When fourth-grade teacher Coco Duhamel decided to substitute a pledge to the United Nations for the increasingly controversial Pledge of Allegiance, she never imagined that her homage to unity would prove so divisive. Now the parents of one boy say that unless Duhamel stops the daily praise to the UN, they'll pull their son out of class—and teach him about the 'Oil-for-Food-Scandal' at home.
Parents criticize use of code words: diversity, tolerance, equality and respect
By Cole Walters, education correspondent
SAN FRANCISCO--Last spring, Coco Duhamel, a fourth-grade teacher at San Francisco's Adlai Stevenson Elementary School, had what seemed like a great idea. Instead of making her 23 students stand each morning, hands on hearts, to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, she would lead them through the following less controversial salute—to the United Nations:
"I pledge allegiance to the UN,
and all of its member nations,
and to the diversity and tolerance for which they stand.
Many nations, under Kofi Annan, all united,
with equality, dignity and respect for all."
From 'flag-centered' to 'friend-centered'
Ms. Duhamel explains that her decision to switch salutes was prompted by several students who complained in their journals that the existing Pledge of Allegiance was overly militaristic and 'flag-centered.' One student complained of having to stand each morning, while still another wrote that the Pledge's overt religiosity made him uncomfortable.
Goodbye to the 'G-word'
For the new improved pledge, the students remain in their seats. And instead of saluting the American flag, they direct their words to a poster-sized picture of Kofi Annan addressing the General Assembly of the United Nations. "We're trying to move away from the 'G-word' if you know what I mean," says the perky 34-year-old redhead. "This gives us an opportunity to emphasize all of the values that we want kids to appreciate: sharing, caring, diversity, tolerance, you name it. It's all in there."
Parents against code words
Then the parents of 10-year-old Russell Gerard got wind of what was happening in their son's classroom. "Russell came home and told us that his teacher had introduced a new pledge, and we thought to ourselves, well what's wrong with the old one?" recalls Misty Gerard, the mother of the fourth grader. "Then he recited it for us and we were just appalled at the code words: tolerance, diversity. What are they teaching these kids?"
Show and tell on 'Oil for Food'
While the Gerard's attempted to launch a petition drive and contacted the Alliance Defense Fund about suing the school, they helped their son prepare a quick presentation on the 'Oil-for-Food-Scandal' to be delivered during his class' weekly show and tell session. "It was pretty cool," says Russell. "I had Kojo trading cards to hand out to the other kids," he says, referring to Kojo Annan, the embattled son of UN chief Kofi Annan.
An UN-happy day
But Russell never got to distribute the Kojo cards or fill in his classmates about the scandal that enriched some of America's most fearsome foes at the UN. Ms. Duhamel and the schools principal, backed by the powerful teachers union, ruled that Russell's presentation was too divisive and asked him to leave the Kojo cards at home—or risk suspension.
No resolution in site
For now, Russell is back in school, saluting the United Nations each morning, alongside his 22 classmates. The Gerard's say that they've instructed him to look down during the daily ritual, and to move his lips without actually saying the words of the pledge. And they continue to encourage Russell to resist in whatever small ways he can.
Case in point: to the recent birthday of a classmate, Russell contributed two-dozen nut-free cupcakes baked by his mother Misty, topped with an iced tribute to Congressman Henry Hyde, author of a bill to cut UN dues by half if the scandal-plagued body doesn't adopt key reforms.
Should all children be required to pledge allegiance to the United Nations? Talk back to Cole Walters.
Happy 4th to you too CryptoCat--
and best wishes to all of the Swift Report's loyal reader.
Deanna
Posted by: Deanna Swift | July 01, 2005 at 09:19 AM
An interesting story, but one fact deserves correction. Henry Hyde eats more than a half dozen cupcakes at a time.
Happy 4th of July!
CryptoCat
Posted by: CryptoCat | July 01, 2005 at 07:30 AM