This article demonstrates authoritarianism through the teacher’s choices and actions. While some students were uncomfortable with the text of the Shahada, others were uncomfortable with wearing the head covering. Appropriate action should have been taken immediately. Instead, students and parents felt as though they were being forced. The pressure from the teacher was the catalyst in the outburst from the community. As the article states, in the future the class will be provided with a different kind of text to study, however this controversy should have been anticipated. It was not within the teachers rights to “push and push” students. The students went along with these requests because they viewed the assignment as an order rather than a choice.
Meirav Weintraub
I completely agree that the issue was in large part due to the pressure of the teacher. Her authoritarian way of teaching created the problem that the students had to face.I believe it would be interesting to see if there would be a different result with this case if an understanding, easy going teacher gave this assignment. If the school acted in a quick responsive manner this problem could have been resolved.
I agree with what Meirav is saying. I find it unusual that the teacher showed a lot of authoritarianism during her class. In my previous experiences, when a student would not want to listen to the teacher, the student would not participate. The teacher is wrong for pushing the students to wear the headscarf. I believe it was not a good idea for the teacher to give a lesson on a specific religion that is sensitive to many Americans.
Yancey Ko