School…CS…VT? NOT!

 This is written by my friend Carolyn Sun.

The situation with my friend’s expulsion is now turning into an unfounded political drama. My sister does a good job of explaining it to you and giving you ways to respond. Here is her update, posted on Facebook:

A Life Tied Up In Politics share

I’m not one to get particularly fervent in political matters, and perhaps that makes me a bad American, but when something hits home, it’s time to get off the couch and do something.

If you have kept up with my sister’s note “The Expected Race-Related Reaction,” you know that something has in fact hit home: a family friend was recently expelled for creating a Counterstrike game with his school’s backdrop, and after getting labeled a “terrorist” by his principal, he was sent to an “Alternative Education Center” and banned from his graduation at the end of this month.

The game? An Anti-Terrorist fighting a Terrorist (that’s two characters) in a high school backdrop, Counterstrike style. The alleged “weapons” found (without a warrant but with consent) in his house? A hammer he used to fix his broken bed. The charges? None. The damage he caused? None. The damage caused on him? Expulsion, “terrorist” label, rumors and gossip, a jeopardized future.

Last week, my parents and ~70 other Asian-Americans attended the Board’s general meeting to voice their concerns about Asian-American treatment (as you cannot discuss specific matters in a general session). My father communicated that in light of the VTech tragedy, we as a community should be united, not quick to prosecute without “firm and unquestionable evidence.” That is a quote put in the correct context of his speech, unlike Bob Dunn’s article in which he misquoted my father and extracted quotes at his leisure:
http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2847/chinese-community-rallies-behind-student-removed-from-clements-over-pc-game-map

Then come this past Monday, my family friend’s situation was scheduled to be discussed during a special session; instead, politics happened. How, you may ask, is this a political matter? I still have trouble figuring this out, but Fort Bend politicians have managed to turn a student’s expulsion into a political battle. The school board has successfully put their own hidden agenda in the forefront and on the headlines, claiming foul play in garnering votes for re-election and staging boycotts at Board special meetings. Apparently, seeking justice for a high school senior is actually about getting the Asian vote, and that’s the real important issue at hand. You can read a somewhat biased account of the politics here:

http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2848/parents-pack-boardroom-fbisd-trustees-boycott-meeting

School Board President Steve Smelley and trustees Cynthia Knox, Sonal Bhuchar, and Laurie Caldwell refused to attend Monday’s special session in protest, accusing fellow Trustees Lisa Rickert and Stan Magee of manipulating votes for re-election. They allege that Rickert and Magee made under-the-table promises to secure votes for their upcoming re-election, subsequently violating a number of codes, and in response, Smelley et. al. strategically skipped a meeting he called himself.

With all this talk about politics, I can see how easy it is for Board President Smelley to forget about the expelled student with a now-tainted reputation. Who cares that each week of the boycotting shenanigan takes one week from a senior’s education at his high school? Who cares that a student’s quest for justice is instead made into a platform for political gain?

The head of the School Board doesn’t seem to care, nor the superintendent, nor other under-informed residents of my hometown (Channel 14 has now picked up the story and is running the news based off of the superintendent’s views and information).

But I care, and I hope you do, too. I hope you care enough to get informed and get in action to support who really matters: a person – my family friend. Take action and make comments on the website listed above, pushing resolution of the STUDENT’S issue, not the Board’s.

Contact the Board President Smelley, letting him know that pointing fingers and twisting politics is an irresponsible use of power, as a student’s future is at stake.

Board President Steve Smelley
ssmelley@fortbend.k12.tx.us
phone: 281-261-6856
http://www.zoominfo.com/search/PersonDetail.aspx?PersonID=76635684

Contact Superintendent Jenney and let him know that you do not approve of the politicking going on and ask him to base decisions on FACTS and evidence, not politics of fear and paranoia.

Superintendent Tim Jenney
superintendent@fortbend.k12.tx.us
phone: (281) 634-1000
http://www.zoominfo.com/Search/PersonDetail.aspx?PersonID=27389543&QueryID=3a8a143b-22f5-437a-a765-1e3299dc725b

While you’re at it, go ahead and contact everyone else:
CHS Principal Kevin Moran
Kevin.Moran@fortbend.k12.tx.us
phone: 281-634-2156

Contact other Board Members:
http://www.fortbend.k12.tx.us/board/meet.cfm

Let these decision makers know that yes, we the “little people” are still important, and when united, we can make a difference. We cannot be bullied and discouraged by those in power and we will not let a gross misuse of the political system deter us from seeking truth and justice.

Take action. Contact Mr. Smelley and Mr. Jenney. Remind them that a high school senior’s future is at stake, and a life is more important than politics.

Please take action. Thanks.