Rhea Côté Robbins

Please read this editorial and then refute its premise

Please read this editorial and then refute its premise: 10:51am
For a quick reference, bill text, and more, go to:
Franco-American News & Events, 8
http://fanset8.blogspot.com/2009_02_18_archive.html
Info on the legislation

Post/and forward:

fyi: Please review and comment at the website on this editorial--link below. best, Rhea Cote Robbins
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SEPARATE ETHNIC HISTORY COURSES NOT NEEDED

Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 02/21/2009

The state's Franco-American history is an important element of Maine's culture. Yet because of prejudice against Franco-Americans, the value of that history was long denigrated and even denied.

But times have changed and the major role played in Maine by those of French heritage is increasingly understood and celebrated. There are Franco-American museums in Maine, we celebrate festivals of French culture and gone are the days when ethnic slurs are directed at those with French accents.

We understand the sentiment behind a bill submitted by Rep. Brian Bolduc, D-Auburn, to add Franco-American history to the Maine Learning Results and require a course in it for graduation. It's a way of making sure that Maine students learn about that history.

But we don't believe Bolduc's bill is a good idea. The state already requires that Maine history, including its cultural and ethnic aspects, be taught to students. Bolduc's bill is redundant and unnecessary.

It also is symptomatic of a lamentable trend: The use of the state's learning results by politicians as a vehicle for scoring sentimental political points. We value Maine's Franco heritage, just as we value its Native American and Finnish and women's and Jewish heritages. But we believe that there is no end to the loading on of identity group history requirements -- which are, as we say, properly dealt with in the directive to teach the cultural and ethnic aspects of our state's history.

Editorials represent the opinion of the Editorial Board of this newspaper: Publisher John Christie, Executive Editor Eric Conrad and Opinion Page Editor Naomi Schalit.

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/view/columns/5972822.html

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Joyce MillerPermalien Réponse de Joyce Miller le 21 Février 2009 à 12 39
Public schools teach history and state history with a nod to ethnic groups. Ethnic history should be taught, according to the population of the state, in public schools. It should be taught to ensure that people of the ethnic group know and understand who they are and have pride in their origins. It should also be taught so that the majority of the population also understands the culture and the contributions the group has made to the state and the culture of the state.
Maine should be very very proud to be one of the states that has a large population of Franco-Americans. This group has had more influence on American culture and politics than just about any other group, and very little is known and appreciated about the culture that brought forth so much talent and expertise. It is not enough to give a nod to the ethnic groups. If we, our children, our grandchilren and our descendants are going to understand our culture, we need to know as much about our ethnic groups as we do about the people who fought the revolution that created our country. Maine should be proud that they are the home of the ancestors of so many great Americans. Refusing to teach Franco-American history is simply a way to hide this knowledge from the state's children. Such a course would also help children of other ethnic groups understand how important their group is and why they should be proud of their heritage.
Dr. Joyce Miller
Paul J. GutmanPermalien Réponse de Paul J. Gutman le 29 Mai 2009 à 10 12
It is true that Franco-American museums exist in Maine, and it is also true that Franco-American festivals (such as La Kermesse and Madawaska's annual Acadian Festival) are now visibly celebrated. However, it's not true that "gone are the days when ethnic slurs are directed at those with French accents." Even today, people still make fun of "the accent." Even worse, many of those same people who can't get enough of "the accent" find it difficult to hear a conversation (or even songs!) in the language "the accent" came from. Franco-American culture and history should be taught in depth.

Paul Gutman-Presque Isle, Aroostook County. (Not Bangor, but the real Northern Maine.)

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