Record readers didn’t get enough context from story

Re: Palestinian students speaking out — Feb. 14

Discrimination of any sort should not be tolerated in our, or any, community.

It bears mentioning though, that some of the examples, cited by Palestinian students who described feeling censored, surveilled and discriminated against in this article, lack context.

For example, the article describes “a Grade 7 student told they aren’t allowed to hang their artwork with the other students because it was a map of Palestine.”

However, The Record’s account is disappointingly sparse on details about what it was about the map that led to it not being displayed.

Some maps, for example, completely erase the existence of Israel, a legitimate country.

Denying Israel’s right to exist is considered a deeply hostile act against Jews.

In another statement, it is reported that some students feel “they are disproportionately under surveillance on social media, and are facing discipline for posts showing support for Palestine.”

Again, without specific examples of the posts, it is difficult for a reader to understand why discipline was given.

If students are posting respectfully, I have great sympathy.

But if this censorship means being forced to remove posts and signage inciting anger, hate, and violence toward others, I agree that these types of politically charged messages are inappropriate within schools.

More work needs to be done to ensure that all staff and students feel safe and heard within the schools. This starts with dialogue.

Once xenophobia can be broken down and an understanding of the viewpoints of others reached, everyone will be better for it.

Jordana Strigberger, Waterloo