Abuse of authority and endorsement of religion at California public school
I’m calling on my fellow secularists, atheists, and, indeed, all those who care about the U.S. Constitution and how non-Christians are treated in the United States.
The principal at Emperor Elementary school in Temple City, California, USA — Kathy Perini — is fiercely Christian. In the teachers’ areas of the school, she has religious messages spread throughout. But that’s not what I’m complaining about. Those target adults.
At the “Breakfast With Santa” today, I got a complete blow-off when I brought up my concerns about the music being played (loudly) in the area where those attending were to eat. It wqas all seriously hard-core Christian carols and songs — indeed, not a secular song to be heard, until, by accident, “Let It Snow” came on the mix as I was leaving in protest.
“Complete blow-off” is not strong enough, though. When she said that she had it put together specially, and I asked “You do understand my point, though, right?”, her “Yes” was accompanied by a wicked smile. The smile of someone abusing authority. The smile of a bigot. The smile that says “I have power, you have none.”
She is wrong, and not only morally. She is wrong that we, as citizens, as secularists, have no power.
We have power.
I’m organizing a letter-writing campaign. Please consider writing a paper-and-envelope letter to the Temple City Unified School District, expressing whatever concerns you have about this incident. Please feel free to post here asking for more information. And, if and when you send a letter, please note so here. I think we can easily get 100.
Here is what I have sent to local newspapers:
At the “Breakfast With Santa” event held at Emperor Elementary School (Temple City, California) on December 5th, 2009, strongly (and exclusively) Christian carols and hymns were played loudly in the auditorium where attendees were to eat the breakfast they purchased at the event. I approached Principal Kathy Perini and expressed my discomfort at the music choices. She explained they were put together for the event to “Make it nice for the holidays”. While she understood my secular concerns, she expressed an intention to continue playing them.
This is illegal, inappropriate, and an abuse of her office. Temple City Schools must abide by California standards and the US Constitution. Students from families of other faiths — and those of no faith — deserve to be educated in as respectful and inclusive an environment as the children of Christians. Citizens’ tax dollars must not sponsor partisan religious behavior by school administrators. A formal written apology by Mrs. Perini, distributed to every student at the school, and a commitment to abandon such behavior in the future, is the only appropriate course of action.
I have sent similar letters to our California State Assemblyperson and Senator; Governor Schwarzenegger; the California Board of Education; the Freedom From Religion Foundation; the ACLU; the Center For Inquiry: West; and American Atheists. If you have a blog, Twitter account, or social networking account, please consider propagating this.
We can make a change.
We have power.
Here is contact info.
Read MoreTemple City School Board
c/o Temple City Unified School District
9700 Las Tunas Drive
Temple City, CA 91780
Phone: (626) 548-5000
Fax: (626) 548-5022
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