Stepping Back
Lexington Minuteman July 20, 2006
Guest Commentary
"Stepping Back" by David Parker
I am writing concerning the recent playground incident and guest commentary in the Minuteman paper entitled, "Moving Forward."
With respect to recreating an accurate account of any incident with the testimony of many young children a month later, there are bound to be differences in the exact story. The principal in her "investigation" of the incident attempted to persuade my son to admit that the altercation was just "a game."
She repeatedly asserted, "Wasn't this just a game, Jacob?" She persisted even after he said "no." At some point, my so said, "What kind of a game involves punching me?" She continued, "I'm confused, the aid said it was a game." This technique is called "leading the witness," but my son held firm in the truth. If this is any indication of how the "investigation" was conducted, I have serious concerns over the veracity of the administration's account of the incident. This is an absolute outrage.
When my wife asked the assistant principal about the details of the incident and action taken, she was told, "This is private and personal." However, LexingtonCares issued a press release before the school administration. I guess it was just private from us as parents.
Some have entirely missed the essence of our concerns. At least three children that the school claims did not "participate" at all (there is dispute here), but were in the "observing" crowd, have previously said things to my son to bring him to tears. My wife and I are well aware of what their parents have written and said publicly. It is clear from what these children said to my son, they have been influenced by adults that stand against our views.
Furthermore, the LexingtonCares group knew about the altercation before MassResistance sent out a press release. The story went public on local TV weeks before the press release when I appeared with Laura Tully (of LexingtonCares).
There have been many examples of harmful rhetoric and false accusations. The following excerpt is from Rep. Jay Kaufman's official Web site. It states that these words were read in response to a parental rights rally on the Lexington Green held by supporters of David Parker. I assume these words were read in the presence of the many children that the participating adults brought into the fray:
"I say that teaching your children to hate is not a parental right. It's a parental wrong. Teaching your children that others are lesser souls or should have fewer rights is a parental wrong. Teaching your children that it's OK to feel morally superior or to impose your standards on others are parental wrongs." We are in no way teaching our children this! And wasn't that Tom Griffith and Helen Cohen [school committee members] standing with children at the counter-vigil on parental rights?
The assertion of the School Committee and the superintendent that our allegations of adult influence of the playground incident are "entirely without merit" is self0serving and delusional. There are plenty of facts that MassResistance has brought to light concerning this unfortunate incident and events preceding it that are unsettling and undisputed. There does not have to be a direct "call of attack" by adults on my son to prompt concern here. The deluge of circumstantial evidence should be cause enough for pause and introspection. This is the exact logic used to suspend children from using the term "gay" in a less-than-superlative fashion.
With regard to the assertion of the guest commentary, "some feel that parents who brought the lawsuit against the schools have used their own child and other first-graders to further their agenda," I find this statement highly offensive and ironic. The "misuse of children" referred to is cause for some to look in the mirror.
I acknowledge there is hurt in the community; my family has deeply felt the pain for over a year. I do accept that I should have talked the incident over with the parents of the "perpetrating" child before further external discussion so that they completely understood our concerns. I am grieved to them for my oversight. I acted from the contemplation of the hurt my son and family has endured.
Take a step back and look deeply within yourselves. What have you said about these issues in the presence of children? What was your tone? The demeanor of children can be influenced powerfully by adults. How will they act this out? How will they influence other children?
[Superintendent] Paul Ash has described the incident numerous times as "a playground scuffle." If someone went into his office and punched him in the chest, abdomen, and genitals to the point he fell to the floor, would he describe it as "just an office scuffle?"
Furthermore, Ash has been asked about the validity to the "right wing's claims." Ash replied, "Zero; this is complete bull." Oh really?
Where there is no stepping back in reflection, there will be no moving forward. My right to direct the moral upbringing of my children without undue burden or interference will be secured, so help me God of Abraham.
David Parker is a Lexington resident.
Guest Commentary
"Stepping Back" by David Parker
I am writing concerning the recent playground incident and guest commentary in the Minuteman paper entitled, "Moving Forward."
With respect to recreating an accurate account of any incident with the testimony of many young children a month later, there are bound to be differences in the exact story. The principal in her "investigation" of the incident attempted to persuade my son to admit that the altercation was just "a game."
She repeatedly asserted, "Wasn't this just a game, Jacob?" She persisted even after he said "no." At some point, my so said, "What kind of a game involves punching me?" She continued, "I'm confused, the aid said it was a game." This technique is called "leading the witness," but my son held firm in the truth. If this is any indication of how the "investigation" was conducted, I have serious concerns over the veracity of the administration's account of the incident. This is an absolute outrage.
When my wife asked the assistant principal about the details of the incident and action taken, she was told, "This is private and personal." However, LexingtonCares issued a press release before the school administration. I guess it was just private from us as parents.
Some have entirely missed the essence of our concerns. At least three children that the school claims did not "participate" at all (there is dispute here), but were in the "observing" crowd, have previously said things to my son to bring him to tears. My wife and I are well aware of what their parents have written and said publicly. It is clear from what these children said to my son, they have been influenced by adults that stand against our views.
Furthermore, the LexingtonCares group knew about the altercation before MassResistance sent out a press release. The story went public on local TV weeks before the press release when I appeared with Laura Tully (of LexingtonCares).
There have been many examples of harmful rhetoric and false accusations. The following excerpt is from Rep. Jay Kaufman's official Web site. It states that these words were read in response to a parental rights rally on the Lexington Green held by supporters of David Parker. I assume these words were read in the presence of the many children that the participating adults brought into the fray:
"I say that teaching your children to hate is not a parental right. It's a parental wrong. Teaching your children that others are lesser souls or should have fewer rights is a parental wrong. Teaching your children that it's OK to feel morally superior or to impose your standards on others are parental wrongs." We are in no way teaching our children this! And wasn't that Tom Griffith and Helen Cohen [school committee members] standing with children at the counter-vigil on parental rights?
The assertion of the School Committee and the superintendent that our allegations of adult influence of the playground incident are "entirely without merit" is self0serving and delusional. There are plenty of facts that MassResistance has brought to light concerning this unfortunate incident and events preceding it that are unsettling and undisputed. There does not have to be a direct "call of attack" by adults on my son to prompt concern here. The deluge of circumstantial evidence should be cause enough for pause and introspection. This is the exact logic used to suspend children from using the term "gay" in a less-than-superlative fashion.
With regard to the assertion of the guest commentary, "some feel that parents who brought the lawsuit against the schools have used their own child and other first-graders to further their agenda," I find this statement highly offensive and ironic. The "misuse of children" referred to is cause for some to look in the mirror.
I acknowledge there is hurt in the community; my family has deeply felt the pain for over a year. I do accept that I should have talked the incident over with the parents of the "perpetrating" child before further external discussion so that they completely understood our concerns. I am grieved to them for my oversight. I acted from the contemplation of the hurt my son and family has endured.
Take a step back and look deeply within yourselves. What have you said about these issues in the presence of children? What was your tone? The demeanor of children can be influenced powerfully by adults. How will they act this out? How will they influence other children?
[Superintendent] Paul Ash has described the incident numerous times as "a playground scuffle." If someone went into his office and punched him in the chest, abdomen, and genitals to the point he fell to the floor, would he describe it as "just an office scuffle?"
Furthermore, Ash has been asked about the validity to the "right wing's claims." Ash replied, "Zero; this is complete bull." Oh really?
Where there is no stepping back in reflection, there will be no moving forward. My right to direct the moral upbringing of my children without undue burden or interference will be secured, so help me God of Abraham.
David Parker is a Lexington resident.
posted by David Parker at 10:00 AM
