A Mormon for President

Mitt Romney, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the 70th governor of Massachusetts, is running for the Republican nomination for President for the 2008 election. In a country formed in-part by a Constitution which professes to hold no candidate's religion as the deciding factor in determining if that candidate is allowed to run, Governor Romney's religion is being put up for debate as much as his policies. For example, Jacob Weisberg, the editor of Slate Magazine, is being quoted as saying, "[Mormon founder Joseph Smith] was an obvious con man. Romney has every right to believe in con men, but I want to know if he does, and if so, I don't want him running the country." Students should not accept Governor Romney's religion as the "automatic disqualifier" that, to some, it has made him.

For information on the subject, consider Time Magazine's articles on Governor Romney and the opinions surrounding his running for President:
Romney's Mormon Question
A Mormon for President?

Also, for reference on Governor Romney's policies and background, consider visiting his Election 2008 homepage.

Flying while Muslim

The racial profiling of airline passengers has become evident to many people. As Baba Ali's describes, this is not unlike racial profiling called "Driving while Black." Not only does this type of stereotyping not only demonstrates fear and ignorance of the stereotyper, but also generates resentment and alienation in the individual being stereotyped. Of course it is important for security guards and police officers to protect us, but a blanket targeting of "brown" people is not the answer.

This poignant video blog describes a situation aptly called "Flying while Muslim." Baba Ali presents his feelings with emotion, humor and understanding. Check out this video post, and his video blog about being Muslim in today's world.



Below is short but powerful video describing an example of racial profiling and "Flying while Muslim."

The NIE on Iran and the Media's Response

The recent developments concerning the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran and President Bush’s response have caused quite a stir in the media and in Washington. The NIE is a composed by the many intelligence agencies of the United States government. Its purpose is to inform the president and the executive branch about a nation, situation, or event. Our government has been very critical of the Iranian government and the possibility of Iran possessing Nuclear weapons is undesirable. Although it is no explicitly evident that our government’s view of Iran is due to ethnocentric tendencies and religious fear, it is evident that President Bush and his cabinet are fearful of Iran possessing a weapon of mass destruction. If the NIE now states that Iran is not attempting and/or capable of enriching nuclear material in order to make a weapon, then should not the threat from Iran be diminished? These are tough questions, and questions we leave for our elected officials to decide. It is however the duty and work of our media to inform and present these ideas to the American public. It seems that two cultures exist in the media today; one can be described as the Liberal Left and the other can be described as the Conservative Right. As an educator I believe it is important to present both sides of the media, and to also examine the recent developments in a critical light. Is the tension between the United States and Iran due to purely strategic concerns or is there fear and hate driving both nations towards confrontation?

Keith Olbermann was once a sports anchor on ESPN’s Sports Center. Now he hosts MSNBC’s Countdown. Olbermann’s response to the NIE and President Bush is emotionally charged but representative of a view held by many Americans.


Bill O’Reilly hosts the O’Reilly Factor on Fox News. He has often been a staunch defender of President Bush and his polices. The following is an interview with O’Reilly and UN Ambassador Bolton discussing the NIE and the political ramifications.

Perceptions of Muslims in Australia

In the pursuit of full disclosure and understanding, it should be recognized that Americans are not the only citizens of this supposedly-global society that harbor resentment and fear.

Jena 6

The following sites supply a lot of useful information about the case of the Jena 6 in Louisiana.

Democracy Now!, a self-proclaimed "independent" member of the media, has a useful and poignant article on the case. The article has a summary of the situation, interviews with local townspeople, and, most importantly, interviews with a number of the accused.

Again, consider visiting Tolerance.org's page on teaching about the Jena 6. In particular, consider using the first link on Revealing Racist Roots. The authors attempt to anchor a discussion of the Jena 6 into the historical context of racism in America. Supplying the historical context is crucial if students are to understand the reasons why racism exists and still permeates this society.

For visual learners, consider the following short but poignant summary from NBC News.



Lastly, CNN has excellent and in-depth coverage of the decisions and deals being made regarding the charges that were filed.

Two views on Katrina...

These two videos are prime examples of how the American people reacted to the government's handling of Hurricane Katrina.  These are rather poignant examples because it shows how two men with rather different views can express very similar positions.  Jack Cafferty is a news pundit who has described himself as a conservative and a Republican.  Kanye West is outspoken music superstar who tends to express liberal views and anti-Bush sentiments.  In the classroom, these videos can be used to spur debate about our government, the media, and our disaster preparedness.

CNN's Jack Cafferty's angry responce to the government's handling of Hurricane Katrina.

The now infamous video of Kanye West's outrage over Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina resources...

These sites provide in-depth inquiry into Hurricane Katrina and its impact on the United States.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has created a website called Tolerance.Org.  This link directs you to a great article by Jeff Sapp.  Sapp has reviewed three web resources on Hurricane Katrina.  Sapp has devoted time and effort to critically examine these sites for content, and relevance.  Take the time to explore Tolerance.Org after reading Sapp's article, there is much more that can be used in your classroom.  TEACHING KATRINA

Matt Welch takes a look at how the media has shaped our perceptions of Hurricane Katrina. His provocative article, The Bigotry of Low Expectations, is a great way to teach about the media as well as providing informations related to one of America's worst natural disasters.

Teachingforchange.org is a great resource for any social studies classroom.  This link provides you with lesson plans, resources and other organizations.  The highlight of this link is the audio interview with Enid Lee.  If you are struggling with how or why you should teach your students about Hurricane Katrina, then this is a must visit.  Teaching about Katrina

Two great resources for teaching about 9/11...

These sites include lesson plans that teach and inform students about 9/11 related topics...

PBS-sponsored site of lesson plans that include topics such as Afghanistan, terrorism, disaster planning, human rights, etc...  PBS: America Responds

Social Studies School Services includes lesson plans, guides, resources and other valuable tools for teaching about terrorism, the Middle East, and Arab Americans... 

Welcome to our blog (Mission Statement)

This blog is an attempt to help educators tackle current events in their classrooms.  The students of our America are the future of our society.  American society is not middle-class white males.  American society is made up of numerous religions, ethnicities, races, and two genders.  A multicultural society demands that we present concepts in ways that all students can relate to and embrace.  Each student may have differing backgrounds and therefore have differing experiences, conceptions, and values.  Current events is a way to present and bridge these differences in a meaningful way.  Although our students may be different, they are all living and experiencing an ever changing and dynamic world.  Teaching our students to examine this world will help them become aware and conscientious citizens.  We are not trying to promote opinions or world views, but rather prepare multicultural student society to navigate and understand this nation and our world in their own way.

As educators, we have a duty to present material that is relevant and worthy of our and students' attention.  Topics in current events are a great way to present themes and ideas to students because it often demonstrates how the present can enlighten the past and illuminate our future.  The resistance to traditional means of education can be overcome through using resources that transcend the textbook and the worksheet.  Current events are the "here and now" so it is only fitting that we use "here and now" technology and resources to present materials that are interesting and important to students.  In our blog, you will find videos, websites, other blogs, articles and other resources that can help you, the educator, bring current events into the classroom in exciting and important ways.  Although our attention is focused on 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, the ways in which these topics are presented can be replicated to include other topics (War in Iraq, AIDs, 2008 Elections, local concerns).  Use these resources to enhance learning in your classroom because our diverse students need diversity in teaching methods, materials, and lessons.