A Knight in Dragonland

41 responses so far ↓

• 1    Emerge // Jan 20, 2009 at 3:56 pm

  District 150 did watch it (if the kids wanted to) in District 150. We watched this historical day as a family too. This is historic, frankly I encouraged every African American to take this day off…

• 2    Lynn // Jan 20, 2009 at 4:02 pm

  My son goes to school in Peoria Heights, he is in 2nd grade. They watched it in his class, just not as much as I had hoped though. Obama’s speech was during their lunch time, so they excused them to eat.

• 3    Billy Dennis // Jan 20, 2009 at 4:38 pm

  I wonder if the person who made this decision wears an “I’d Rather be a Chink” shirt?

• 4    Shannon (Tebben) Sandoval // Jan 20, 2009 at 7:28 pm

  Matt… I was totally with you, right up until you tried to somehow equate this to a racist Pekin thing.

  I went to Dist. 108 schools growing up, and I don’t remember ever watching a presidential inauguration – regardless of when they were only white men being sworn in. I did watch when George H.W. Bush was inaugurated, because it was a day off of school due to finals. So I highly doubt it has anything to do with the fact that Barack Obama is the first black President and I think even making the insinuation is grossly unfair.

  Having said that, I was disappointed to learn my kids didn’t watch any of the event at school, but I did set the DVR so they can see it. I can’t begin to guess why teachers at our school or district-wide didn’t have the broadcast on in their rooms, but like you I don’t think religion could possibly be the reason. If I hadn’t had to work today and if my son wasn’t so fanatic about not missing school, I would have considered keeping them home too.

• 5    Proud 150 Momma // Jan 20, 2009 at 8:52 pm

  My son watched in 150 and I was glad. He’s in 2nd grade and wanted to stay home because “Don’t they know that a new president is starting?”

• 6    Knight in Dragonland // Jan 20, 2009 at 9:56 pm

  Shannon,

  The point of my post is that the insinuation of racism is easy to make, and that is why this was such a dumb decision. I am not saying that I personally believe racism was the reason for this decision, but many will come to that conclusion. Lying – or being totally hypocritical – about the reasons for not showing the inaugural just exacerbates the situation.

  I’m not actually accusing anyone in District 108 at Sunset Hills of racism or even coddling racist sensibilities. I have no evidence of that. What I am accusing them of is stupidity and extremely poor marketing. If religion really was the reason, then they’re hypocrites as well.

• 7    sam // Jan 20, 2009 at 10:25 pm

  Hey now, watch who you’re calling stupid. My class watched it, and no one in my school was told that we couldn’t watch it due to religious reasons. This must have been an individual school decision. I’m a little surprised you would slap all of 108 with that assumption, Matt!

• 8    Knight in Dragonland // Jan 20, 2009 at 11:00 pm

  Sorry, Sam … I corrected my subsequent post. I can’t generalize this beyond Sunset Hills and C.B. Smith, although it might have been wise of the District 108 administration to encourage watching the inaugural in ALL 108 schools.

  This is a historic moment in the story of our nation. We just celebrated the 80th birthday of MLKJr, we’re about to celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, and we just inaugurated the first African-American president of the United States. EVERY child should have been watching today.

• 9    Bonvivant // Jan 21, 2009 at 11:33 am

  It is so easy to slap Pekin time and again with being THE most racist city in Illinois…frankly, it gets old. I am not saying that we do not have our problems, but come on…it’s people like you who fan the flames. I do not think Pekin is any more racist than Tremont, Morton, and yes, Peoria.

  However, maybe you and your wife should have probed a bit deeper when given the answer that it was because of religious reasons. Perhaps contact the Superintendent of 108 for a more in-depth reason.

  Also, just a side note…I grew up in Pekin in the 60’s…my parents made sure that we knew MLK was a hero, a visionary, that everyone was equal…guess what? I brought up my children the same way in racist Pekin. Bigotry, hatred, racism begins at home..regardless of geography.

• 10    PeoriaIllinoisan // Jan 21, 2009 at 12:32 pm

  It was either racism or politics. It wasn’t religion. That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard I understand that other inaugurations probably weren’t shown in school, but even a conservative white male like myself gets that this is a bigger moment in history that should be witnessed by all.

  My children attend Catholic grade school and were able to watch it. They did not ban it on the basis of moral objections. They showed the children a proud moment in history.

• 11    Roger // Jan 21, 2009 at 7:04 pm

  As you read the reason that Sunset Hills school didn’t want the kids to watch the event, “because there would be religion involved”, is no joke! My daughter went to that school, the principal that’s now in charge is a moron.

  The district has some very radical people in high places, when it comes to this subject, it makes you wonder how much history is not taught because it involves religion.

  If on your lunch, planning period, and after school, all by yourself, no kids in the room, you happen to be a teacher that listens to christian music, and you pop a cd in to listen to while you relax, you will get warned for the first offense if caught, and can loose your job if you were to continue this type of activity, mind you, I said with no kids in the room. The head hunting begins with the placement of any religious symbols on your car, I dare you to wear a cross around your neck.
  But it’s only at a few schools in the district at this point, my ex taught at Washington, and met the problem head on, was written up for listening to christian music all by her lonesome.

  I think the reason you heard christian based music at the chistmas show, was because the number of parents that would put up a fuss if it were any other way, tend to make the administration tremble.

• 12    Kate Weidman // Jan 22, 2009 at 10:14 am

  I got the distinct impression that the religious reason was B.S. and that it was geared toward race because of what was said to me on the phone. First, they cited religious reasons. When I said, “That’s funny, because I can distinctly remember them singing religious songs at the Christmas Program. So that can’t be it.” She paused and said, “Well… we don’t want to stir up a hornet’s nest.” WHATEVER the hell that means.

• 13    Kevin // Jan 22, 2009 at 4:16 pm

  So Pekin schools should have students watch the inauguration so other people will be conviced that we are not racist? I live in Pekin and went to school here. I’m not overly concerned what other people’s perceptions are of Pekin. I didn’t watch any similiar events for previous Presidents in school…it shouldn’t start now just to be politically correct. I applaud the school district for sticking to their guns regardless or race or political party. It appears you’ve made a choice to educate your child outside of the school’s curriculum. That is to be applauded as well. Not every person should be force fed this event in my opinion. Take the unexscused absence and move on….

• 14    Knight in Dragonland // Jan 22, 2009 at 5:48 pm

  Kevin says “I’m not overly concerned what other people’s perceptions are of Pekin.”

  This is the sentiment I’ve heard from long-time Pekinites time and time again. It’s a mistake … a HUGE, ginormous mistake. You SHOULD be worried about what people outside the community think about Pekin. If people think Pekin is a community of redneck racist hicks, then they don’t want to live there. They don’t want to do business there. They don’t want to shop there. That’s hard to quantify, but I guarantee that real & substantial economic damage is done to the community because of it.

  In my opinion, sticking your head in the sand and denying the seriousness of this issue hurts Pekin almost as much as those who continue to wear Chink memorabilia, those who quit their jobs over the RUMOR that their place of business was being taken over by an Arab, or the kids who shouted racial slurs and threw soda bottles at a mother and her baby on Derby Street. By denying the problem you help to perpetuate the image.

  I agree that Pekin in 2009 is no more racist than any other community in Central Illinois. ALL the local communities have a serious problem with racism. Pekin is no different. However, Pekin has the reputation as the racist capital of Illinois. So yes … Pekin DOES need to be extra careful when it comes to racial issues. Is that fair? No, but it’s reality.

  Look how quickly two Peorians – Billy Dennis and PI – latched onto the idea that racism was involved. I’m not picking on you guys, but it’s true … and it illustrates my point perfectly. It looks BAD that every other local school that I’ve heard from had their kids watching the inauguration, but Pekin did not. I don’t care if Pekin school kids have never watched an inauguration before. That’s completely beside the point. They should have watched THIS inauguration.

• 15    Billy Dennis // Jan 22, 2009 at 8:37 pm

  Folks, I hate to break this to you … bit right now, in 2009, Pekin still has a problem with racism. Deal.

• 16    Bonvivant // Jan 23, 2009 at 8:25 am

  I agree with Mr. Dennis. Pekin does have a problem with racism but so do other communities because communities are made up of people with diverse ideas, religious beliefs and morals. But as you can tell from previous responses, not all Pekinites are racist. By painting all of Pekin as racist…well, how hypocritical?? Isn’t that right at the heart of stereotypical/intolerant thinking? Of “us” versus “them”? And no, I am not sticking my head in the sand. However, how does one begin to rectify the “perception” problem? Is it not by living our individual lives in a fashion to dispel those perceptions, i.e., being a light in the darkness? Did not President Obama challenge all of us to be INDIVIDUALLY responsible for making our country better, stronger and more tolerant? It takes hard work, commitment, and belief that yes, one person can make a difference.

  It is easy to be glib, to point fingers, to feel oh so superior, to continue to smear Pekin and how comforting that is to you who live elsewhere in Utopian cities of perfect racial harmony. (I choose not to address any recent events in Peoria ) But again, I emphasize not the geography, but what is in YOUR heart.

• 17    Kevin // Jan 23, 2009 at 8:36 am

  I still disagree….we don’t go out of our way to prove we are not something….let other communities slap on the white wash and wave the political correct banner….we should just do what’s right…teach the kids….I’m guessing this issue wouldn’t be here if any other candidate had won the election…would you be so indignant then? would you have pulled your kid out of school to watch McCain/Palin take the oath? Or was this only noteworthy since Obama won? I guess I’m less concerned with rumors and what you perceive as a need for our community to showcase themselves to others…I’ve lived in communities in and out of Illinois…Pekin seems pretty typical to me.

  ….and yes Billy…Pekin has a problem with racism…….so does Peoria….it must be difficult for you to deal…I know I’d rather live right here in Pekin and raise my family then go across the river to yours…

• 18    Truth // Jan 23, 2009 at 5:30 pm

  Um…Sunset Hills DID watch the inauguration. Ask any child who attended school that day. This is a lot of drama over nothing.

• 19    Jody Ewbank // Jan 23, 2009 at 8:02 pm

  Has anyone checked with the school to verfiy this story. There are lot of nuts out there who simply make up stories because they are so unhappy with themselves and their lives.

• 20    Donny Sevier // Jan 23, 2009 at 10:29 pm

  I am closely related to the only person at Sunset Hills School who talked to Kate Weidman Tuesday and the entire conversation was, “Are the classes going to be watching the inauguration today?” and that was answered “I do not know.” There was no mention of religion whatsoever, let alone a rebuttal about a “hornet’s nest.” So in agreement with Jody Ewbank, these blogs are places where a person can fabricate a lie and then get several more people to perpetuate it. The classes did, in fact, watch the inauguration, and Mrs. Weidman’s lies have caused consternation for several families associated with Sunset Hills Grade School.

• 21    Knight in Dragonland // Jan 24, 2009 at 10:05 am

  Perhaps the decision was changed after my wife called, or perhaps there never was a decision and the secretary was misinformed. If the children of Sunset actually did watch the inauguration, then it would have been nice if the school secretary had called my wife to inform her of the decision, since that’s the reason we pulled our kids out that day, and the secretary knew that.

  The phone conversation transpired as my wife said it did, not as stated by the secretary who is now trying to cover her mistake. We’re moving out of this community when we find a new home in the Monmouth area, so our personal interest in what happens in Pekin public schools won’t last for much longer. My wife is a very private person and certainly not a publicity seeker. She has nothing to lose and nothing to gain by saying what she was told that day.

• 22    sam // Jan 25, 2009 at 1:25 am

  Wow, so much mud-slinging in the comments! The generalizing of what happens in Pekin schools is killing me here. Unless you work in the district, it’s time to bow out of the conversation, because you really have no idea what you’re talking about.

  I’m sorry, but I sincerely doubt ANYONE in the district has been written up or in trouble because they wear a cross on their necklace or listen to Christian music. And as for the curriculum – if you want to know what we teach, in any grade, in any subject, all you have to do is go to the ISBE website, and you’ll have all the information you could ever want or need.

  Of all the people and places for you to worry about racism in Pekin, the schools are probably the LAST place you should point fingers. Any teacher knows their job is to present the information they teach as objectively as they can. Of COURSE our opinion sometimes gets in, but no one’s preaching to your kids, no one’s telling them to practice satanism, no one’s spouting off about what a moron George Bush is, and no one’s telling them that a black man shouldn’t be president.

  Yes, Pekin is a racist town, just like every other town in the Midwest. We should all recognize that and pledge to do whatever we can to change that. Pekin might not have a lot going for it, but I can assure you it has an excellent school system. We have our challenges just like any other organization – including the occasional bad apple teacher or administrator – but we work every day to overcome those obstacles and we do a pretty damn good job.

  We might deserve criticism for some things, but withholding historical educational moments based what people wrongly assume as racism is certainly not one of them.

• 23    Bonvivant // Jan 25, 2009 at 7:57 am

  Thank you, Sam, for being the voice of reason here. Your comment has made the most sense and amid the wild speculation and suppositions, you bring clarification. This whole blog was initiated on a false premise and misinformation.

• 24    Frank // Jan 25, 2009 at 10:26 am

  I think we have all came to the same conclusion. Kate Weidman was very confused that morning and her mind simply drifted off course.

• 25    Edgar Sandoval // Jan 25, 2009 at 11:13 am

  “Given Pekin’s reputation, what reason do you think many people will come up with???”

  You know Matt, its stuff like this… that will make it IMPOSSIBLE for Pekin to ever shake its label. I get why people here who do actually care, feel like there’s nothing they can do about it… because they’re just going to get tagged no matter what.

  Let me tell you from personal experience that Pekin is no better or worse than anywhere else I’ve ever lived or worked. That includes Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Monterey and Peoria. I’ve had racist encounters with people of ALL colors just as I’ve found there are many more accepting people everywhere. This is just how the world is, for better or worse. But Pekin is such an easy mark and some people will never let you forget it.

  Funny… the worst I’ve experienced here was from the king white supremacist from East Peoria. But even at his height, we didn’t see people playing the race card or lumping everyone together over there, did we? And I’m glad we didn’t.

  I actually take great pride in the fact that I’ve become so involved here and as my schedule will allow, I hope to do more. I feel like with each season I coach or clinic I run, or community organization I get involved with or support, that a small part of what I’m doing is helping show how involved a minority can be in this community. But I think posts and fire flaming comments like Billy’s and others help to cancel all of that out… by bringing more focus to the negative and by drawing conclusions that may or may not be true… but it’s okay to imply it, because you figure “well, it’s probably true.”

  It’s just as unfair to imply a group of people are racist based on history as it is to be racist. When our new president speaks of change… he means everyone.

• 26    Knight in Dragonland // Jan 25, 2009 at 12:12 pm

  We are NOT AT ALL agreed that my wife was confused that morning, and there are going to be serious repercussions due to her continued public slander on this blog.

• 27    sam // Jan 25, 2009 at 1:16 pm

  I did not come to that conclusion at all, Frank. I have no doubt that Kate heard exactly what she heard. I was talking about EVERY OTHER PERSON in this comment thread who apparently has nothing else better to do with their weekend than talk about how awful Pekin and its school system are.

• 28    Knight in Dragonland // Jan 25, 2009 at 1:50 pm

  People need to take a timeout and actually READ MY POSTS again. Did I say that I thought racism was ACTUALLY the reason some students in District 108 didn’t watch the inauguration??? NO. In summary and for clarification, what I said was that people in Pekin, especially those in any sort of public position, need to use extra caution when it comes to issues of race because of Pekin’s reputation. It looks REALLY BAD if Pekin schools don’t watch the inauguration of the first black president, but Peoria area schools do.

  I’m glad that it’s turning out that many students in District 108 did watch the inauguration. From what I’ve learned since posting this, the entire student body of one of the middle schools and at least some classes at one of the junior highs DID watch the inauguration, but the children in the classes attended by Shannon & Edgar Sandoval’s children at C.B. Smith did not. I still need to clarify what actually happened at Sunset that day. Either the school secretary made a mistake in what she told my wife, or “Truth” is not living up to their pseudonym.

  Sam, I agree with pretty much everything you said, with one big exception: “Unless you work in the district, it’s time to bow out of the conversation, because you really have no idea what you’re talking about.”
  I’m sorry, but I’m a PARENT. These are my children, and other than ensuring their health and safety, there is NOTHING more important than their education. I have every right to criticize the schools if I think something is being done wrong.

  Edgar, I completely disagree that confronting Pekin’s reputation head-on, openly and honestly, is a bad thing that only perpetuates the racist image of this community. The long-used method of ignoring and dismissing this image problem and hoping it goes away will ensure that it will stay in place for at least another GENERATION, if not more. Pekin’s negative reputation certainly hasn’t ebbed any since I grew up in Peoria in the ’80s. The current method IS NOT WORKING. It’s time to try a different direction.

• 29    Bonvivant // Jan 25, 2009 at 3:57 pm

  Reread the first two paragraphs and opening line of Edgar’s comment. Really read it. You can rest assured this is my last comment on this subject. I do not “ignore” nor do I “dismiss” the “image problem.” I responded in an anecdotal way, just like most folks did. Given your assertion that the “long-used method of ignoring and dismissing the image problem” seems to be proven otherwise by the sheer number of responses you have received from people who do care about making their community better.

• 30    Edgar Sandoval // Jan 25, 2009 at 5:34 pm

  Matt,

  I have no idea what the deal was with Tuesday. I would like to point out that the kids had just missed three days of school due to weather, plus the holiday, so while I would have liked all the kids to watch, because of that, I’m not going to second guess the district or individual schools. I’m pretty sure this doesn’t make me racist or a religious zealot (nor do I judge your agnostic or liberal views).

  I did read your post. You don’t say racism. You just lead the horses to water. If you don’t get that, I don’t know what else to say. I consider you to be a friend, but on your way of confronting the issue, we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

  It’s not that people don’t want to confront it, but what is it exactly that you want? Since you’ve started your blog, you’ve talked about “things not working” and “needing to do something.” But do what? Do you want Pekinites who are accepting and who do care… to somehow make up for history and the people that continue with racist attitudes? Is that even realistic?

  I’M NOT SAYING I HAVE THE ANSWER, BUT I’M NOT THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN PICKING AT THE SCAB.

  So what do you want? I have found who we interact with is much more dependent on geography and common interest than race and I don’t expect people here to change or be any different than anyone else because you/others feel like they’re not doing enough to change the town’s reputation.

  Take me for example? Should people here who don’t know me, search me out… have me (or other minorities) over to dinner or whatever to prove they’re not racist? Maybe they hated the way I read the news or feel what I’m doing to grow soccer might hurt other sports. Or maybe they just think I’m a jackass, which is entirely possible. There are lots of reasons to dislike me… I can’t just jump to racist conclusions, the way your “what reason will people come up with” type statements lead people.

  Have I encountered racism in my personal and professional life? Absolutely. But to chalk it up to, “it’s the town” would be short sighted and a slap in the face of the people who supported me through the Hale incident, or embraced me when Dave died or who have made me feel like a part of the high school family.

  So what do you want? Should there be regular “we’re not racist” rallies down Court Street? Should Pekinites drive to predominantly minority neighborhoods outside of town with signs that say “Pekin: It’s not as bad as you think?” Maybe “outward stance against racism” should be on everyone’s to do list just after “pick up the kids from school, laundry, groceries.” Though somewhat sarcastic, I think your readers get my point.

  I admire your idealism, even when I disagree with your ideas. Always have. But you need to accept that without a specific plan and solid philosophy, that writing about it and saying things aren’t working and consistently focusing on the negative… it’s just going to tick people off. And more often it’s going to tick people off who actually do care (I don’t think racists read any this and say, “oh yeah, we’ve had it wrong… we should change.”)

• 31    Knight in Dragonland // Jan 25, 2009 at 6:07 pm

  I’m certainly not asking for some giant anti-racism kumbaya-fest marching down Court Street. What I want is for those in public positions in this community – and that definitely includes teachers & school administrators – to be cognizant of Pekin’s image and not do anything to stupidly exacerbate it. If some act of racism does occur, like the unfortunate event that occurred on Derby Street a year or two ago, then there should be an immediate and very public repudiation of it. I’ve also made it clear in the past that locals need to stop resurrecting the Chink, and that someone in a public position in Pekin needs to be brave enough to say that.

  Those aren’t specific recommendations? I’m sorry that you think I’m just “picking at the scab.”

  Maybe I am “leading the horse to water”, as you say. I think it’s better to point out these flubs so that maybe they won’t be repeated in the future … so that people THINK about what they’re doing before they poke Pekin in the eye again. Going “shhhhhhhhhhh … let’s hope nobody notices” isn’t a wise policy, IMO. I also think it’s better if someone in Pekin points these things out, rather than waiting for someone from Peoria to do it.

• 32    sam // Jan 25, 2009 at 8:22 pm

  Matt, give me a break. I wasn’t talking about you – that whole paragraph (and the following one) addressed all the things Roger said about people getting in trouble for listening to Christian music and not teaching our students about important historical moments because we’re racist. I thought I made that plenty obvious, but I guess not.

• 33    » Basement Progress, Elliptical problems and Pekin bloggers Planet Stahl: Updates from the cornfields of Central Illinois // Jan 25, 2009 at 11:05 pm

  [...] http://knightindragonland.blogpeoria.com/2009/01/20/inauguration-unworthy-of-sunset-hills/ [...]

• 34    Larry // Jan 26, 2009 at 9:23 am

  It’s all about communication!!! What a learning experience this has been. Whenever you have a “he said, she said” incident such as this is it always difficult to determine exactly what occurred. Because of the confusion, other controversial issues escalated as well. “Everybody’s right and nobody’s wrong”. I noticed blogers not understanding the intent of comments made by other blogers and rejustification comments submitted. It sounds like one of those days we wish we could take back and just start all over again. Peace…….

• 35    RomanII // Jan 26, 2009 at 4:39 pm

  If you think Pekin, and the entire Tazewell communities, are not anti-black, then tell me how many black families do you have in the entire County? Most are in East Peoria and that is because of proximity to Caterpillar. It’s always been that way.

• 36    Knight in Dragonland // Jan 26, 2009 at 9:29 pm

  Larry – You’re absolutely right. I think there’s been a whole lot of miscommunication here, and I certainly take some responsibility for that. Peace to you.

  Roman, you might want to check your facts. Based on 2000 Census data, easily accessible to all in the Demographics sections of the community Wikipedia entries, Pekin has the highest percentage of African-American residents compared to any other community in Tazewell County – 2.55% African-American out of a total population of 33,857. East Peoria – 0.47% African-American out of a total population of 22,638. Now, that’s nothing compared to Peoria (about 25% African-American), but Pekin is more ethnically diverse than any other community in Tazewell or Woodford Counties.

• 37    Kevin // Jan 27, 2009 at 11:10 am

  pekin gets to count the federal prison population..which skews the numbers a bit….I’m not sure that counts as our community since most of us don’t interact with them.

• 38    Blue Fielder // Jan 27, 2009 at 6:31 pm

  Gee, Kevin, what are you implying there?

• 39    Kevin // Jan 28, 2009 at 7:31 am

  I’m not implying anything. The fact is the majority of the federal prison population is black. That information is available on the u.s. government webisite the fedeal prisons have. The federal prison population is included in our census figures. It might give the impression that our community is more diversified than what it is….we are not a very ethnically diversified community….that is for sure. Tazewell county as a whole is not very diversified.

• 40    sam // Jan 28, 2009 at 7:53 pm

  That is true…our overall African American population in the district is only 0.5%. Check it out: http://iirc.niu.edu/District.aspx?districtID=53090108002

• 41    Knight in Dragonland // Jan 29, 2009 at 6:21 pm

  Which, nonetheless, would make the percentage of the African-American population approximately equal to East Peoria’s – not substantially less as Roman implied. Looking at the same site for East Peoria District 86, their African-American student percentage is 0.8% out of 1808 total enrollment (14 students) vs. 0.5% of 3424 total enrollment in Pekin 108 (17 students). Interestingly, there is a significantly higher percentage of multiracial kids in East Peoria – 5.3% vs. 1.9% in Pekin – although in absolute numbers it’s only 30 more than Pekin (96 vs. 65).

  Yes, when compared to Peoria, Tazewell’s diversity sucks. That is a real issue, because we live in a diverse, multi-ethnic society, and that diversity is only increasing as the years go on. However, my original point still stands: when compared to other communities in Tazewell, Pekin is similar or more diverse.

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