Thursday, March 28th, 2024 Church Directory

Letters To The Editor

TO THE EDITOR:

Last Monday, I attended the presentation to the Becker School Board by the “Child Protection League”, voicing the “other side” to a presentation about ways to keep LGBTQ kids safe while in school. I was horrified and disgusted as they spewed hateful rhetoric filled with misinformation, half-truths, bigotry, distortions, fear-mongering and lies — wrapped up in the cloak of Christian values. In my over 40 years in Becker, this is one of the most disturbing events that  I’ve witnessed. There is no “other side” to human rights, no legitimate defense for hatred and marginalization. The group’s accusation that the teachers “indoctrinate” children was particularly disturbing. Having taught in Becker for 31 years, I know it is a gross misrepresentation of teachers, who are steadfast advocates and protectors for ALL students. The board had no obligation to allow this group a forum in a public institution. Inviting them to speak was regrettable. I applaud the more than one hundred courageous and heroic students and teachers who were there in protest. Hopefully, the board is not serious about adopting any of CPL’s views into the policies of Becker Public Schools. Hare, homophobia, and closed-mindedness have no place here.

Kathy Geary

Becker, MN

TO THE EDITOR:

The school board correctly decided to allow a presentation on March 14 in order to hear a different point of view on how it should accomodate transgendered student from that given by an advocacy group last August. The irresponsible media lit up the internet with stories claiming that the board promoted “hate speech” in allowing the presentation. Quoting a proactive website (LGBTQNation) “LGBTQ protestors turned out in droves to a meeting of the Becker School District board in Minnesota to disrupt an anti-LGBTQ presentation taking place” (emphasis added). I agree with their characterization. One speaker made the point that your 1st Amendment right to speak does not give you the right to shout down someone else’s speech. But one teacher at Becker appears to disagree. Characterizing the particular demands of LGBTQ students as demands for “human rights,” she said “I don’t understand how you could think there’s another side to human rights . . .” Well, that depends upon who defines human rights, doesn’t it? Our founders established an exceptional nation, where the role of the government was to secure the inalienable rights with which were endowed by our Creator. Let’s stick with the rights He gave us.

Russ Armstrong

Becker, MN

TO THE EDITOR:

I am a first time writer who wishes to speak for many of my peers. I am a Becker Senior, who is sick and tired of having my year ruined by a small group of students who seek attention to their cause. I truly do believe that each person is entitled to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness and I fully support the freedoms of LGBTQ+ peoples and the right to their beliefs. Yet I do not condone their harsh denial of any other point of view, as seen at the school board meeting on 3/14/2022. For a group of people who preach equality and safety, the lack of equal opportunity for the expression of other viewpoints at Becker Public Schools have become too much to bear. I no longer can stand by, as a minority group of students overwhelm the school board’s time and attention, as well as distract from real learning to be done in school while leaving and  disrupting classes. It is no longer a positive movement once it impairs the schools ability to ensure a healthy and safe learning environment for their students. My message to those who take part in these protests: Thank you for standing up for those who were silenced for so long. I truly am proud of you all, but you have crossed the line between a positive movement, and a negative force. You have become a cancer to the learning environment of Becker Schools and are hurting many students stuck in between your protests and their education. To Joseph Rand and Dr. Abrahamson: See past yourself and

those who you represent, please see the students stuck in the middle who just wish to learn and quit stealing from their High School experience immediately. Your desire to help the LGBTQ+ community is admirable but is beginning to divide the community and the school. To the silent majority of students at Becker High School: I see you, I hear you. You deserve better, I am truly sorry that you will look back at your high school experience and have your memories stained by those who damage your learning environment. I hope this ends soon so those younger than us can enjoy, in full, their High School experience.

Maxwell E. Hubbard

Becker, MN