La Opinión - noticias locales, nacionales e internacionales desde Los Ángeles - impre.com - Intimidation of parents:
"Intimidation of immigrants is a tactic used far too often, but that does not make it any less repugnant when it happens. All too frequently, conflicts end with threats of deportation as a way to force the undocumented to act against their own interests. It is outrageous that this is exactly what happened to Los Angeles parents concerned about their children’s education.
Last week, anonymous persons chose this strategy as a way to discourage undocumented parents of childen at Gratts Elementary School in the Pico-Union neighborhood from supporting charter schools. The missive warned them not to sign the petitions for charter schools because they could be deported."
It is appalling to find such threats occurring in the debate on educational reform taking place in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Poor academic performance has sparked a dramatic push for change, including exploring new alternatives for operating the schools. Charter schools are not a magical solution for education, but they are a valid option to consider among others. Yesterday was the deadline to submit bids to operate a group of public schools.
Those behind the threatening flyers oppose charter schools and are capable of stooping very low to prevent parents from having options for their children’s education. For these individuals, education has little to do with student learning and more with self-interest.
The threat of deportation is used to intimidate the undocumented and exploit their vulnerabilities. It is outrageous to use this tactic to pressure parents not to defend their children’s right to learn.
"Intimidation of immigrants is a tactic used far too often, but that does not make it any less repugnant when it happens. All too frequently, conflicts end with threats of deportation as a way to force the undocumented to act against their own interests. It is outrageous that this is exactly what happened to Los Angeles parents concerned about their children’s education.
Last week, anonymous persons chose this strategy as a way to discourage undocumented parents of childen at Gratts Elementary School in the Pico-Union neighborhood from supporting charter schools. The missive warned them not to sign the petitions for charter schools because they could be deported."
It is appalling to find such threats occurring in the debate on educational reform taking place in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Poor academic performance has sparked a dramatic push for change, including exploring new alternatives for operating the schools. Charter schools are not a magical solution for education, but they are a valid option to consider among others. Yesterday was the deadline to submit bids to operate a group of public schools.
Those behind the threatening flyers oppose charter schools and are capable of stooping very low to prevent parents from having options for their children’s education. For these individuals, education has little to do with student learning and more with self-interest.
The threat of deportation is used to intimidate the undocumented and exploit their vulnerabilities. It is outrageous to use this tactic to pressure parents not to defend their children’s right to learn.