Rob Horowitz: Civility Needed in Cranston
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The disgraceful treatment of Jessica Ahlquist, the 16-year-old Cranston High School West student who has courageously stood up for her belief in separation of church and state, must be addressed head-on by Cranston public officials who have an opportunity to teach important lessons about the need for civility and respect even when we disagree with another person's views or actions.
The threats and cyberbullying to which Jessica has been subjected by some of her fellow students is bad enough, but the actions of adults who are supposed to serve as role models is far worse. Boiling over on a local radio talkshow, a State Representative from Cranston called her “an evil little thing”, while other so-called grownups spewed outright hatred on social networks.
What triggered this recent venomous outpouring was last week's ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Ronald R. Lagueux, who -- based on decades of precedent -- ordered Cranston West to remove a prayer banner that hung prominently in the school. Ahlquist served as a plaintiff in the case that was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Whether prayer should be allowed in public schools continues to spur a robust public debate. The strong, negative reaction to the initial US Supreme Court decision prohibiting prayer in public schools in the '60s was instrumental in bringing about the rise of social conservatism as a lasting force in our nation's politics. Putting that aside, however, it is absolutely essential for adults --especially our public officials-- to set an example for how to argue about controversial issues without demonizing opponents.
A young person such as Jessica Ahlquist should be praised for standing up for her beliefs and becoming actively involved—not subjected to name calling and threats. Cranston officials, including members of the School Board, Mayor Fung and others, must correct this situation. It is simply not enough to just condemn these actions. Perhaps a school assembly or a day-long teach-in is called for at Cranston West in which this issue is put in the broader context of American history and the importance of adhering to democratic norms, as well as old-fashioned good behavior, is emphasized.
Rob Horowitz is a strategic and communications consultant who provides general consulting, public relations, direct mail services and polling for national and state issue organizations, various non-profits and elected officials and candidates. He is an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island.
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Comments:
john paycheck
11:59am on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
whether she is right or wrong...
1. don't you think she is just pawn in all of this?
2. how can a ten year old child decide that they are an aetheist? that is when she claims that she determined she was an aetheist?
3. did you know that steve brown of the aclu contacted her, not the other way around, to name her in the lawsuit? thius was documented ina radio interview.
4. do you think if she wants to go back to a normal life, she should maybe layoff twitter and facebook and shut down her website?
5. have you seen her website?? what do you think of it?
6. how much of this was the result of her efforts and actions and how much of the lawsuit was from adults using her to push their own agenda.
7. now they are soliciting donations for college? have you ever heard of a student doing things for the "common good" of mankind and then trying to profit from it personally.
Michael Trenn
7:52pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Civility? The child in question has made a YouTube video, excerpts of which I heard on the radio today. Clearly this child is reveling in the attention, and needs a civility lesson herself. Those who disagree with her are "beneath her." There are other comments in this vein, but that is the most egregious one. She also acted as if the opposing counsel was stupid because he was taken aback at the judge's (biased) question. This child has an air of entitlement that reminds me of the Governot himself, although she is far more articulate. Next time, pick a better example upon which to lecture us.
Tangie Miner
1:04pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I'm responding to comments already made.
1) How can a 10yo child decide they are an atheist? Well...how does a 10yo child decide she's Catholic or Protestant, Jewish or Hindu? When you answer that question, you'll have an answer to yours.
2) Steve Brown contacted Jessica after she had already shown interest in the cause by attending several meetings on the issue.
3) The college fund was started by a third party. The Ahlquist family had nothing to do with it.
4) You keep calling her a child and then seem surprised when some of her behaviors are child-like. I think you should be more surprised at the childish behavior of people like Rep. Palumbo and John DePetro.
Reality 2 Check
6:00pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Civility IS needed. You are right.
This young girl is a weapon for that faction of lunatics. You dare disagree? They will harrass you via email, phone, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and it goes on. They will sent vicious letters to your house with every insult imaginable.
They didn't want to win. They wanted to lose so they could punish everyone from the judge to the citizens to the school and so on.
They've been attacking everyone who dare to even refer to the story in a way that indicates they disagree. She puts on a great act. Academy Award even. She incites them and her parents should be held legally responsible for anyone hurt as a result of this.
Victim status is what they want, and don't recognize they're creating actual victims with their behavior. They measure being able to exercise their rights by how many peoples' rights they are able to violate.
Avoid her like the plague. Don't even think about her. Let her live in isolation with her sect followers. I hope she is never in need of help from someone who was hurt or violated by her attention-seeking antics.
Tangie Miner
8:07pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
I think comment #4 was from Rep. Palumbo or John DePetro. lol
Mike Govern
12:25pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Another over the top piece of garbage from a political hack.