Abuse of authority and endorsement of religion at California public school
I’m calling on my fellow secularists, atheists, and, indeed, all those who care about the U.S. Constitution and how non-Christians are treated in the United States.
The principal at Emperor Elementary school in Temple City, California, USA — Kathy Perini — is fiercely Christian. In the teachers’ areas of the school, she has religious messages spread throughout. But that’s not what I’m complaining about. Those target adults.
At the “Breakfast With Santa” today, I got a complete blow-off when I brought up my concerns about the music being played (loudly) in the area where those attending were to eat. It wqas all seriously hard-core Christian carols and songs — indeed, not a secular song to be heard, until, by accident, “Let It Snow” came on the mix as I was leaving in protest.
“Complete blow-off” is not strong enough, though. When she said that she had it put together specially, and I asked “You do understand my point, though, right?”, her “Yes” was accompanied by a wicked smile. The smile of someone abusing authority. The smile of a bigot. The smile that says “I have power, you have none.”
She is wrong, and not only morally. She is wrong that we, as citizens, as secularists, have no power.
We have power.
I’m organizing a letter-writing campaign. Please consider writing a paper-and-envelope letter to the Temple City Unified School District, expressing whatever concerns you have about this incident. Please feel free to post here asking for more information. And, if and when you send a letter, please note so here. I think we can easily get 100.
Here is what I have sent to local newspapers:
At the “Breakfast With Santa” event held at Emperor Elementary School (Temple City, California) on December 5th, 2009, strongly (and exclusively) Christian carols and hymns were played loudly in the auditorium where attendees were to eat the breakfast they purchased at the event. I approached Principal Kathy Perini and expressed my discomfort at the music choices. She explained they were put together for the event to “Make it nice for the holidays”. While she understood my secular concerns, she expressed an intention to continue playing them.
This is illegal, inappropriate, and an abuse of her office. Temple City Schools must abide by California standards and the US Constitution. Students from families of other faiths — and those of no faith — deserve to be educated in as respectful and inclusive an environment as the children of Christians. Citizens’ tax dollars must not sponsor partisan religious behavior by school administrators. A formal written apology by Mrs. Perini, distributed to every student at the school, and a commitment to abandon such behavior in the future, is the only appropriate course of action.
I have sent similar letters to our California State Assemblyperson and Senator; Governor Schwarzenegger; the California Board of Education; the Freedom From Religion Foundation; the ACLU; the Center For Inquiry: West; and American Atheists. If you have a blog, Twitter account, or social networking account, please consider propagating this.
We can make a change.
We have power.
Here is contact info.
Temple City School Board
c/o Temple City Unified School District
9700 Las Tunas Drive
Temple City, CA 91780
Phone: (626) 548-5000
Fax: (626) 548-5022
Subscribe by email
December 5th, 2009 at 17h37
Dude,
I know you feel strongly about this….very strongly. I get that….
But don’t you think you’re over-reacting just a little? The governor?
And, do you really think it prudent to attack…and organize an attack….on your mother’s boss?
It was a Christmas celebration! Most of the adults would not have registered the words that were playing…and, I venture to guess, none of the children.
When you were offended you did the right thing to leave. Even to tell her you were offended.
But I think this is a little over the top….
December 5th, 2009 at 18h10
Nope. If it were anything other than Christianity being promoted, would you call it “an attack”, or would you call it “holding school administrators to account”?
Christmas hymns have no more business at a public school than minarets and prayer mats, yarmulkes and wailing walls, and if an American does not recognize this, he or she is part of the problem. What would be the right response if Muslim, and only Muslim, songs were played at a school-organized event?
Yes, it sucks that this woman is my mother’s boss. But I am a man of principle, and I will not tolerate my tax dollars paying for this shit.
Do you know what? Adults should register the lyrics. They sure as hell would if they were anything other than Christian. If they don’t — again, part of the problem.
December 5th, 2009 at 18h16
It was a Christmas celebration!
Oh, and you realize this is also illegal, right? I would give leeway if it were a “holiday” celebration, or even if it were kept as a cultural, ceremonial Christmas. But this was beyond the pale.
December 5th, 2009 at 18h22
In response to Dad,
I must disagree. First, there is nothing here that indicates an “attack.” It is a strongly worded complaint – nothing more.
Tolerance is essential; however, it goes both ways. For centuries we atheists, humanists, and other free-thinkers have been abused. From actual murder all the way down to States that will not allow us to hold public office even now.
This was a “holiday” celebration that should reflect and respect the beliefs of the attendees (both rational and unfortunately even the delusional). If it was titled “christmas with jesus” then it would be clearly and exclusively for the xtians. Even though Santa is essentially a xtian creation he has been diluted to the point where the character represents giving vs dogma.
I agree that adults who have chosen to not believe in superstition and mythology would probably not be effected by song lyrics. Children are another thing. When they are presented with information by trusted adults it sticks and is assumed true. There is psychological value to repetition of the mumbo jumbo however subtle and that is the very reason this woman chose to do what she did. She should be held accountable. She is the one who chose the battle. It is generally with a patronizing smile (accurately described above) that we are told that the belief in an invisible deity trumps any other deity or even a more rational belief structure. Atheists are expected to quietly just accept and keep our mouths shut and we have for too long.
Prudent? Yes. Necessary? Yes.
I say, bravo!
December 6th, 2009 at 21h03
Firstly, welcome to followers of @monicks and @yurieal. You are most welcome.
all the way down to States that will not allow us to hold public office even now
… and there are seven: Arkansas, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania (!), South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Will these laws be enforced? Well, probably not. So, “silly laws”, right? Like it being illegal to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole (that one’s sometimes attributed to Atlanta, GA)? Ha ha ha. Now: what would be the response if it said “Blacks”, “Jews”, or “women”?
that is the very reason this woman chose to do what she did
For the record: given her record, I also believe that proselytizing is precisely why she did this, and why she will continue to do this without intervention.
Basically: no matter what Bill O’Reilly and Ann Coulter tell you, this is a secular nation founded by secularists on secular principles, and I want my fucking country back.
But if you still feel the need to flame — a link to this post is being RTed on Twitter, so this post is likely to draw crazies — maybe run a spell check first? Given my sampling of anti-atheist Twitter activity … can I attach “please” to that? There’s no need to look stupid and crazy, right? kthx.
December 7th, 2009 at 12h45
Reply to JBP….
To organize a letter writing campaign against your mother’s boss IS an ATTACK not a strongly worded complaint. If Josh wanted to do that he could have just written a letter himself. It also shows a great deal of disrespect and lack of concern for the position into which it places his mother. (By the way: we’re divorced.)
December 7th, 2009 at 12h53
To organize a letter writing campaign against your mother’s boss IS an ATTACK not a strongly worded complaint.
The intention was, and is, to show that I am not a lone voice in the wilderness. I don’t find it at all inappropriate. Please consider if you have ever courted like-minded people to address an issue that concerns you.
It also shows a great deal of disrespect and lack of concern for the position into which it places his mother
This is an appropriate topic for my mother to address.
December 7th, 2009 at 12h59
Nice to know even atheists can have righteous anger. It is a good excuse for inconsiderate actions….
December 7th, 2009 at 13h12
Nice to know even atheists can have righteous anger.
And this is surprising … how? Atheists don’t believe in gods, therefore they can’t consider themselves to be in the right, or to be angered by injustice?
It is a good excuse for inconsiderate actions…
Oh, hello. Do you really want to do this publicly? Church stationery? Pulpit?! We can if you’d like.
Also, I’m looking forward to your driving ten miles out of your way to jump my dead battery. Was it a “Zits” comic: I-hate-you-but-can-I-have-$20-to-go-to-the-mall?
Funny, but that’s not what this is — you know that, right?
December 13th, 2009 at 15h00
My letter’s going out tomorrow.
December 13th, 2009 at 21h13
What a fine, ethical gentleman. Thank you, Jordon.
Please address to “Temple City School Board”, care of the address above:
December 14th, 2009 at 14h14
Gah I misspelled a word in my letter of complaint: “principal” instead of “principle” (in the “axiom” sense.) Fuck.
December 14th, 2009 at 16h01
Updates
» The California State Superintendent of Public Instruction has responded to me, expressing his concern:
» The attorneys of the Freedom From Religion Foundation will be writing a formal letter of complaint. Mega-w00ts to them.
» I sent my letter of complaint with a formal request for a written response by 15 January 2010.
Readers’ assistance in this matter is still cordially requested. The permanent link to this page is http://mcgees.org/2009/12/05/kathy-perini/: please redistribute.
Thanks, everyone!