A children’s story based on the tale of the Three Little Pigs was rejected for an award after judges became concerned that it would offend Muslims.
The animated virtual book for primary school children, The Three Little Cowboy Builders, was also criticised for its potential to offend builders.
The row centred on the Bett awards, which were supported by Becta, the Government’s technology agency for schools. The judges’ remarks, reported on the education technology website Merlin John Online, included: “Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work blown down, and builders are like pigs?
“The idea of taking a traditional tale and retelling a story is fine, but it should not alienate parts of the workforce. Judges would not recommend this product to the Muslim community in particular.”
Ann Curtis, whose company, Shoo Fly Publishing, produced the CD-Rom, said the criticisms were unjustified and could even “propagate a racist stance”. She said: “I felt disbelief, to be honest. As a small company, we have a strong ethical and moral grounding. We support the rights of all children in the world to have access to education.
“To be told that we cynically set out to alienate minority groups is a very narrow-minded view.” She said the group had had messages of support from the local community, including Muslims. The book had already won an award in a separate competition.
But the Bett award’s backers—Becta, the Besa trade association and Emap Education—said that the book was rejected for a range of reasons. In a joint statement, they said: “The reason The Three Little Cowboy Builders was not shortlisted was that it failed to reach the required standard across a number of criteria. The . . . issues highlighted were a small selection from a much broader range of comments.
“In particular, the product was not sufficiently convincing on curriculum and innovation grounds to be shortlisted.”
The statement said the competition aimed to “reward inclusive and accessible designs” and was judged by a panel of 70 people, including many teachers.
Showing posts with label Political Correctness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Political Correctness. Show all posts
Friday, January 25, 2008
18-year-old indicted for hate crime
An 18-year-old Colfax man accused of hanging nooses from the back of his truck and driving past Jena Six marchers in Alexandria in September has been indicted on a federal hate crime.
Jeremiah Munsen faces up to 11 years in prison and a fine of $350,000 if convicted on the hate crime and civil rights conspiracy violation, according to the United States Department of Justice.
“This indictment accuses the defendant of conduct that constitutes a federal civil rights conspiracy violation and a federal hate crime,” said United States Attorney Donald Washington on Thursday. “It is a violation of federal law to intimidate, oppress, injure or threaten people because of their race and because those people are exercising and enjoying rights guaranteed and protected by the laws and Constitution of the United States. Our civil rights laws protect the civil rights of all Americans, and they remind us that we are all members of one particular race -- the human race.”
On Sept. 20, thousands of people from across the country came to Alexandria and to Jena for a march in support of six high school students known as the Jena Six.
The six Jena High School students were arrested accused of attacking a fellow classmate, Justin Barker. The six arrested are black and Barker is white.
The arrest and case garnered nationwide attention after the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson made visits to Jena, claiming the treatment of the six teens was unfair.
One of the six has pleaded guilty in the attack. Others are awaiting trial.
Following the marches in Jena, many of the marchers came to Alexandria and gathered in downtown.
According to the indictment, Munsen and a 16-year-old boy, who has not been identified, conspired to threaten and intimidate the African Americans gathered in downtown Alexandria.
The indictment alleges the two fashioned nooses out of extension cords while talking about the Ku Klux Klan and the Jena Six rally then tied the nooses onto a truck.
They came to Alexandria where they allegedly drove slowly past a group of marchers waiting for buses to return to Tennessee, according to the Department of Justice.
Alexandria police arrested Munsen, who was driving, on charges of driving while intoxicated, inciting to riot and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, according to the police report.
The 16-year-old passenger was arrested on charges of underage drinking and probation violation, Alexandria Police Chief Daren Coutee said.
According to the police report, the 16-year-old told police he had a “KKK” tattoo on his chest and he had relatives who are members of the Klan.
According to Alexandria police, an unloaded gun was found in the vehicle and a set of brass knuckles.
The case is being prosecuted by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office.
Jeremiah Munsen faces up to 11 years in prison and a fine of $350,000 if convicted on the hate crime and civil rights conspiracy violation, according to the United States Department of Justice.
“This indictment accuses the defendant of conduct that constitutes a federal civil rights conspiracy violation and a federal hate crime,” said United States Attorney Donald Washington on Thursday. “It is a violation of federal law to intimidate, oppress, injure or threaten people because of their race and because those people are exercising and enjoying rights guaranteed and protected by the laws and Constitution of the United States. Our civil rights laws protect the civil rights of all Americans, and they remind us that we are all members of one particular race -- the human race.”
On Sept. 20, thousands of people from across the country came to Alexandria and to Jena for a march in support of six high school students known as the Jena Six.
The six Jena High School students were arrested accused of attacking a fellow classmate, Justin Barker. The six arrested are black and Barker is white.
The arrest and case garnered nationwide attention after the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson made visits to Jena, claiming the treatment of the six teens was unfair.
One of the six has pleaded guilty in the attack. Others are awaiting trial.
Following the marches in Jena, many of the marchers came to Alexandria and gathered in downtown.
According to the indictment, Munsen and a 16-year-old boy, who has not been identified, conspired to threaten and intimidate the African Americans gathered in downtown Alexandria.
The indictment alleges the two fashioned nooses out of extension cords while talking about the Ku Klux Klan and the Jena Six rally then tied the nooses onto a truck.
They came to Alexandria where they allegedly drove slowly past a group of marchers waiting for buses to return to Tennessee, according to the Department of Justice.
Alexandria police arrested Munsen, who was driving, on charges of driving while intoxicated, inciting to riot and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, according to the police report.
The 16-year-old passenger was arrested on charges of underage drinking and probation violation, Alexandria Police Chief Daren Coutee said.
According to the police report, the 16-year-old told police he had a “KKK” tattoo on his chest and he had relatives who are members of the Klan.
According to Alexandria police, an unloaded gun was found in the vehicle and a set of brass knuckles.
The case is being prosecuted by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office.
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