American people to accept an invasion of this country. Calling someone a racist or vigilante, etc. simply because they do not agree with this invasion and for protecting their country and heritage, is simply a guilt trip that the politicians and pro illegal groups are trying to use to further their agenda. We are supposed to accept people coming into this country illegally, taking jobs, affordable housing, bringing in diseases, drugs, etc. while the big corporations American jobs putting even more Americans out of work? I don't think so!

The rights of the American people (this includes LEGAL citizens) are being undermined. Illegal aliens are being catered to and encouraged by the politicians and the large corporations that want to exploit both the illegal alien and the American people! Middle class America is being systematically wiped out!

Will I sit back and watch America, this country that our brave men and women of the military have fought for and still are fighting for be destroyed by politicians and corporate hacks! NO! What are these men and women going to come back to? It will not be the America that they left to go over seas to defend if we don't all start standing up and defend her here!

As to pledging allegiance to another country, this school and others had better think twice before attempting this stunt again. These are OUR children, not the governments! This is America. If you don't like it, you can most certainly leave!

Mapquest reveals the street address for Larkin High School as follows:
larkin High school
1475 larkin ave
Elgin Illinois
phone number is 1-847-888-5200
this is for anyone who wishes to write a letter of protest or make an phone call-