Practicing what they preach St. Paul public schools are proud to
embrace diversity -- racial, cultural, religious and even sexual.
However, that acceptance of differences stops when it comes to the
political arena.

At the kickoff rally for St. Paul Public Schools at the Roy Wilkins
Auditorium, Bruce Vento, Paul Wellstone and Jesse Ventura were given
enthusiastic applause and standing ovations. When Norm Coleman was
introduced, and before he had even said one word, a sizable minority
of teachers booed him. I was ashamed at how rudely some of my fellow
teachers treated the mayor. I certainly didn't agree with the
political positions of a number of the speakers, but I would never
have considered anything less than polite applause.

I think new Superintendent Patricia Harvey's intention was to unite
everyone in attendance in a common goal: providing the best education
possible for the students of St. Paul. By booing the mayor, the spirit
of unity and enthusiasm was dampened.

It also bothers me that at gatherings of teachers, the assumption is
that everyone is of a liberal bent and it is OK to put down
conservative ideas and viewpoints. Where is tolerance, or even
politeness, of differing ideas on how to reach a common goal?

At this rally, acceptance of political diversity was
nonexistent.

Barb Detlefsen,
St. Paul