The circus brought to Tulsa recently by State Superintendent Ryan Walters attracted bad behavior tinkering on the edge of violence. It's typical for his traveling culture war crusade.
Nothing about the hastily called July 21 press conference improved education or advanced public discourse. It attracted his supporters and protestors and led to shoving, yelling and loud bullhorns, and even an 82-year-old woman allegedly spitting on others.
The issue is whether Tulsa Public Schools board member E'Lena Ashley was appropriate in going off script at the East Central High School graduation ceremony to give a 20-second Christian prayer.
Superintendent Deborah Gist said she contacted board members before they conferred diplomas about avoiding prayer, citing laws and court precedents. The board members while in that capacity act as government representatives.
At a minimum, Ashley showed poor judgment, and at worst she may have violated the law. She ignored the superintendent's recommendation and did not consider how those in attendance who do not share her religious beliefs would feel. She used the opportunity to proselytize.
TPS students are among the most diverse in the state. Many religions are legally expressed daily in schools by students, from Christian fellowship groups to classrooms turned into prayer rooms for Muslims.
Constituents complained at public board meetings about Ashley's prayer, with one student being jeered by Ashley's supporters in attendance.
TPS board President Stacey Woolley and Gist sent a letter to Ashley admonishing her decision to lead a public prayer in her board role, asking not to do that again. They again included legal citations.
Walters jumped into the middle of this, claiming that Ashley's religious liberties were violated by the reprimands. Nonsense.
No disciplinary action was taken. No board vote of no confidence has been held. No committee assignments were lost. Her only consequence has been public criticism, something she invited. Ashley is no victim.
TPS students are among the most diverse in the state. Many religions are legally expressed daily in schools by students, from Christian fellowship groups to classrooms turned into prayer rooms for Muslims.
Constituents complained at public board meetings about Ashley's prayer, with one student being jeered by Ashley's supporters in attendance.
TPS board President Stacey Woolley and Gist sent a letter to Ashley admonishing her decision to lead a public prayer in her board role, asking not to do that again. They again included legal citations.
Walters jumped into the middle of this, claiming that Ashley's religious liberties were violated by the reprimands. Nonsense.
No disciplinary action was taken. No board vote of no confidence has been held. No committee assignments were lost. Her only consequence has been public criticism, something she invited. Ashley is no victim.
[Editorial / Tulsa World]
