Parents — Yes and no to American freedom
Forest Lake Times, MN - February 20, 2008
Many Minnesota parents might share some of the provocative views some Somali American and Oromo (Ethiopia) parents presented last week. In a wide-ranging meeting, 30 men and women said they strongly supported some and strongly opposed other freedoms that their children were encountering in America. Their reactions have helped guide the schools their children attend.
These parents, most of whose families came here in the last decade, respect and admire our freedoms to select schools, careers and government leaders. Many of these parents had professional jobs in Africa, and they are bringing their talents to local companies and organizations. But they reject things that also trouble many American parents. These African-American parents do not want their children to be part of a melting-pot that:

• promotes disrespect for parents, educators and older people
• highlights negative images of women in movies and music
• allows some students to make negative, disrespectful comments about conservative clothes that young women wear
Sound familiar? Readers also will agree with the strong desire these Somali and Oromo parents at the Twin Cities International Elementary and Middle Schools have for their youngsters to excel in school.
Parents also want students to retain and respect aspects of their culture. 97 percent of the students at these two schools, with total enrollment of 900, do not speak English at home. 93 percent of them are eligible for free or reduced cost lunch. Families say their children are ‘in good hands” in these schools ...