I read with interest and appreciation the Sun Journal story, “More Somali students graduate, find success” (June 12).
At the University of Maine at Augusta, we, too, have been impressed with the efforts of Lewiston High School faculty and staff in helping Somali students succeed. I would especially like to single out one staff person not mentioned in your story: JoAnne Dowd, the high school’s aspirations coordinator.
Last year, Dowd sent more than 20 students, including Somali students, to UMA’s YoUMA summer program. Through two one-week sessions, YoUMA provides high school students with a taste of what college is like through classes taught by our faculty, as well as field trips and large group sessions.
The YoUMA program was so rewarding for the Lewiston students that Dowd has arranged to send more students to this summer’s two sessions held the last week of July and the first week of August.
I congratulate JoAnne Dowd and everyone at Lewiston High School for a job well done in helping all its students to succeed in high school and beyond.
Michael Cooley, UMA YoUMA Coordinator, Augusta
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Ms. Tara, As a former elected
Ms. Tara, As a former elected official yourself, you should know better than to make unfounded accusations. In your zeal to defend a principle you thought was violated you neglected to actually read what i wrote. I simply pointed out the tactics of one person who quickly plays the race card at every opportunity in hopes that no one else will say anything. I will accept nothing less than you r full apology for the accusations made against me.
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An apology from an elected official? Even a former one? Well, there's a first time for everything.
That sort of post perhaps explains the word "former", if anyone needed further explanation.
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Mr. Reed, it is so sad and regrettable to see a former leader as yourself make such nonconstructive comments. It IS racism. There is real and serious racism in this community. I encountered it just yesterday. Racism is deadly to a community. It inhibits everything good.
Dan only spoke what is true and sadly what I KNEW was coming after that article. Being predictable is not attractive.
There are so many lies and totally ridiculous rumors that persist out there, even 10 years later~it is crazy, but racism always is, especially in the protests that come from people who refuse to see.
Fear, misinformation and ignorance continues.
What I celebrate in this letter is the good work of our faculty and staff in our education system. I admire those who are willing to face bigots and judgement to do the right thing.
Our children, our future economy are richer for their dedication and excellent work.
Thank you to all involved.
What I cannot understand? Can anyone here really "get" what it would be like to be living in your home, your country and be terrorized? See people killed, live in a terrible, horrific place that has had no government for 20 years of war. To be driven out of your country by death and destruction, rape and torture -- to be permanently shell shocked and marked by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Does anyone here know or appreciate what living in a Refugee Camp really is? The horror of it? To then be "relocated" and not have a choice about where... just sent and dumped somewhere.
As a mother or father to watch your children and feel so hopeless to be able to protect them? To leave all that you know, all that is familiar to you and have to adjust. This is not a choice, it is forced on them.
Now they come to this place seeking a decent living. They have different customs and beliefs. And if you went through all of that, would you not have some side effects? Would those horrors not follow you for a very, very long time. Ask any soldier if the horrors of war stop when you get home, or get a job? And that is with them coming to a place they know. Imagine seeing the, living the horrors of war for years upon years and then, being dropped in a place that is totally different, nothing that you "know" to put your feet down on.
I can go on and on. Yes, there are struggles and difficulties. There are differences.
Where is the compassion for a fellow human being?
And less, Mr. Reed, you whine about "why should we take them in" --The United States, a country built by immigrants takes in a very embarrassing low share of the world responsibility of refugees. On any given day there are at least 2 million refugees. The year the Somalis began coming to our community, the U.S. of A.'s "allowable" refugees to this country? 65,000. And we did not even allow that many in the country that year!!
So for the world's greatest nation, richest, most powerful, we take in a pitiful amount of the world's neediest. Shame on us. And shame on all those who whine about it. We are a selfish nation at times. THis is one of those times. You know what, it is NOT a good laugh. There is nothing to laugh about when children face terror and horror and then get judged about being here. And yes, they have obstacles to get over. Doing that with post traumatic stress disorder, well ask a vet... who is an adult and they try to understand what it is to be a child and have to cope.
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Where did Mr. Reed whine about "why should we take them in"? All I see below is someone joining me in pointing out Breton's standard tactic: anyone who disagrees with Dan must be a racist. If you refer to some other thread, you should mention that.
We all know the history of the Somali immigrants in the L/A area. You don't need to restate it because it is, and should be, irrelevant to the original poster's letter. Since you insist on setting it forth again, you have made the same mistake Mr. Cooley did. The YoUMA program should benefit all kids, regardless of race, color or national origin. If it doesn't, then it is racist and should be terminated.
The ugliest racism anywhere in the country is the kind that suggests that some group can't possibly succeed without lots of government and tax-payer assistance. It's the kind promoted by the race "industrialists" like Jackson and Sharpton. And, unfortunately, it's the kind that has been imported to central Maine.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Its always a good laugh when
Its always a good laugh when the village idiot plays the racist card....but then again the ONLY person who ever mentions race is the village idiot...maybe he thinks he can intimidate people into NOT commenting but it just makes him look like a bigger idiot to most on here...right jethro?
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.It sounds like an excellent program.
You say it was "so rewarding for the Lewiston students", leaving us to assume that ALL the students benefited. By mentioning one sub-group, you imply they have some special impediments to success, requiring staff help. Are the Somalis dumber than other students in Lewiston? Are they less ambitious? More willing to ride the wagon? Everything I have read suggests the answer is NO to all those questions.
Your letter would have made a much better summary had you stressed the program's benefits for kids, regardless of race or color.
PS: You can always depend on Breton to inject racism when he thinks it's missing. The only undesirables I know are those who post dopey comments at midnight.
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Kudos to the students, and their families. It is refreshing to see such fine people strive in a new land, These wonderful people have met such incredible hurdles head on, in their former land, as well as here in Maine. Please, let us all do our very best to examine ourselves, lets open our minds and open our hearts to all people, regardless of color, religion or nationality. They do nothing but make our state a better place to live.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Oh-Oh, the local anti-Somali
Oh-Oh, the local anti-Somali and other 'undesirables' group members will be attacking shortly. That clan gets very upset if I misspell their name, so I'm not mentioning it.
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