Students need balance to presentation

To the editor

   On Jan. 6, a gentleman by the name of Sowore Omoleye spoke to approximately 100 of our high school social studies students about human rights.
   As reported in the Jan. 9 edition of the Beacon by Sally Goldenberg, Mr. Omoleye discussed his horrifying imprisonment after opposing the Nigerian government’s plan to reduce the number of Nigerian universities. One can only imagine such a turn of events in our country.
   Happily, Mr. Omoleye was released, moved to the U.S. in 1999 and is currently working towards his masters degree in public administration at Columbia. So far, the making of a very positive "assembly."
   However, the article includes excerpts from Mr. Omoleye’s closing where he reprimands the United States for various policies including our current posture with Iraq, North Korea and Iran. He goes so far as to say "the United States is committing a human rights violation by going to war in Iraq which is not a military equal to the U.S." and, "It is amazing the amount of ignorance among our people here (in the U.S) on human rights."
   He stated, "this is because Americans lead such leisurely lives" adding, "the luxury is so much that people don’t think about human rights in this country, we need a global movement to change the world."
   I’d like to know if the high school has plans to hire a speaker with an opposing view. Mr. Omoleye has every right to free speech in Hillsborough. But does the high school have the right to spend our tax dollars in providing a forum for such unbalanced rhetoric?
   I’ve confirmed Mr. Omoleye’s fee was derived from the high school’s 10- member Amnesty International chapter. I’d also like to confirm the high school is teaching our kids about the oppression and murder within the very governments Mr. Omoleye seems to defend.
   Will there be a speaker to highlight the fact that United States spends more money and resources than any other country on the planet to clothe, feed, defend and shelter so many less fortunate people around the world? Or a speaker to discuss the assistance America provided, in Bosnia, Somalia or the Middle East, saving thousands of innocent lives from the perils of genocide, and starvation?
   We need to teach our children that with injustice as part of the history and culture of our country, there is far more beauty to behold in the freedom and liberties that have created the seeds of social, political and economic reforms, which in turn, have changed the world forever.
   We must protect these ideals and principles by offering a balance to our children at all times, but especially in our educational system. Where is that speaker?
   I have asked Dr. Michael Rossi Jr., supervisor of social studies, to forward an invitation to Congressman Mike Ferguson’s (7th District) office to discuss America’s human rights initiatives. We also understand the congressman (or his representative) is looking forward to this opportunity to speak at Hillsborough High School.

Charles Molinari
Hillsborough