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Freedom
vs. Security: Challenge to Educators
By
Sybil Maimin
As
the nation enters a new kind of war in its efforts to end international
terrorism, the question of finding a balance between security
and freedom promises to be both daunting and contentious. An early
voice in the debate was the broadcast at the First Amendment Center
of WNYC’s “On the Line,” hosted by Brian Lehrer, which
tackled Defending Freedom In Its Hour of Maximum Danger: A
Challenge to Educators. The First Amendment Center, a forum
for exploration of free expression issues, is currently co-sponsoring,
with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development,
model schools that incorporate First Amendment principles in their
educational practices. On the broadcast, it was agreed that new
realities and uncertainties will pose many challenges to educators,
and schools will be a focal point where respect for freedoms will
be tested.
Charles Haynes of the Center reported that polls show that most
people, including educators, speak of having freedoms but cannot
identify them. One out of five teachers cannot name a single freedom
in the First Amendment, and a majority have been resistant to
allowing student legal rights; for example, distributing political
and religious material, in their schools. Freedom’s vulnerability
in times of crisis and the need to practice it responsibly will
be increasingly apparent in the aftermath of the World Trade Center
attacks. While certain crackdowns will be necessary, defense of
our basic freedoms remains paramount because without them, we
have nothing to fight for.
Discussion focused on crisis dynamics and possible intimidation
of dissenting voices. It is especially important that, in preparing
students for roles as active citizens, they learn to respect all
opinions and defend the right to have them. “It is not enough
to wave the flag at times like this,” exhorted Mr. Haynes, “we
must live the freedoms.” Relating the tragedy to religion, Joe
Loconte of the Heritage Center for Religion in a Civil Society
said schools fail to teach the role of religion in American life
leading to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Teachers
are confused about the line between institutional separation of
religion and schools, and the right of religious expression. Government
cannot impose religion but we are not free from encountering religions
of others, and students must be prepared to meet people from different
faiths and build a civic society together. In addition, schools
must be sensitive to students with no religious beliefs.
A panel of students and a teacher joined to discuss the effects
of the Trade Center disaster on their lives and their schools.
Addressing the overwhelming need of students to talk about the
attacks, Townsend Harris High School in Queens devoted an issue
of its student newspaper to letters, opinions, and statements.
A special meeting was held for Moslem students in the school where
they were greeted with warmth and promised ongoing support. Ilsa
Cowen, an English teacher and advisor to the school newspaper,
said her school’s reaction mirrored that of the country; “the
tragedy brought everyone together in shared feelings of warmth,
fear, and concern.” Hunter College held a teach-in where issues
of terrorism, why the United States is targeted, and dissent from
the President’s position were discussed. A student anti-war campaign
has begun. Students expressed fear of the draft but, for the moment,
most were focused on coping.
Education Update, Inc., P.O. Box 20005, New York, NY 10001. Tel:
(212) 481-5519. Fax: (212) 481-3919. Email: ednews1@aol.com.
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the publisher. © 2001.
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