Mayor Bloomberg today accepted the resignation of Debbie Almontaser, the principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy slated to begin classes in September. At 3:10 p.m. the Department of Education released this statement by Amontaser, who was one of the Park Slope 100.
This morning I tendered my resignation to Chancellor Klein, which he
accepted. I became convinced yesterday that this week’s headlines were
endangering the viability of Khalil Gibran International Academy, even
though I apologized. I have spent the last two years of my nearly 15
years with the Department working to create the unique educational
opportunities that the school will offer. I will not allow the recent
outcry to undermine these possibilities for the children of our city.
Almontasser, a longtime public school teacher and former resident of Park Slope, was criticized by some for not condemning a t-shirt made by a group which shares an office with the Yemeni-American association that Almontaser represents.
Randi Weingarten, the president of the United Federation of Teachers said her support
for the Khalil Gibran International Academy was shaken because Almontaser’s did not initially take concerns seriously about t-shirts that said, "Intifada NYC" and were sold by an organization called, Arab Women Active in the Arts. Mayor Bloomberg had this to say on his weekly radio show.
I know the woman. She’s worked for the city in a variety of capacities.
She’s very smart. She’s certainly not a terrorist. She really does
care. And she said something a couple days ago -– she got a question,
she’s not all that media-savvy maybe, and she tried to explain a word
rather than just condemn. But I think she felt that she had become the
focus of — rather than having the school the focus, so today she
submitted her resignation, which is nice of her to do. I appreciate all
her service and I think she’s right to do so. But now, let’s look to
the future.
Supporters of Almontaser in Park Slope urged her to stay on as principal. The school, whihc is expected to open as planned, is located in the Brooklyn High School of the Arts and the Math and
Science Exploratory School in Boerum Hill. No replacement for Almontaser has been selected.
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The Intifafa began as non-violent resistance to the occupation of Palestinian territory after the ’67 War’. Under international law after a war ends it’s illegal to acquire territory ‘won’ from the enemy. Palestinians had, and have, a right to protest this occupation that has gone on for decades.
Israel’s leaders called for an “iron fist’ in response to the non-violent Intifada. Orders were infamously given to beat the protesters – to literally “break legs”. Those who associate the Intifada with later suicide bombing ought to study how things progressed. It was only when non-violent protest was met by Israeli state-policy violence that the Palestinian’s protest turned violent.
Maybe she can get a job at the 5th avenue dog park. I hear they need a bouncer.
The word “intifada” is not solely the property of suicide bombers, and is seen by many to mean restoring the rights of Palestinians to live in peace and freedom.
Arab and Muslim New Yorkers are thinking, feeling people who are not required to agree with the vicious stereotypes that are presented regularly in the American press. A “lifting off” of such the brutal attitudes of many New Yorkers is called for, and does not imply violence. Arabs and Muslims in New York are regularly the subjects of violent attack for no reason other than their ancestry.
People wear t-shirts in New York portraying many other people who represent (or represented) violent views, including Che Guevara and Malcolm X. No one is demanding the ouster of Cubans or African American public servants who do not repudiate those t-shirts. Such a demand would be absurd. In a country where free expression is touted as the norm, Debbie Almontaser was held accountable for the views of others in her community in a way that reveals the degree of open hatred that exists for Arab Americans in New York City.
The word “intifada” is not solely the property of suicide bombers, and is seen by many to mean restoring the rights of Palestinians to live in peace and freedom.
Arab and Muslim New Yorkers are thinking, feeling people who are not required to agree with the vicious stereotypes that are presented regularly in the American press. A “lifting off” of such the brutal attitudes of many New Yorkers is called for, and does not imply violence. Arabs and Muslims in New York are regularly the subjects of violent attack for no reason other than their ancestry.
People wear t-shirts in New York portraying many other people who represent (or represented) violent views, including Che Guevara and Malcolm X. No one is demanding the ouster of Cubans or African American public servants who do not repudiate those t-shirts. Such a demand would be absurd. In a country where free expression is touted as the norm, Debbie Almontaser was held accountable for the views of others in her community in a way that reveals the degree of open hatred that exists for Arab Americans in New York City.
The attacks that have ensued against Debbie reveal just how twisted the facts have become in this society that claims to celebrate truth and justice for all, but when someone weares a sirt with the word “intifada” oh no how could they.
Yet, everyone forgets that not almost one day goes by without a palestinean killed in the occupied territories by Israel and yet people have the audacity to reject a word that for so many represents hope that a day might come when Palestinean lives will no longer be under constant danger
Sorry – but I think the word “intifada” is “not liked” by more than a few.
The media hasn’t placed the negative associations to the word. The people who detonate bombs in pizza parlors are the one who did that. The principal of a school that’s going to turn out cross-cultural ambassadors of peace needs to be more aware of cultural sensitivies.
It is so unfortunate that Debbie Almontaser had to resign. No one is more qualified than she is. She was simply targeted for because of who she is. She is an intelligent person, and she was not going to condemn a word that has a meaning but is not liked by a few. She is an educator that will educate the public, not reject words because the media has placed a negative association to such words.
It saddens me greatly.
This was so hugely unfair.