Teacher Bashing

I am an involved parent in San Diego Unified School District who believes the words of Jacqueline Jackson were taken totally out of context (“ ‘Teacher Bashing’ Rhetoric Begets Hatred and Violence,” Editorial, Feb. 4). The words of Ms. Jackson have been construed by the media to mean the physical harassment and/or bashing of teachers. This is absurd when the term “teacher bashing” was originally coined by teachers of the San Diego Teachers Assn. who were tired of being blamed for student underachievement.

When Oprah Winfrey used the term “male bashing” last year, it was not construed to mean the physical bashing of men. When the San Diego Tribune released an article on “media bashing,” about a class held by a UC professor in the latter part of January, it was not twisted to mean the advocating of the physical bashing of media by the professor. Why then, has teacher bashing been construed to mean the advocating of physical harm to teachers and/or administrators when used by Ms. Jackson, director of education of the Urban League?

I submit that there was nothing wrong with the statement given by Ms. Jackson, and what really offended some, particularly the media, was the defiance, the aggressive tone with which it was said.

Let us see the forest in spite of the trees. The San Diego Unified School District has gone on record as having failed our children. Their Sept. 28 report states that 26.8% of all students left school prior to graduation. Of that 26.8%, Hispanic students dropped out at a rate of 40% and African-American students at a rate of 31%.

This year, parents must hold teachers and administrators accountable for the academic success or failure of our children. Parents must not tolerate the mis-education or undereducation of children, as we are their first educators.

Quality education is the key to success in the 21st Century. I praise Ms. Jackson’s forthrightness in standing up for her beliefs and high expectations for our children and defying the odds to bring this dire matter to the community’s attention.

Teacher bashing is not about blame; teacher bashing is accountability. Let 1990 be the year for teacher bashing.

GWANA J. AJIBOLA

San Diego