Public Schools Praying for Trayvon

[Jennifer Groves]

 

I have relatives living in Flagler County, FL, and the Sanford area. This article was in their paper the other day:

“ . . . a few hundred students at Flagler Palm Coast High School walked out of class and gathered in the school's courtyard Friday morning to pay their respects and pray for Martin.

The student-led gathering lasted about 30 to 40 minutes, said Janet Valentine, superintendent of Flagler County schools. She said school staff told her the students were "extremely respectful and cooperative."

Though students organized the gathering independent of staff, school administrators told teachers not to discipline students for missing class.”

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/flagler/2012/03/24/oba...

 

One of my relatives’ friends contacted a Flagler County school board member (I’ve deleted names and addresses, since this was originally private correspondence). Here is their original mssg to the SBM:

 

“Students should be taught that our nation is one of law and courts decide guilt or innocence.

The unconscionable use of this incident for partisan political gain by the president and his supporters should not be condoned and glorified by our school administration.

Oh and by the way, when did the school board okay prayer on school grounds?”

The board member’s response:

“How was this incident used for partisan political gain? I believe that's an unfair assesment. This was done by students throughout the country. They feel what happened was unjust. Politics were not involved and I'm proud of the way our administration handled the situation.  It could have been handled in a much more negative way.

Respectfully,

xxxx”

The concerned citizen’s response:

“If you believe your reply below to be true, you haven't learned the facts of the incident and you are either unbelievably naive or rabidly partisan if you think this isn't a coordinated effort by the president's supporters to deflect attention away from the present disastrous conditions in our country and around the world and foment class and race warfare.

You haven't answered the question about prayer on school grounds.    Has the position of the board changed and are students permitted to pray in school now?”

Board member’s response:

“I guess I'm unbelievably naive. I've seen and heard politicians and individuals on both sides of the aisle comment about this tragedy. I honestly don't see the partisan politics in it. I'm being 100% honest with you. I just think the students have been reacting to something they feel was unjustly done to someone very close in age to them. No big conspiracy. If there is I just didn't catch that. Again, a number of high profile Republicans have called for the "stand you ground" law to be reviewed and possibly repealed. Again, not trying to be a wise guy just didn't see it as partisan. In regards to your question. The Board hasn't changed anything in policy in regards to school prayer but there was a recent law just signed by Governor Scott that allows students to do just what they did. Our policy will no doubt need to be changed to agree with the new mandate. All the best -

Educationally yours,

XXXX

Flagler County School Board Member, District 2”

Two days later, the SBM sent the citizen another email:

“I owe you an apology. After watching the news and listening to talk radio I would have to agree with your assessment of the situation. My only hope is that the purpose of the student event was pure in its purpose and not driven by what is now becoming a partisan political spectacle.

Just wanted to let you know that I unfortunately DO believe you may be right. 

Thanks again for your email.”

 

Some observations:

 

1) the school board member stated that these “vigils” are taking place at public schools around the country. Scary.

2) teachers were required to allow students to leave class to pray for Trayvon, even though Christian prayer is not permitted in public schools. (Which raises the question, to whom are they really praying?)

3) the vigil was planned by students, which means they are clearly and firmly on the side of the liberal media bias. It’s all they see.

4) how many public schools have already served as judge, jury, and executioner of Zimmerman? How many have held Trayvon rallies/prayer meetings? How many are sympathetic to terrorist groups like the Black Panthers? Students have no concept of the separation of powers in the Constitution.

5) on a spiritual note, the time to pray for Trayvon has passed. The time for those involved in this . . . mass of confusion and lies has not.

6) apparently, there are still a lot of individuals around who watch only nbc and somehow STILL cannot see the socialist agenda for what it is. Unbelievable, but true. Some of these individuals are in influential positions (school boards, village councils, etc)—and a few may still be able to discern truth when presented with it. Will that make a difference in the whole? I don’t know, but it does mean we still  have a lot of real educating to do.

7) it’s worth contacting local and state officials when we see something amiss. They could, possibly, still just be naïve—getting harder to believe that, I know, but some ppl just can’t see the forest for the trees.