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2011/10/17 17:38:12
Subject: TX High School Students Made To Recite Mexican National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance
Students in a Texas public high school were made to stand up and recite the Mexican national anthem and Mexican pledge of allegiance as part of a Spanish class assignment, but the school district maintains there was nothing wrong with the lesson.
It happened last month in an intermediate Spanish class at Achieve Early College High School in McAllen, Texas — a city located about 10 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
(Related: Listen to Glenn Beck interview the father of the girl who refused to recite the pledge)
Wearing red, white and green, students had to memorize the Mexican anthem and pledge and stand up and recite them in individually in front of the class.
That didn’t go over well with sophomore Brenda Brinsdon. The 15-year-old sat down and refused to participate. She also caught it all on video:
“I just thought it was out of hand, I didn’t think it was right,” she told The Blaze. “Reciting pledges to Mexico and being loyal to it has nothing to do with learning Spanish.”
She said she was particularly offended because the presentations in teacher Reyna Santos’s class took place during “Freedom Week,” the week after the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and on U.S. Constitution Day — the same day as Mexico’s Independence Day.
“Why are we doing their independence when it‘s Freedom Week and it’s also Constitution Day?” Brinsdon said.
Brinsdon said she complained to the school principal, Yvette Cavazo, who told her it was part of the curriculum and that she should participate. Her father, William, also got involved, calling the school district superintendent to complain.
When Brenda made clear she would not stand up and recite the pledge, she was given an alternative assignment: an essay on the history of the Mexican revolution.
Meanwhile, other students continued with their presentations, which took place over the course of several days.
When Brinsdon talked to Santos — a first-year teacher at Achieve — about her new assignment, the teacher told her she grew up in Mexico.
“She told me that she loved Mexico,” Brinsdon said.
School district spokesman Mark May defended the presentations, saying it’s a state requirement for upper-level language classes to teach about foreign culture.
According to the state’s Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards, students are expected to gain “knowledge and understanding” of other cultures and use the language to demonstrate understanding of different practices and perspectives. There are no specific requirements about learning to recite pledges or anthems.
May said it’s up to the teacher how to interpret and teach the standards.
“It wasn’t required to pledge loyalty and renounce the U.S., they were simply spreading the culture of another country,” May told The Blaze. “In my mind it’s no different from memorizing a poem or memorizing a passage from Shakespeare.”
William Brinsdon took issue with that notion, saying if that’s the case it cheapens the pledge.
“You‘re taking their allegiance and their oath from Mexico and cheapening it just as a grade or words don’t mean anything,” he said.
May reiterated that the lesson was all done within the context of meeting the state requirements, and that the school did its duty providing Brenda with an alternative assignment when she objected.
“The students came away with a better understanding of the culture, heritage and customs of a neighboring country where Spanish is the primary language,” he said.
May added that the lesson was “well received” by other students and parents.
“There’s always going to be people that always feel a little bit differently,” May said.
William Brinsdon is still having a hard time fathoming the idea of reciting foreign pledges and anthems in a U.S. public school in the first place.
“Our kids don’t even know the [American] national anthem and here we are…teaching them to memorize and perform the national anthem for Mexico,” he said. “I just think it’s so backwards.”
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/10/17 20:47:57
Mannahnin wrote:A lot of folks online (and in emails in other parts of life) use pretty mangled English. The idea is that it takes extra effort and time to write properly, and they’d rather save the time. If you can still be understood, what’s the harm? While most of the time a sloppy post CAN be understood, the use of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling is generally seen as respectable and desirable on most forums. It demonstrates an effort made to be understood, and to make your post an easy and pleasant read. By making this effort, you can often elicit more positive responses from the community, and instantly mark yourself as someone worth talking to.
insaniak wrote: Every time someone threatens violence over the internet as a result of someone's hypothetical actions at the gaming table, the earth shakes infinitisemally in its orbit as millions of eyeballs behind millions of monitors all roll simultaneously.
2011/10/17 17:49:04
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Yeah, that really got blown out of proportion. When I taught in S. Korea, some students wanted to know about the pledge of allegiance and even recited it; that didn't mean they cared about their country any less but it did help them understand a part of American culture. I suppose since I stood during the Japanese national anthem that I'm a secret fascist and will drive around in a black van now with loudspeakers on top proclaiming my love of the emperor (Uyoku Dantai).
And here I am proclaiming my love of the Emperor. Yankee go home! Oh wait, I already am.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/10/17 17:50:37
Six mistakes mankind keeps making century after century: Believing that personal gain is made by crushing others; Worrying about things that cannot be changed or corrected; Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it; Refusing to set aside trivial preferences; Neglecting development and refinement of the mind; Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do
2011/10/17 17:52:17
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
corpsesarefun wrote:It was part of spanish class, so what?
What does Spanish have to do with reciting the Mexican national anthem? If you were going to recite any non-US/Texas anthem, it'd be...er Spain.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2011/10/17 17:59:04
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
corpsesarefun wrote:It was part of spanish class, so what?
What does Spanish have to do with reciting the Mexican national anthem? If you were going to recite any non-US/Texas anthem, it'd be...er Spain.
Well, the Mexican National Anthem, is in, you know, Spanish. So it's a great learning tool to study Mexican history and the language of the closest Spanish speaking country.
I can say the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish, and I dont see a mob coming after my teacher.
Every Normal Man Must Be Tempted At Times To Spit On His Hands, Hoist That Black Flag, And Begin Slitting Throats.
2011/10/17 18:01:12
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
I don't really see the problem here, you're simply asking kids - who are learning to speak Spanish - to read and memorize a Spanish language text. Maybe there's something on the pledge of allegiance, but I think it's pretty clear that this was given as a 'recitation' exercise, not trying to get kids to actually pledge allegiance to Mexico.
She should have offered to do an essay on the Texas revolution instead. It's much more interesting than the Mexican revolution.
text removed by Moderation team.
2011/10/17 18:01:55
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
corpsesarefun wrote:It was part of spanish class, so what?
What does Spanish have to do with reciting the Mexican national anthem? If you were going to recite any non-US/Texas anthem, it'd be...er Spain.
Well, the Mexican National Anthem, is in, you know, Spanish. So it's a great learning tool to study Mexican history and the language of the closest Spanish speaking country.
I can say the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish, and I dont see a mob coming after my teacher.
So is Nicaragua, Spain, ElSalvador, Argentina, Paraguay, etc. ertc. whats your ing point?
The Aussie anthem is in English, yet I never recited the Aussie anthem in English class.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2011/10/17 18:06:41
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
corpsesarefun wrote:It was part of spanish class, so what?
What does Spanish have to do with reciting the Mexican national anthem? If you were going to recite any non-US/Texas anthem, it'd be...er Spain.
Well, the Mexican National Anthem, is in, you know, Spanish. So it's a great learning tool to study Mexican history and the language of the closest Spanish speaking country.
I can say the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish, and I dont see a mob coming after my teacher.
So is Nicaragua, Spain, ElSalvador, Argentina, Paraguay, etc. ertc. whats your ing point?
The Aussie anthem is in English, yet I never recited the Aussie anthem in English class.
Like I said, it's the closest Spanish speaking country, 10 miles from the school.
And as for the Aussie Anthem, it has no practical purpose. It's in English, so the memorization would be useless. Unless you are in Australia.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/10/17 18:07:35
Every Normal Man Must Be Tempted At Times To Spit On His Hands, Hoist That Black Flag, And Begin Slitting Throats.
2011/10/17 18:11:51
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
corpsesarefun wrote:It was part of spanish class, so what?
This.
It's a simple series of statements in easy to read, unvarying Spanish. It's an excellent tool.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/10/17 18:12:48
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
2011/10/17 18:15:43
Subject: Re:TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Can't even fake outrage at this, I have no problem listening to ira songs and the like, I wouldn't mind having the goal of learning a national anthem as part of a foreign language course although the pledge would better serve in politics or history course.
Wonder if anyone would mind a class singing engeland lied (i like it)
"The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents."
~The Call of Cthulhu
2011/10/17 18:20:46
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
I don't see anything wrong with this. Famous or often used phrases are used to teach foreign languages all the time and mexico is the closest spanish speaking country. This is only questionable if you're a hyperconservative demagogue or one of their sheep.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2011/10/17 18:22:25
----------------
Do you remember that time that thing happened?
This is a bad thread and you should all feel bad
2011/10/17 18:23:15
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ShumaGorath wrote:CAPS LOCK MAKES THIS THREAD MORE IMPORTANT
I don't see anything wrong with this. Famous or often used phrases are used to teach foreign languages all the time and mexico is the closest spanish speaking country. This is only questionable if you're a hyperconservative demagogue or one of their sheep.
Or if you take pledges seriously.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2011/10/17 18:29:24
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ShumaGorath wrote:CAPS LOCK MAKES THIS THREAD MORE IMPORTANT
I don't see anything wrong with this. Famous or often used phrases are used to teach foreign languages all the time and mexico is the closest spanish speaking country. This is only questionable if you're a hyperconservative demagogue or one of their sheep.
Or if you take pledges seriously.
Sing after me children!
"I pledge my allegience to all things dark. And i promise on my damned soul to do as i am told, for Beelzebub has never seen a soldier quite like me; not only does his job but does it happily!"
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2011/10/17 18:30:38
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
2011/10/17 18:30:47
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ShumaGorath wrote:CAPS LOCK MAKES THIS THREAD MORE IMPORTANT
I don't see anything wrong with this. Famous or often used phrases are used to teach foreign languages all the time and mexico is the closest spanish speaking country. This is only questionable if you're a hyperconservative demagogue or one of their sheep.
Or if you take pledges seriously.
Sing after me children!
"I pledge my allegience to all things dark. And i promise on my damned soul to do as i am told, for beelzebub has never seen a soldier quite like me; not only does his job but does it happily!"
Dude, they're in McAllen. They're already IN hell.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2011/10/17 18:31:34
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ShumaGorath wrote:CAPS LOCK MAKES THIS THREAD MORE IMPORTANT
Truth be told I just copy/pasted the headline to the subject box. Was being too lazy to re-type. Thanks for the condescension though. Never get enough of it from you Shuma.
Mannahnin wrote:A lot of folks online (and in emails in other parts of life) use pretty mangled English. The idea is that it takes extra effort and time to write properly, and they’d rather save the time. If you can still be understood, what’s the harm? While most of the time a sloppy post CAN be understood, the use of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling is generally seen as respectable and desirable on most forums. It demonstrates an effort made to be understood, and to make your post an easy and pleasant read. By making this effort, you can often elicit more positive responses from the community, and instantly mark yourself as someone worth talking to.
insaniak wrote: Every time someone threatens violence over the internet as a result of someone's hypothetical actions at the gaming table, the earth shakes infinitisemally in its orbit as millions of eyeballs behind millions of monitors all roll simultaneously.
2011/10/17 18:32:44
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
2011/10/17 18:35:31
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Frazzled wrote:
Dude, they're in McAllen. They're already IN hell.
Then you've never been to Brownsville. I still shiver, more than 15 years after my one-day stop in the hellhole.
Six mistakes mankind keeps making century after century: Believing that personal gain is made by crushing others; Worrying about things that cannot be changed or corrected; Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it; Refusing to set aside trivial preferences; Neglecting development and refinement of the mind; Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do
2011/10/17 18:37:25
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ShumaGorath wrote:CAPS LOCK MAKES THIS THREAD MORE IMPORTANT
Truth be told I just copy/pasted the headline to the subject box. Was being too lazy to re-type. Thanks for the condescension though. Never get enough of it from you Shuma.
Foeyay?
"The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents."
~The Call of Cthulhu
2011/10/17 18:38:34
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
What's the big deal?
It's not like they're expecting them to take the pledge seriously. (Does anyone?)
Dakka Bingo! By Ouze "You are the best at flying things"-Kanluwen
"Further proof that Purple is a fething brilliant super villain " -KingCracker
"Purp.. Im pretty sure I have a gun than can reach you...."-Nicorex
"That's not really an apocalypse. That's just Europe."-Grakmar
"almost as good as winning free cake at the tea drinking contest for an Englishman." -Reds8n
Seal up your lips and give no words but mum.
Equip, Reload. Do violence.
Watch for Gerry.
2011/10/17 18:41:23
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Frazzled wrote:
Dude, they're in McAllen. They're already IN hell.
Then you've never been to Brownsville. I still shiver, more than 15 years after my one-day stop in the hellhole.
I believe you're laboring under the presumption that hell is a specific physical location......
Mannahnin wrote:A lot of folks online (and in emails in other parts of life) use pretty mangled English. The idea is that it takes extra effort and time to write properly, and they’d rather save the time. If you can still be understood, what’s the harm? While most of the time a sloppy post CAN be understood, the use of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling is generally seen as respectable and desirable on most forums. It demonstrates an effort made to be understood, and to make your post an easy and pleasant read. By making this effort, you can often elicit more positive responses from the community, and instantly mark yourself as someone worth talking to.
insaniak wrote: Every time someone threatens violence over the internet as a result of someone's hypothetical actions at the gaming table, the earth shakes infinitisemally in its orbit as millions of eyeballs behind millions of monitors all roll simultaneously.
2011/10/17 18:44:26
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Frazzled wrote:
Dude, they're in McAllen. They're already IN hell.
Then you've never been to Brownsville. I still shiver, more than 15 years after my one-day stop in the hellhole.
Oh I have. I HAVE!!!
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2011/10/17 18:48:46
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Frazzled wrote:
Dude, they're in McAllen. They're already IN hell.
Then you've never been to Brownsville. I still shiver, more than 15 years after my one-day stop in the hellhole.
I believe you're laboring under the presumption that hell is a specific physical location......
It isn't?
As much as green is a specific wavelength of light.
Mannahnin wrote:A lot of folks online (and in emails in other parts of life) use pretty mangled English. The idea is that it takes extra effort and time to write properly, and they’d rather save the time. If you can still be understood, what’s the harm? While most of the time a sloppy post CAN be understood, the use of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling is generally seen as respectable and desirable on most forums. It demonstrates an effort made to be understood, and to make your post an easy and pleasant read. By making this effort, you can often elicit more positive responses from the community, and instantly mark yourself as someone worth talking to.
insaniak wrote: Every time someone threatens violence over the internet as a result of someone's hypothetical actions at the gaming table, the earth shakes infinitisemally in its orbit as millions of eyeballs behind millions of monitors all roll simultaneously.
2011/10/17 18:50:23
Subject: Re:TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ShumaGorath wrote:CAPS LOCK MAKES THIS THREAD MORE IMPORTANT
Truth be told I just copy/pasted the headline to the subject box. Was being too lazy to re-type. Thanks for the condescension though. Never get enough of it from you Shuma.
Don't worry about it. The exact same thing created the CRASSUS ARMOURED ASSAULT TRANSPORT.
Dakka Bingo! By Ouze "You are the best at flying things"-Kanluwen
"Further proof that Purple is a fething brilliant super villain " -KingCracker
"Purp.. Im pretty sure I have a gun than can reach you...."-Nicorex
"That's not really an apocalypse. That's just Europe."-Grakmar
"almost as good as winning free cake at the tea drinking contest for an Englishman." -Reds8n
Seal up your lips and give no words but mum.
Equip, Reload. Do violence.
Watch for Gerry.
2011/10/17 19:13:42
Subject: TX HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MADE TO RECITE MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
I honestly have no idea what the problem is here. In a Spanish class they learnt something about the closest Spanish speaking country to them, but because it was Mexico and it was a pledge it suddenly becomes news. Seriously, does anyone take pledges seriously? Speaking of which, does the UK have a pledge? Was the UK's national anthem God Save the Queen or Rule Britannia? Does not knowing this make me a flag-burning terrorist?
Coolyo294 wrote: You are a strange, strange little manchicken.
ing point?
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