Thursday, November 6, 2008

In Which I Uphold the Honor of the New Media: Updated

We received a very nice and informative comment from the author of the original poster of the teacher story. It was followed by a clarification of sorts. The writer could not refrain from the anonymous editorial comment. I started to reply, when I decided it was something that needed to be said publicly. Here's the comment:

Diatha Harris is not a teacher in Asheville, NC. She has not been for 4 years. And the film's producer misspelled her first name. That's what I love about bloggers and the “new media.” They are so damn accurate.Thanks a bunch KGS.

My Reply:

Since you did not leave your name, I have no way of knowing the source of your info. Fine, I'm not sure, however, what the implication is here. The documentary was obviously not completed four years ago, as in the nominees were not named. I can only surmise that you meant to communicate that she did not work for the Asheville schools at the time in question. Fair enough. That she worked somewhere is a pretty good bet, unless we are to believe the whole thing was a stage set, something belied by Diatha's CYA job in the interview.

As to your dig at the accuracy of the new media and bloggers. It is in some measure earned. However, such errors merely reflect the laxity that has crept into our culture, exacerbated by the necessity to earn a living, since those who get paid mighty well to inform the public abnegated that responsibility during this whole election season. It is the "new" assortment of media with all of its warts- including the guy blogging in undershorts in the basement- that presented information the American Public should have known. Are there excesses, inaccuracies? You betcha! You'll find them in both old and new these days.

It would, of course, have been better if the name and the venue had been properly documented. What you miss in quibbling about which school system and what spelling is the gist of the documentary excerpt and the post, namely that a teacher was using her position of power in the classroom to point her charges in the direction of her own political leanings. You may take exception to the messenger, but the message is accurate.

Update: The whole brouhaha has hit the media. You can follow it on Drudge, Fox, the Bookworm room. We were there first.

1 comment:

Teresa/ride4fun said...

I love the internet. Found the following information. She may be only a substitue teacher and her name was mis-spelled and the city is different than named. Just in case any readers in Cumberland County want to tell their schoolboard they want this bully fired or they'll fire the board.

"She’s in Cumberland County… Fayetteville. A LONG way away from Asheville.
HerBoard: http://www.communications.ccs.k12.nc.us/Board/BOE.htm
Her School: http://www.mmes.ccs.k12.nc.us/faculty_and_staff.htm
Apparently you can email her directly from the school’s website.
You can use your 1st amendment rights as an American to let this woman know what you think of her educational techniques!
Email Diantha: http://www.mmes.ccs.k12.nc.us/email/diathaharris.htm