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Sixth-graders face discipline for 'Hit a Jew Day'
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by Amy Judd | October 24, 2008 at 09:33 am
953 views | 47 Recommendations | 27 comments
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Religion and State in Israel - April 28, 2008 (Section 1)
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Hit a Jew Day gets 6th graders in trouble.
Sixth-grade students from Parkway West Middle School in Chesterfield, St. Louis are going to be disciplined for creating 'Hit a Jew Day' or 'Slap a Jew Day', and then going around hitting Jewish classmates.
About four or five students could be suspended and made to undergo counseling for the incident that involved taunting Jewish students and encouraged others to take part.
About 10 Jewish students were involved. One was slapped in the face, while others on their backs and shoulders.
"There is a mix of sadness and outrage," said district spokesman Paul Tandy. "The concern is a lot of kids knew about it and they didn't take action or say anything."
AP explains:
It began with an unofficial "Spirit Week" among sixth-graders that started harmlessly enough with a "Hug a Friend Day." Then there was "High Five Day."
Soon, though, the days moved from friendly to silly. Next there was "Hit a Tall Person Day" and, finally, "Hit a Jew Day."
Principal Linda Lelonek told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch she learned about the incidents Monday and called an assembly Tuesday morning.
"What's tomorrow going to be? 'Hit A Principal Day?'" she asked.
Karen Aroesty, St. Louis regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said this was more than a case of bullying. Her group is meeting tomorrow with district leaders.
"It is shocking and distressing to see anti-Semitism acted out by middle school students," Aroesty said a statement. "Our schools and schoolyards are places where respect and understanding should be the norm. We appreciate that administrators are responding swiftly and look forward to working with Parkway West Middle School to turn these incidents into teachable moments that will resonate both in the classroom and at home."
The students will be studying the Holocaust later in the year.
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at 10:30 on October 24th, 2008
Maybe our children are the people our parents warned us about.
However, keeping on the lyrics theme, it reminds me - Rodgers & Hammerstein, South Pacific 1949
Source: lyricsondemand.com
at 10:15 on October 24th, 2008
You gotta be &%#in' kidding me... Really, it's just another version of hang-a-noose-from-a-school-tree day, which we're all too familiar with.
at 10:48 on October 24th, 2008
Where did you go to school??!!
at 12:07 on October 24th, 2008
What was not mentioned is that the kids had planned "Whack a WASP Day" the following day.
at 12:29 on October 24th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff. This is FRIGHTENING !! It makes me wander what the parents of these kids are telling these kids. There's no way a 6th grader could understand Anti Semitism/ or hatred acts towards Jewish people WITHOUT learning it from somewhere.
at 12:57 on October 24th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
I can only say this... Dear Lord... Holy Zen... But, I wonder who came up with that bright idea for this "Hit a Jew Day."
at 13:06 on October 24th, 2008
at 13:07 on October 24th, 2008
If true, does that make either OK?
at 13:47 on October 24th, 2008
I don't see the problem. No good God fearing Christian child was hit and George Bush was not attacked. I think all we can do is pray for the kids and the associated families souls. Matter resolved.
at 13:52 on October 24th, 2008
That comment is ridiculous!
at 13:52 on October 24th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 15:10 on October 24th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff. Your KIDDING Me! What the heck is Hit a Jew day! Please tell me this is not wide spread.
at 15:13 on October 24th, 2008
No Kidding. I guess if we are equal we can have hit a Muslim as well. How sick. How about Hug a WASP, Jew and Muslim day! But that would be called sexual harassment
at 15:58 on October 24th, 2008
That is amazingly weird! Can't believe they did that.
at 16:24 on October 24th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 16:44 on October 24th, 2008
Yikes - where did you go to school... i never heard that - omg
All we had was "grab a heiny day" and it could be any ones butt
at 16:47 on October 24th, 2008
Most people know these types of attitudes and behavior are learned at home. Of course, given the tactics of John McCain and Sarah Palin, they seem to legitimize racial hatred. Nothing like our government setting a great example.
at 17:30 on October 24th, 2008
What are you talking about! McCain is probably one of the least racial folks I know. Give me one example of McCain's racial hatred... a quote will do here. The only candidate to bring up race in this campaign has come exclusively from the democratic party (i.e. Clinton, Obama).
at 20:07 on October 24th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 04:47 on October 25th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 04:47 on October 26th, 2008
amyjudd, This is in fact a very old problem, my jewish friends tell me how they were bullied at school because they were jewish. My mothers family changed their family name before World War II.
My mother married a Christian and I was sent to school not knowing that I was jewish by birth with out thinking about the fact I had been circumsticed of which is pretty unusual for a Christian in UK. Much later on in life I of course started asking questions and 10 years ago I changed my faith to my Mothers.
To be truthful the circumstances of my life have been a blessing as I have never recieved anti-semetic bullying. Many Jewish people in UK went into hiding and changed their family name as anti-semicism was rife in UK before the war. Many pretended to be christians (Church of England).
Anti-Semitism is very scary and jewish kids suffer this bullying in todays modern world. The problem is the kids copy the parents hatred for jews. I blame the roman empire and constantine for ensuring that the Jews were blamed for Jesus Christs death when the Roman Catholic religion was formulated, when the truth is it was the romans that killed Jesus because they thought he was aiming to be the new king of Israel.
One can not set standards for a new religion for an empire and then state that we of course killed the saviour. I feel sorry for the jewish kids and would hazard a logic opinion that such anti-semetic attacks will crop up through out their lives especially if they wear the traditional clothes. It sad but true.
at 06:45 on October 26th, 2008
Good stuff Amy , as a muslim I believe people should be judged by their deeds, original sin is not islamic. But the romans didnt try to kill Jesus the Jewish people of that time did. Still kids will be kids some may have had malicious intentions but you cannot transplant adult morality onto children
at 06:45 on October 26th, 2008
Good stuff Amy , as a muslim I believe people should be judged by their deeds, original sin is not islamic. But the romans didnt try to kill Jesus the Jewish people of that time did. Still kids will be kids some may have had malicious intentions but you cannot transplant adult morality onto children
at 14:36 on October 26th, 2008
Hi Sputnic,
The Romans, according to theological "history" crucified Jesus. Besides, Jesus(Joshua) was a Jew and died as a Jew the last time I read about this episode.
While children as adults take on their own (karma) so to speak, as children they learn from their parents and culture how to frame their sense of self and how to view the outside world. Harold Gardner, a respected Harvard professor states that everything a child needs to learn is pretty much set in stone by age 7. Not that a child can't change but by 7 years old there view of self in relation to the outside world is pretty much set for life. There are many other people I can site that say pretty much the same thing.
Steve(tikun)
at 15:13 on October 26th, 2008
I went to this middle school, and i went to the high school that is in the same district, and let me say that it was really the administration that were the ones offended. in that district, there are a lot of jewish people, and a lot of christians, and a lot of muslims, etc., etc. and we have fun with each other, and we joke around with each other. People need to realize that this was nothing more than an inside joke, and in no way was mean to be anti-semetic. There is a great amount of diversity in that district, and no one has ever been excluded due to their religion. They're just 6th graders being 6th graders.
at 09:21 on October 29th, 2008
I had the opportunity to cut the hair of one of the children suspended. I can say that from the conversation with him all was intended innocently. The day before was slap a tall person day. Obviously there is a giant difference between the two, although neither can change their status. ie: tall, or Jewish. This student indicated that some of the teachers participated in high five day?? Did they not think that slap a tall person day, or slap a jew day was a problem?
My question goes to the teachers and the principal of the school- when any person is being struck in a public school situation then it is the responsibility of those in charge to administer lessons. The complaints came after the day of "slapping" , which indicates that the situation was allowed to happen. Given the circumstances the school could have used this situation to teach about racial, and religious insensitivity. An opportunity missed, and a lack of supervision on their part. Kids are kids and they need to be taught, that is all of our responsibility.
bp
at 14:31 on February 20th, 2009
vbl , who went to that school, writes:
"...and in no way was mean to be anti-semetic"
Given the context, it definitely does not appear to be based on anti-semitism, just as the "hit a tall person" was not based on the anti-takll-ism.
What it WAS based on is ANY perceived difference, any of WHICH is immediately picked up by kids.
THUS, when a classmate is much taller, he/shge stands out, and is then perceived as different. Same for a kid who is much fatter than everyone else.
Whether that PERCEPTION is merely a perception of FACTUAL differences, or or whether it leads to DISCRIMINATORY behavior, that is the question.
Now some would argue that a slap is a discriminating behavior, but in THIS context, it appears, that things had morphed into a slap mode, of all perceived differences. Thus, there was no discrimination against jews per-se.
HOWEVER, because DIFFERENCES were perceived, it MUST call out the ADL, because, they don't just object to discrimination (and rightly so), they also object to anyone NOTICING the difference of being jewish (not rightly so). Jews are different, yet the ADL would have us beleive they are not.
Without putting any value judgement on it, jews are different from chirstians, as are muslims.
This the ADL never allows to be said, they will immediatley cry "anti-semitism".
Yet, the religion itself teaches, that ONLY jews are god's chosen people, no one else is. So, while jews believe they are differnt, and anyone else is a goyim, we best dare not bring this out.
SO, when kids take notice, they must be disciplined into beleiveng jews are people just like them (even when behind closed doors during Sabbath service, something else is taught.)
Notice how it is always just the ADL objecting? A mere 2.5-3% of Americans are Jews, that makes them different, a TINY minority. Hopefully the lesson these kids will take from this is how they were treated when they dared to encroach on the SPECIAL PEOPLE.
Keep it up ADL, you are special.