Monday, September 20, 2010

Perhaps there just wasn't time.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs 15th September - 15th October.  Constitution Day is 17th September.

So I asked the girls Friday afternoon whether they had celebrated Constitution Day.  Linda said no.  Bobbie initially said yes, but then corrected herself.  They had not learned about the Constitution, but Father Hidalgo.

See, here's the thing.  I don't have a problem with Hispanic Heritage Month, though I do think it's a bit stupidly named.  (I heartily dislike the lumping-together of several discrete cultures implied by the word Hispanic, as though a Mexican and a Cuban are one and the same, but that's a rant for another day.)  I learned about Miguel Hidalgo in school.  We have an Hidalgo county.  Texas's time as part of Coahuila y Tejas is as important to learn about as is its time as a Republic.

What I have a problem with is the school's inability to take one freaking day out of Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate the US Constitution.

I recognize that, as the parent of two in government schools, there are holes in their education I'll have to fill in.  This shouldn't be one of  them.  Basic US History should come from a school paid for by the US government. 

3 comments:

Charlene said...

As a citizen I get the privilege of living in America, working hard, paying my taxes, voting in every election and trying to do a kindness at every opportunity. I figure that's living the promise of the Constitution daily.

I don't get all bent out of shape when it's Oktoberfest or there's a parade and wild celebration of St. Patrick's Day. So when it's African American month or there's a festival for Hispanics, that's ok too.

the pistolero said...

I don't get all bent out of shape when it's Oktoberfest or there's a parade and wild celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Neither did Sabra. She was getting rightly bent out of shape because because her kids weren't quite getting taught what they should. "Living the promise of the Constitution" is one thing. Not celebrating Constitution Day is quite another.

Bob S. said...

My son is a senior in high school taking Government this semester.

They covered the Bill of Rights; great.

How was the 2nd Amendment covered? In 20 minutes; summed up by the teacher saying "In the 2nd Amendment, the government gives the people the right to keep and bear arms"

I asked son several times to make sure he had the quote right. He remembered it because he couldn't believe a teacher would make that kind of mistake.

It isn't a hole, it is a plan.