Students at Osbourn High School in Manassas City, Virginia have a rather odd history class project.
They make dioramas depicting events from American history using cardboard and Peeps, those Easter treats made of sugar and marshmallow -- pure, perfect sweetness.
It's done every year at the school.
This year, however, there's some controversy.
From Washington's News4:
Hooded Peeps used in a history project at Osbourn High School in Manassas City, Virginia had some parents seeing more than sticky marshmallow treats.
The white-coned Peeps display depicts a Klu Klux Klan march on Washington.
"As a parent, I think it's ridiculous," school parent Alfred Benton said. "I don't think it should be at the school or the front office."
Some students support their classmates' right to make such a controversial display. "People who take offense need to accept it is a part of history whether they like it or not," said Osbourn student Calla Feucht.
"I hope most peple would look at it as a piece of history. We can't deny history, but I can see some people being offended," added Osbourn senior Jonah Higgenbottom, who took the class last year and made his own (non-KKK) Peeps project.
That's not the point, according to parent Vicki Henderson, who called the display "despicable."
"Some people want to know that part of their history... but it's degrading to others," she told News4.
The school system said that the Klu Klux Klan Peeps are a part of a history class project, a presentation using cardboard and Peeps that is done every year at the school. They also said that they have not received any complaints about the display and that there are no plans to take it down.
Other scenes on display show Peeps at Pearl Harbor and Peeps at Iwo Jima.
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I think it's a very strange project.
Why Peeps?
I don't think dramatic scenes from American history, like raising the American flag on Iwo Jima, or the attack on Pearl Harbor, or a KKK march on Washington, should be depicted with Peeps.
Sure, it's silly and probably fun for the students; but it's a weird and disrespectful kind of fun.
According to the news report, an angry parent e-mailed a photo of the KKK Peeps to the station.
We shouldn't rewrite our history or deem some of it too hurtful to portray. It is what it is. The KKK isn't being glorified in the project.
Actually, I think U.S. Marine Peeps on Iwo Jima are just as offensive as KKK Peeps in Washington.
I don't know why the display with Peeps wearing KKK hoods would be considered any more despicable or degrading than Peeps being used to portray other figures in American history, especially heroes.
If anything, I'm less troubled by the KKK Peeps, historical figures that don't deserve respect, than the Peeps as U.S. Marines.
I question the appropriateness of the project overall.
I can't imagine Peeps being used in a 9/11 display or a Hurricane Katrina scene.
Using Peeps in the project makes light of some very dark moments in our history.
Inappropriate.
5 comments:
I agree. When I saw Iwo Jima, I felt like they were disrespecting a powerful moment in our history.
I think it does not matter really since it is just a school project, and the students are learning. We all originated from Africa, and i do not feel offended in any way.
I go to Osbourn. The Peeps are used because well, looking at the date of the project, it's near Easter! Peeps are so readily available, they have character...why not use them?
Also, the project is based off a contest the Washington Post has around this time each year. They have locals send in images of dioramas they have constructed using Peeps. So if you have a huge problem with Peeps, take it up with them as well.
Hmmm...maybe you should even go sue the company that produces Peeps for disrespecting sugar and gelatin.
That is not to say that I feel soldiers and ingredients are on the same level- I believe they should be respected as well. But point is, you're overreacting.
"Hmmm...maybe you should even go sue the company that produces Peeps for disrespecting sugar and gelatin.
Lame.
The challenge seems to be how do we teach kids a harmless lesson about the harm inflicted by the Klan. Why not give us YOUR idea for this. I don't think any of us want kids to reach adulthood without knowing that the Klan is something to oppose. How can that be achieved without an education?
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