Dear Editor:
In the 16 years I have lived in the community of Aromas, I have never witnessed anything like the school board meeting held April 2.
I have been active in this community for over a decade and count many among my acquaintances. When asked at this meeting by some of these, “You’re with us on Mary-Ann (Tucker), aren’t you?” the question sounded so threatening, I found myself afraid to answer no, although, in fact, I have not formed an opinion on the issue.
What I did form an opinion of was the public who chose to speak on her behalf.
I witnessed a room full of Aromas parents erupting into an ugly mob. I stood not a foot away from a woman whose face was so transfigured by hate that it frightened me.
Parents yelled obscenities, slanderous and threatening comments to a silent Board of Trustees, which stood facing them, stoic in their decision.
Did these screaming adults see the teenage student representative sitting at the front with the Board? Can they imagine how they appeared to her?
I have yet to, and cannot imagine I will ever, give credence to people who feel their opinions are best conveyed with a raised voice and a finger jabbing the air to underline their point.
Hate does not win many over to its side. I will be surprised if it wins in Aromas.
I am disappointed in my community and dispirited by the actions of these adults if they represent the future through their children.
These same adults, who came to support the Aromas School principal, ended their evening of hateful behavior by vandalizing the high school library.
The stickers of support they all wore so proudly, they pasted on library shelves, walls and anything else they saw.
The hosting facility’s staff was left to clean up after this irresponsible and childish display of peevishness.
If these parents hoped to divide the community further, they succeeded. If they think that will improve the school district, they are sadly deceived.
Patty Brown
Aromas
