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Mindy Chermak, the "One Blissful Principal" of the beleaguered Professional Performing Arts School in New York City is courageously hiding from the many protesters outraged that she had invited the disgraced Bill Clinton to speak at the School graduation.
Determined to remain invisible, she has ignored attempts to communicate and has even refused to speak with rape survivor and human rights activist Katherine Prudhomme. Prudhomme is a sincere and courageous young woman who faced and overcame personal tragedy. She is dedicated to helping those who endured similar pain and is unafraid to challenge the powerful in her quest for honesty and justice. Staunch defender of Juanita Broaddrick, she was a target of the Clinton-Gore Internal Revenue Service. The treatment she received from Chermak was unfair and shabby and displayed an arrogance difficult to excuse in a public official.
Sources within the New York City Public Schools recently informed Dulles NOW that Chermak's decision deepened an already growing rift among New York educators, angered by the negative publicity brought upon them once again. Last month, rank-and-file members were already stunned to hear that the United Federation of Teachers wanted to honor Clinton with the prestigious John Dewey humanitarian award. Now, many feel that Chermak is adding unnecessary fuel to a smoldering fire and they resent it.
"This is just insane," Brooklyn history teacher Morris Martin told the New York Post. "Clinton isn't a role model for adults, let alone children." Fellow science teacher Brenda Fuqua, also from New York, said "Clinton is not worthy of getting a dog tag around his neck. He's brought more disgrace to this country than any other president."
We understand that Mindy Chermak has great admiration for the dishonored ex-president. She is entitled to her views. But there is nothing inherently pedagogical about inviting an impeached leader known for abusing women, some of them barely older than the PPAS students. As further truths about the Clinton administration cannot but unravel, the children happy and proud to shake the hand of a former United States president today will become resentful adults tomorrow for having had their honest emotions manipulated by adults who know better.
In placing what appears to be personal feelings above all other considerations, some of them long-term, we believe that Principal Chermak failed those who trusted her professional judgment: the students, their parents, fellow educators, and a school assured to be as ridiculed as Cardozo Law School was. In addition, she placed the New York Public Schools administration in an untenable position from which there is no graceful exit. Still, we retain hope that the Public Schools leadership will do the right thing toward those who only matter - the children - and invite a more appropriate speaker.
Mindy Chermak is fast becoming "One Irresponsible Principal". It is time for her to emerge from a self-imposed unflattering silence and to face critics and supporters alike. She must openly stand behind her decision, regardless of consequences, as is the duty of public leaders in a free society.
FreeRepublic.com originated this protest. |
