Teachers demand apology from school board member over Holocaust claims

After reading this morning's story on Dianna Brewer-Jackson, I grew outraged.

"Dianna Brewer-Jackson does owe an apology -- to all of us," I wrote. "If, as an elected public official, she has evidence of racism and anti-Semitism within the Elmira School District, it is her responsibility to share that evidence, to demand an investigation and to bring it to light so that we can understand what happened, how it happened and why. If what she says is true and she does not pursue an investigation, then she guilty of protecting racists and anti-Semites. An accusation that there is a Holocaust denier teaching students in Elmira is a serious charge, and it cannot be ignored. Such hateful ideas must be opposed."

I still think this. But then, I read her letter, and I calmed down:

http://www.stargazette.com/article/20090922/VIEWPOINTS03/909220307/1121/Don+t+ignore+the+signs

Then I realized something. I think she is misguided, and she lacks the skills needed for public office. Her letter not only offers any specifics about where this happened or by who, but also no sense of when this happened. Was this recent, or was this months or years ago?

She throws memories around as facts and without realizing the responsibilities she carries as a public official. She could have said this as a private citizen and drawn no attention to herself.

But when she became elected, her words acquired more weight and as such she had a responsibility to not only speak, but also to act effectively. To not only listen and observe, but also take notes and follow up. To document what she claims.

But she has a responsibility to see the realities around her, to understand that she might have more allies than she realizes if she would only stop bashing those she serves with, calling them all racists. With such tactics, she does not serve anyone and she does not help anyone. These tactics do nothing to reduce the platform from which racism works.

She owes her constituents better.

However, despite her flawed approach, we should support diversity panels, community forums and an investigation into discrimination.

Charges of racism and anti-Semitism have been raised in the Elmira School District. They have been raised in a clumsy and awkward fashion by someone who does not know what she is doing, but she has raised an issue that must be explored.

So, why not bring in a group like the Anti-Defamation League or the NAACP to investigate, explore and establish where Elmira really stands on the issue of anti-Semitism and racism? Set up a committee, conduct hearings, ask questions, get the stories from the students, the parents the teachers. Draw conclusions about where we are. We may find that Dianna Brewer-Jackson's accusations may or may not be well-founded, but we may also find out something we didn't know.

And we may also be uncomfortable about what we find out, but that's a good thing.