Submitted by ann, May 4, 2007 11:39

Before we all get fired up over the idea of an Arabic school housed in a public school and paid for with taxpayers money, why don't we find out just exactly what their curriculum will look like? Who will teach and administer the school? What are their credentials to teach? Given the current situation in the Mid-East, and our involvement in that conflict, it might be in our own best interest to open our minds and understanding to a culture we know little about.

From the standpoint of Arabs living in this country, I can understand that they feel the media has created an anti-Arab sentiment here. Certainly a simple lesson in current events can so easily be misapplied to include all Arabs living here. All we have to do is look to how our education system almost destroyed our Native American culture.

The way to ensure that "terrorism" isn't being espoused in this school, would be to make ourselves knowledgeable about who these people really are. Our fear that this school could become a front for terrorist or Anti-American organizations is founded on our fear that is fueled by our ignorance.

Of course, a more democratic solution would be to include Arabic Studies into all classrooms. Let;s break down the barriers of our own prejudices, and show we are not afraid to learn who Arabs are. We'd be doing our young people a better favor in preparing them for their futures. Don't let our ignorance and fears cloud the purpose of education. It can't always be what makes us feel warm and fuzzy. And lastly, maybe through intelligent, compassionate understanding, someday our children will be able to vote for a president who really understands world diplomacy.

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