Over seventy people gathered at the Blue Hill courthouse Wednesday evening,
March 29 to hear speakers, ask questions and state opinions, and plan action
on the fingerprinting issue. Seven speakers presented a range of philosophical
statements, personal committments, and facts and figures.
- "I thought it was a joke at first."
- "Not one child will be protected by fingerprinting who wouldn't be
better protected by more sensible, less intrusive means."
- "The atmosphere of fear and suspicion created means I can no longer have
the impact on the lives of my students I once had."
- "How can I teach about such figures as Ghandhi and Martin Luther King if I
don't have the courage to stand up for what I believe as they did?"
- "I don't think the state is really worried about child abuse but about appearances."
- "People ask where the teachers were when this first came up. In the dark.
The law was pushed through so quietly that most of us found out about it from the newspaper or
from official notices in our mailboxes."
- "The damange this law has already done will never be repaired."
Comments from the audience expressed anger with the state and with MEA. The presumption
of guilt was a recurring theme. Anti-intellectualism is a long-standing disease
in America reminded one speaker, and teachers are seen as the symbol of
intellectualism. She further invoked the image of a leading Nazi saying, "Every
time I hear the word 'intellectual', I want to take out my revolver."
Stories were told of school administrators and others who, unable to offer any believable
evidence in favor of fingerprinting as a means of protecting our children, still
refuse to listen or to respect the right -- and duty -- of teachers to
think for themselves.
- "There is a good old boy network operating that actually serves to protect some
molesters. Fingerprinting will allow unconvicted molesters to receive a
clean bill of health."
- "They have given up on doing anything real about child abuse and are trying
to protect themselves from liability."
- "It may not work that way. A good lawyer might show that the state has knowingly
adopted a non-viable approach when real solutions do exist."
Two people came to speak in favor of fingerprinting, but one spoke to say that
she had changed her mind after listening to the discussion. The other spoke
of the horrors of abuse, but seemed unhappy with some of the law's provisions.
These two and many others succumbed to the lateness of the hour and left before
the straw vote was taken. 54 for total repeal. 0 for modification. 0 for retaining
the current structure.
All concerned were urged to contact their legislators. "Talk to other members
of the community outside education," said one teacher. "Their voices will
make a big difference." Names and contributions were taken for an ad in opposition
for local
media. Funds were collected for this purpose. This web site will publish the ad also when it is ready.
'The time is short'
Channel 5 was there along with representatives of several weekly papers. Watch for
reports and let us know.