Charlottesville Official Wants Picture of Obama In Every City School

By Brandon Shulleeta
Media General News Service
Published: August 7, 2009

A member of the Charlottesville School Board is proposing that a framed picture of President Barack Obama be placed in all of the city’s public schools, as well as the division’s central office.

None of Juandiego Wade’s colleagues was quick to jump on board with his proposal at Thursday’s meeting, nor did any members dismiss it.

Wade insisted that if the proposal were approved, he’d raise the money for the pictures and frames - which he believes can be obtained for free or very little money - through a private fundraising campaign.

“It would be no cost to the school system,“ Wade said after the meeting, noting that Obama is an inspirational figure to students and faculty.

Board Chairman Ned Michie echoed the notion that, “there’s no question that he’s an inspiring [person],“ adding, however, that if a picture were hung of Obama, the same honor would have to be given to future presidents.

School Board member Colette Blount shared the sentiment.

“I think it sets a precedent,“ Blount said.

The board agreed to further discuss the proposal at a later date.

The following is excerpted from an interview with Wade following Thursday’s meeting regarding his Obama proposal:

Q. How did you come up with this idea?

A. “It’s just something I’ve been thinking about for a while ... I just think it’s going to be very inspiring for the students, visitors and teachers. And I know that there’s a lot of people in this community that we could put up there, but I just think that President Obama is the most recognizable.“

Q. Does this show favoritism toward Obama over other presidents?

A. “Well, he’s the only one right now, and [his election is historical]. So, yes, I think it is different, and if we go with this it sounds like it may be where we have to use all presidents. We make policy every day. A School Board 20 years from now may decide that we don’t want to do this anymore.“

Q. [Are some folks] going to say, “Well, why wasn’t this honor given to President Bush?“

A. “Again, I said that the election of President Obama was historical. He was the first African American. His upbringing is inspiring, and so it is different from past Democrat and Republican presidents. I know that some people will say that it’s partisan or whatever, but it’s what I want to propose and we’ll just have to see what the other board members have to say about it.“

Q. If you’re still a School Board member in 2012 and a Republican gets elected to office would you then say ... “Let’s put up a picture of that president?“

A. If we are going with the policy that some board members have mentioned today, than we will, but I can’t make a statement on that, because I have no idea who’s going to be president at that point. But I think the American people are pretty good at selecting who they want to lead the country, whether that’s Republican or Democrat or independent.“

While I think it is a very good idea for children to learn the about the presidency, I think it is short of brainwashing these kids to glorify any political figure.

As Mr. Wade states, " his election is historical." Why? Thus far, what has Barrack Obama done that makes his election historical?

What do you think about this? Is it a good idea to place a picture of President Obama in every school in Charlottesville, Virginia? Why? or why not?

I'll reserve my comments for later.

Please remember to be respectful of others according to the new guidelines.


link[www2.godanriver.com...]

Thank you for your time,

Paxnatus

A. “Again, I said that the election of President Obama was historical. He was the first African American.

Ahem, first European-African and finally american.

Being the first "half' Black president means nothing, it's not historic in any way.

Being the best president is historic.

He's black and he's president, YAY look what we accomplished, absolutely nothing, taxes are up and my hopes are down... but hey, let's glorify him in every school.

So much wrong with this I don't know where to begin.

And for the PC, come and rip my post apart.

Uhhh, this is a little creepy.

Why should the presidents mug be placed in every school in Charlottesville? I don't understand his reasoning of because this presidency is "historic". I would say that it has a historic element to it, just based off of skin color, but what else has he done?

My main gripe with this is that public school children should not be exposed to politics in the schools. Liberals, Conservatives, Independents, fascists, communist, socialist, etc, they all pay taxes so I feel that it is only right that that schools are not subjected to any one political slant, regardless of who the president is.

And what would be next? Giant posters of Obama plastered around public places like in COMMUNIST countries? It STINKS to me.
I've told many of my friends before the election was final that if he was to win there would soon be some idiot proposing this very thing. The United States is heading toward a communistic ideology and I don't like it. There are just too many people that have no concept of what the world was like when the Soviet Union existed. They now call it Russia and think it's a democracy because communism was abolished. Well I think Russia/USSR is still a threat to the American way of life. Like they said in the 60's "We will destroy you from the INSIDE" Seems like they are succeding.

And what is an African-American? Why aren't people from Europe or of European ancestry called Euro-Americans? Or Asian-Americans, Or South American-Americans, Or Australian-Americans? Why do they have to be called anything but AMERICANS? I was born in Germany and immigrated at the age of seven. Been here 53 years. I AM AN AMERICAN Dammit!!!!
And regardless of where you came from if you now live in the United States of America you are an AMERICAN. Period.





[edit on 12-8-2009 by Muundoggie]

reply to post by Muundoggie


Probably, I for one wouldn't put it past them.

It's a brilliant tactic.

Isn't every president historical? I mean we have only had 44. Therefore agreed, why should race even be considered in determining who is a historical figure? It shouldn't if anything it teaches that an individual based on their race should be placed on a pedestal and esteemed better than another, which is racism.

I also think it extrememly dangerous to name a school, a building or a battleship after any current or living president. Why? Because we are telling and teaching our kids what to think about the leaders of our country and not allowing them to think for themselves.

I asked both of my children what they would think about attending Barrack Obama Middle School. My son became adamant that this was a trick of some kind and said he would not be going to school in the fall if that was the case. " I will not go to a dictator's school". My daughter said she wouldn't attend some school named after a socialist crazy person". I'm sure many kids feel the same way So you see, nothing about race deterring them. Simply on the way the country is being led. What if they had to wear school uniforms with the name logo or picture? Can you imagine the fighting that would ensue?

If we allow this kind of mandated prestige, where do we draw the line?