Letters to the Editor

To the editor:

Thank you so much for publishing James Park’s article, “Creating Healthy Relationships: a Possible New Course at IHS.” I wish to correct one error: that it was not taught for three years, but was offered for three years in the Program of Studies.

Also, no contact info was given in order for students to contact me with their interest or questions as to how to further make this course a possibility.

Please contact Dianea Kohl by phone or email: kohldianea@yahoo.com or (607) 280-8326. What’s love got to do with it? Everything when it comes to a happy, successful life.

With appreciation,

Dianea

 

Hello, Staff of The Tattler:

My son is a senior at Ithaca High and regularly shares issues of The Tattler with me. The paper is well done, and I’m delighted to read talented writers covering topics relevant to them.

However, I am troubled by a recent Opinion column, “The Case for Trump,” in the November 2016 issue. The statement, “Islam itself fosters extremism” falsely characterizes an entire religion. Replace “Islam” with “Christianity” or “Judaism” in that sentence—religions that have a greater number of American adherents than Islam does—and it’s very clear how appalling the original statement is. There are more than a billion and a half Muslims worldwide, and they are culturally diverse. Islamic extremists are a very small minority of Muslims and are denounced by most adherents of the faith.

In light of the hate-filled rhetoric and attacks aimed against Muslim Americans, particularly during the recent U.S. election, I think it’s critical that our schools nurture a culture in which opinions can be freely expressed but not create a hostile environment for Muslim students by legitimizing stereotypes or propaganda.

I hope that the current Tattler advisor, editors, and writers can work out positive practices that represent all members of the IHS community and the issues that affect them accurately. When presenting an opinion, facts matter. And those facts should not be used to denigrate or defame.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

Pat Longoria

 

To the editor:

The recent issue of The IHS Tattler, published on November 2016/Vol. 124 #3 contained an article written by Isaiah Gutman with title of “The Case for Trump.” The statement written as “Islam itself fosters extremism as is seen all over the world in the sheer numbers of Muslims who believe in frankly insane and incredibly hostile ideas, especially surrounding women’s rights and homosexuality” is immensely incorrect, inappropriate, and misconstrues what Islam is and its beliefs.  

There are extremists no matter the religion, culture, society, or individual. Therefore, the above is an incorrect statement! I sincerely hope that it was not the intention of the writer to make such a statement without having the proper knowledge of teaching of Islam and beliefs of Muslims. I am hoping that even the editor oversaw this statement or failed to write this as a quote from Trump himself. If a supporter of abortion thinks it is perfectly permissible to take the life of an unborn child, whereas an Orthodox “extremist” non-supporter would find this as intolerable, does their personal preference make them “hostile” toward others?

Since this article is written about Trump and his views, then why not write about where Trump stands in regards to women or homosexuality and not emphasize the believers in Islam? The statement should not solely point out that only in “Islam” it is intolerable for women not to have rights or for homosexuals to be accepted. It is a disgrace to see that our institutions are propagating that only Islam is oppressive and supports terrorism!

As a parent and a well-educated, careered, devoted Muslim woman, and a member of the Ithaca community, I found this statement appalling. Therefore, I and others would also like to seek a formal written apology to the community and the readers of this article. It is imperative that our children/students learn things that are correct and that we guide with information that represents the truth!

Regards,

Sania Mollah

 

Hello Tattler staff:

As a parent of two IHS students, I am writing this letter concerning a recent Opinion column, “The Case for Trump.” Both of my sons came home on the day the article was published frustrated, sad, and angry. The article was apparently written by someone who does not support Trump; nonetheless, the writer was not aware of his audience. As per ICSD’s goals to promote student empowerment, this seems to do the very opposite. Since the school district has zero tolerance for bullying, yet it promotes stereotypical views of a minority student body, I wonder how empowered the students would feel?

I continue to wonder what it feels like to walk down the halls of a school where I am looked at as a Muslim “…who believe[s] in frankly insane and incredibly hostile ideas.” How wouldn’t a Muslim student feel like they are not being judged?  Is judging and alienating “Muslims” the goal of a high-school newspaper? Is the goal of the staff to make students feel judged at a time where they are still figuring out who they are?  It seems like my concerns are very in line with those of the state attorney general and state education commissioner.  

“We will not allow hateful rhetoric and acts of discrimination to follow students into the classroom, which must remain a place for our children to learn and grow in a positive and safe environment,” state attorney general Eric Schneiderman said in a statement.   

I am sure the ideas of the author could have been presented in a more considerate manner. In my opinion, I strongly believe that the editor or the supervising teacher could have suggested rephrasing the statement. Thank you for addressing this serious issue, and working towards creating a positive environment for ALL students at IHS.

Thanks,

Doa Abdel-Ghany

 

To all concerned: