LisaP wrote on May 16, 2008 6:12 PM:Mrs. Atkins has too much time on her hands. This is PC going too far. Get a life Mrs. Atkins.

LisaP wrote on May 16, 2008 6:33 PM:Ridiculous! It's 2008, time to move on Ms. Atkins.

Crying Wolf wrote on May 16, 2008 6:35 PM:When you make a big stink about something like this being "culturally insensitive" you end up having people ignore you when there are serious concerns.

The Big B wrote on May 16, 2008 7:28 PM:PC - one of those most overused and meaningless terms out there.

What is politically correct is to whitewash a dirty part of our nation's history and dumb it down to a freaking "ball". Sort of like Thanksgiving - thank you for having the courtesy to mostly die off so that extermination was far easier.

move on wrote on May 16, 2008 7:29 PM:yes ... were slaves at one time, now get over that because thanks to that there's going to be the first black president of this country. stop feeling a victime, because you're not! let them have their ball and let's enjoy the new chapter on this country in which anybody can be whatever want to be.

former resident wrote on May 16, 2008 7:46 PM:I can understand Ms. Atkins' point. Why is there a Confederate-Union Ball and not, for instance, a Colonist-British Ball?

Martha wrote on May 16, 2008 8:02 PM:Mrs. Atkins-
I used to be a student of yours and I can completely appreciate your side of this issue- however, if issues are not brought out into the open- in this case, a ball where ALL children are invited, we can't ever change anything. I am greatful that in this country, we are allowed to take a look into our past (sometimes not a prideful look- but a look none the less) and make the neccesary changes to better our future. I believe that the balls that are held at these schools celebrate AMERICANS and I'm hope you and your family can identify proudly with that.

marko wrote on May 16, 2008 8:32 PM:They should be culturally sensitive and have a Cinco De Mayo ball.

southern belle wrote on May 16, 2008 9:44 PM:having been born and raised in a southern city that played a pivotal role, I can see the point of the parent. But, historically "accurate" can also celebrate the many black men that served in both the Union and Confederate armies. Where it would be historically inaccurate is that the white and the blacks would not socialize together - even those Yankees were not as "color blind" as some versions of history would have us believe.

Not every confederate soldier was racist - and not every Union soldier was pro-abolition. those are important points to remember as well.

YO LR GREENERS wrote on May 16, 2008 9:47 PM:My children, spouse, and I have participated in this wonderfully orchestrated event. I proudly salute the school and the Union and Confederate COSTUME participants, teachers, and parent volunteers!

Carrie wrote on May 16, 2008 10:06 PM:I think that the people that do not let things go, keep it fresh in everyone's minds. These are the people that make us be different colors, different races. Yes people were slavs at one time. In my life time I have never owned a slave nor am I to be blamed on other peoples short comings. I agree with everyone here. Let it go!!!

Dave Of The Desert wrote on May 17, 2008 8:07 AM:To patronize the overly sensitive, re-name the dance as The Neo-Con Ball and have the students all dress as clowns.

what a pain in the A wrote on May 17, 2008 8:37 AM:get a life.. you give the black comunity a bad name...as a black man I offended by your lack of community consideration...

Daphne wrote on May 17, 2008 8:37 AM:I have chaperoned one of these balls, at another middle school, and was encouraged to see young people practicing manners and appropriate, modest dance styles. I've also attended school dances of the modern variety as a chaperone, and believe me, you would prefer your student to attend the ball rather than the modern dance, for reasons that are probably only too obvious.

The students who attended the ball I chaperoned were of every ethnicity, even many that did not exist in the US during the 1860s. They seemed to have a good time. Even if they were a bit awkward in their manners, at least they were trying, unlike at a modern dance.

One can put one's politics into whatever form one wishes; one can carry grudges for thousands, not hundreds, of years (vis-a-vis the Balkans) however, a visit to the more refined manners of the past is not a bad idea.

gimmeabreak wrote on May 17, 2008 8:43 AM:Earth to Lisa P. A few things you neglected to glean from your History class: 1. The Confederacy lost the Civil war; 2. California was not a Confederate state; 3. Slavery and the Civil War was a blot on the nation's history; and 4. Confederate sympathizers conspired to commit the first presidential Assassination. These are 4 reasons not to dumb this thing down to a reason to dance. Mrs. Atkins is right on the money about this insipid idea. It ought to go away.

gimmeabreak wrote on May 17, 2008 8:49 AM:Fair point, Martha. Then call it the "American Ball" and let students dress up in whatever costumes from whatever era they want to commemmorate. For many the Civil war era was a time of violence and aggression waged over a particularly egregious and inhuman practice, period. Some kids might want to dress as colonials, some might want to come in Roaring 20's outfits, still others might want to dress like Eisenhower era 50's folks, and so on. Open it up to whatever, don't limit it to such a divisive and ugly period of history.

California Miseducation wrote on May 17, 2008 9:33 AM:ignorantly misidentifies slavery as the cause of the civil war. Slavery was just one component of the issue of sovereignty. May as well have a wacked out ball, illuminated via the grid.

VaSteve wrote on May 17, 2008 10:01 AM:It looks like a good way to learn. Including ignorant parents.Teach them that during the war there were 4 Union slave states. West Va made it 5.(didn't know WVA was a slave state,did ya?)Teach them that if the ball was being held in Abe's own adoptive Ill.,the Black kid could not attend. Ill. had laws barring Blacks from entering their state!(and these people are dying to free the Blacks?Right)Oregon had it written in their Constitution as well, so better stay in Ca.unless one of the kids is Oriental,which was the 'slave race' of choice at that time.But since the Chinese have seemed to move on, you probably won't hear about someone being offended.

teachertruth wrote on May 17, 2008 10:08 AM:Many of you don't realize this event incorporates a lot of different subject areas, including PE. The PE standards include learning specific historical dances that are put into actual motion at the dance. Are we not supposed to learn about the Trans-Continental Railroad either because the tracks were laid by Chinese workers? You teach the truth, you don't ignore it- or worse, make it completely go away....

Rachel wrote on May 17, 2008 11:01 AM:I find it absolutely amazing that a principal and teachers would attempt to rationalize what is essentially a racist event. This "ball" is a barely veiled celebration of an incredibly painful era in our nation's history. Celebrating the Confederacy cannot be interpreted as anything but celebrating a society that believed it was all right to own another human being. Costumes do not erase this fact.

Henrich- wrote on May 17, 2008 11:05 AM:It is shocking how callous the Escondido community is. Does Escondido fuel its community on racism? Do none of educators there read books? Anyone who has read Morrison's Beloved or Butler's Kindred could not for a second condone this "ball"--the pretense under which it is being put on is ridiculous and racist.

Jamie- wrote on May 17, 2008 11:11 AM:Holy cow. I thought that Escondido's racism has already blown my mind entirely. But every time I look away and look back again, I realize that they have charted new territory. I am embarasssed by this community. Why the persistent unrepentant justification of racism?

janet wrote on May 17, 2008 11:23 AM:How is this ball teaching kids about history? Balls were elitist events attended by a small fraction of Southerners. My ancestors were white but would not have attended a ball. They were poor Scotch, Irish, and English immigrants and would have been cooking, serving, and cleaning if they were there at all. If they want to have a dance, fine, but don't represent it as historical and educational. If you want to learn about the ways of the era, forget how the rich lived. Learn about how the other 99% of the population lived. If they weren't slaves, they were mostly poor farmers trying to scratch out a living. Just because we see all those balls on TV and in movies doesn't mean that's how most people lived. I hoped educators had more sense than this event suggests.

skeptical wrote on May 17, 2008 12:05 PM:Why can't Julie Rich just admit tha she has made a mistake? Show some leadership and cancel the event. I know that the real truth is that the teachers at her school love this event, because when students are working on "projects" of this sort, there is a great deal less for a teacher to do in the classroom.
My guess is that the real resistance to cancleing the vent has its source in exhaustion with an additional a dollop of laziness.

MCC wrote on May 17, 2008 2:27 PM:I'm guessing many of you who comment on this article are adults? Thank God you all aren't teaching our children. Our teachers and principals put in a great deal of work everyday!!! This "ball" is not so they all can have less to do. There is quite a bit involved in putting a "Civil War Dance" on. Many parents also volunteer their time in making sure EVERYONE has a great time. Maybe the powers to be need to ask the students how they feel instead of hearing how things should be canceled, retaught or just forgotten about by the folks who post comments!! I myself feel it's a great tool in getting these darn kids to remember history. For all of you out there who seem to have all the right answers, go teach our young children!! And really do you think a principal would cancel an event due to one parent? I'm sorry the student did not participate due to his parents beliefs. I'm so glad we are all AMERICANS and can have ALL of our children go to a dance TOGETHER. We've come a long way!! Let's hope our children aren't wasting their time reading newspapers!!

Wallflower wrote on May 17, 2008 2:35 PM:Why not a reconstructionist/revisionist ball, and invite carpetbaggers too? This isn't really teaching history (it's not even accurate; politically correct isn't an issue). What are students learning?
Haven't manners already been taught? Let's let Bilbray MC the event. Better yet, how about a "Centennial" ball -- 1876 would have been the first "unified" event post Civil War...in theory all might attend. Fashions weren't so different.
Remember, there wasn't much cotton cloth or consumer goods post civil war. The southern belles would look mighty shabby. Well, there was always drapery fabric, if you believe Gone with the Wind.

FRED SCOTT wrote on May 17, 2008 2:49 PM:Get a life Mrs Atkins. I find lots of things offensive. Yet I live with it. Everyone has a opinion. I think we have gone to far with this. Its History. If a black child wishes to dresse as a slave it history. You cannot change history. It was wrong but it happened.

Happy Parent wrote on May 17, 2008 4:15 PM:The dances were started by Linda McAllister, a U.S. history teacher at LR Green. Julie Rich was principle at Hidden Valley at the time and had nothing to do with its development. My children loved the dances, and their pictures from the event are proudly displayed in our home. Thank you, Linda for your hard work. Shame on those who call good people bad.

Ulysses S. Grant the Hero wrote on May 17, 2008 4:21 PM:Ulysses S. Grant was a hero in our American history. It is tragic that Grant Middle School was renamed Mission Middle School. The attack on the Confederate-Union Ball is just another manifestation of the hate-America politic that has infected school teachers like Kym Atkins.

Realist wrote on May 17, 2008 4:40 PM:The South will rise again to avenge the War of Northern Aggression.

josephine wrote on May 17, 2008 5:13 PM:Josephine says go here and listen to this great new song by T. Warren and Clint Lacy. T. Warren is of Indian descent.

St. Andrews Cross IS STILL A FLYIN'

it stands up to tyranny

They took a big ole erasure........
but before you take one more down, we think you should know

St. Andrews Cross is Still A Flyin
it stands up against Tyranny.

Yes, keep the ball we need more civility not less - compare to the recent Memphis dance for kids - Whoa take me back to Ole Virginia.

Jimmys wrote on May 17, 2008 8:20 PM:So, just to be straight here, if the ball held allowed only yankee uniforms, this discussion would net be held, right? If so, the very notion of wearing the Gray is inherently racist, implying the blue is not, now this is offensive and misleading. lincoln himself was a White supremacist.
This is a very good way to get the kids interested in American history. Books alone mostly will not generate that interest. "A nation that does not know where it has been, does not know where it is going."

to Realist wrote on May 17, 2008 9:46 PM:LOL I like you.

Remember the Alamo wrote on May 17, 2008 9:52 PM:We celebrate the Alamo, even though we lost that one. We learned the Virginia Reel in 3rd grade without a big fancy ball. It wasn't "PE" either. "PE" was about running distances and exercising and sweaty sports.

BVMS Parent wrote on May 17, 2008 9:58 PM:I fully agree with Kym Atkins' views on this insensitive event at BVMS and I applaud her for having the guts to express her outrage. Below is what a former governor had to say when a confederate ball was planned at the white house several years ago:
"To put on a ball in this day and time, with all the regalia of yesteryear, creates a feeling of acceptability, of apology, of excuse for one of the most racist and repressive epochs in our history, by participating, you are acquiescing. This peels the scab off a sore that is trying to heal. That era is gone. You want it to regrow? It's history, sure. But it's history of denying basic human rights.''

- Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder

Educr wrote on May 17, 2008 10:25 PM:I happen to know both Kym and her husband and have a great amount of respect for these 2 educated people. Kym, I respect your decision to not partake in this event. You embody the true reason this event exists: education. I'm sure you taught your daughter about this "ball" and she (at her young age) took exception to the true meaning of the confederate-union ball. The problem is that the majority of the kids attending take it as another halloween day! They get to dress up in old-fashioned clothes! People, it's about education not another dress up day. Good job Mr. & Mrs. Atkins.

TEAcher wrote on May 17, 2008 10:29 PM:Did any of you know that Orange Glen High School's annual spring football game is the "Minutemen vs. Green Mountain Boys?" How about seeing a bunch of latino kids being proud to be in the Minutemen team? I, as an adult know the meaning of these 2 organizations, but to let something like this continue in today's context? Please!!! Look into that NC Times!

Andrew wrote on May 18, 2008 2:16 AM:The one black that has objected since 1997 could participate as an historicly accurate American black slave owner. Another solution could be to let the lone offended black celebrate their past by being a 19th century African tribesman that sold some of his African slaves to the white European slave traders.

Liberation wrote on May 18, 2008 11:21 AM:It's the creative progressive thinkers of our society who seek to suppress the past and change history. This balls took place in history, we should allow people to learn about them. We should be allow to learn about white history (good and bad) and not just hide it from our educational institutions. I want my children to have "white studies" classes as well as class on other races. I want them to know history so they can learn from it and not repeat the mistakes. I would like them and all of us to look back in time to see what worked and helped society to help build a better future. By always playing the race card, you end up holding that race back!

Educr wrote on May 18, 2008 9:46 PM:You that think of yourselves as "color blind" are hipocrites. Disregarding someone's color or heritage is not accepting their true being. Wake up! If people are so progressive in their thinking, why are we still ralking about this? If people are so progressive in their thinking, why are they holding a dance that dates back almost 150 years? Please!

Astounded wrote on May 19, 2008 6:51 PM:I remain astounded that supposedly educated people are bending over backwards--bending farther than Olympic gymnists dream of--to defend and support a fundamentally racist event. What is wrong with the people in Escondido? Isn't there anyone with any sense there at all? Can't a thoughtful administrator admit that the event needs to be replaced with something else?

Simple wrote on May 19, 2008 7:00 PM:Cancel the event.
Replace this racist event with something better.
The kids will not care.
The only people who will care are the parents and teachers who are overly invested in some strange nostalgic fantasy. This "ball" is the sort of thing that the kids when they are adults will look back on and think, "Gosh! That was so screwed up. I can't believe they did that."
And if they think that then that puts the ball in the same category as smoking on airplanes, standing up in the back seat while dad drives with a beer between his legs, and voting for Bush--twice.

Mike wrote on May 20, 2008 9:08 PM:Interesting. So, Mrs Atkins thinks that the purpose of the Civil War was to free the slaves, that the North and the South both practiced slavery and discrimination for 74 years under the United States Constitution. Then, in 1861, they both decided to duke it out over slavery. Interesting. Slavery was abolished not by the Civil War but by the 13th Amendment (effective in December, 1865-seven months after the War ended.)

Mrs. Atkins is right on one issue, her daughter would not have been invited to this event in the 1860's. She also would not have been invited to this event in the 1870's, 1880's, 1890's, 1900's, 1910's, 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, and maybe most of the 1960's. Why does she blame that on the Confederates, too.

bryan wrote on May 20, 2008 10:42 PM:wait until the ACLU gets involved, the school will be shut down and the city will have to pay ACLU millions of dollars.

How stupid wrote on May 21, 2008 7:49 PM:It is a costume ball! the kids don't care about anything except getting dressed up and having a "night out". If the parents quit making a fuss over it, the kids wouldn't even care.

INConfederate wrote on May 25, 2008 7:16 PM:VaSteve is right. Slavery was legal in the North and South until the 13th Amendment. A few weeks ago, I stood in front of mound containing 1,616 Confederate POWs who died at Camp Morton during the war. Twenty-six were black, uniformed Confederate soldiers who chose to stay true to their Country rather than submit to Union forces. Let their lives and sacrifice be celebrated too. Children learn racism from their parents. I think this child is more than welcomed at this ball. It is her mother that is stopping her from going, not the school. The Confederate Army was made up of people from all races, in spite of what the NAALCP will tell you. Keep it flying. Deo Vindice.

Insulted wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:31 PM:The ball needs to be canceled. I call for a response from BVMS to our plea to cancel this racist event. If this is truly an event meant to be educational it's missing that mark!!! RENAME THIS DANCE.

Insulted wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:37 PM:The reason why we have not seen many other black families complain is simply because there are not many black students at this school. Still does not make this dance right. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins thank you for speaking up and representing what's right.