Thank you for this program CULTURE LESSONS on Manchester Central HIgh in New Hampsire, which I just heard on WNPR in Hartford CT.

I was upset about how the young muslim women are being treated by the "Christian" white people. A student wearing a t-shirt saying "Everything I need to know about Islam, I learned on 9/11." Should be sent home to change his/her attire!

The administration is missing the boat on a golden opportunity to rweach tolerance. If I were in charge, I would require that every non-Muslim student study Islam, and every non-Christian student study Christianity. Freedom of religiion in this country is sSUPPOSED to mean ALL religions, not just Christianity and Judaism.

I am a 59-year old single white man. I practise Ho'oponopono (an Hawaiian spritiual cleansing process), and I attend a Unitarian Universalist congregation.

A plurality (1.5 billion) of the world's people practise Islam. My understanding is that (Mohammad's) Islam is a peaceful, egalitarian religion. A Muslim woman often chooses to wear the hijab as an expression of her committment to God; I legally changed my name as an expression of my committment to God (The "I" in Hawaiian).

- Alani, Hartford, CT

Listening to the piece on Somali Bantu students, it seemed self-evident that, having had no previous academic education, they need to start at the beginning with elementary education, rather than being thrown into high school with no preparation simply because of their age. That seems unfair both to them and to the school system. Why hasn't this occurred to school authorities?

Also, Isabella's story is not unique. Certain immigrants, though they are here illegally, have demonstrated their outstanding value to our society through academic or professional achievement, and I think they deserve recognition through a fast-track legalization process. This would provide an incentive to others to make similar contributions.

Edith Wharton's stories paint a picture similar to yours of immigrants' transitions and problems, only these were French Canadians and Italians around 1900. They, too, spoke English badly, assimilated with difficulty and were subject to prejudice from natives. May today's immigrants eventually find their way as well.

- Steev, Brattleboro, VT

I enjoyed looking at the photos of our school. I see some of these faces daily, but seeing them in a photo somehow makes them new again. It is important for our students to see (and hear)themselves reflected in the media.

So many people have asked me about Central and expressed interest in the school because of your coverage, and for that I thank you. I also thank you for the honest portrayal of an immigrant's issues. In reading the comments others have left, I see my own respect for the lessons diversity can teach those who are willing to learn. Those of us who have not had the benefit of contact with a diverse population must outgrow our preconceptions. The soccer coach is an excellent example of this process.

Those listeners who were bothered by the comments of the coach and the "teacher who talked about handwriting" should recognize that in the outside world, our newly arrived students will be judged in just this way. Handwriting may seem unimportant, but it is a doorway into higher education and the work world, part of the public face a student shows. Improving handwriting and other basic skills literate students learn in elementary school is simply helping our students to show that they are smart...giving them a greater chance to be taken seriously when they leave the environment of the school.

- Amy, Manchester

I am deeply moved by this program. The photographs are wonderful. The interviews, the entire concept portray a slice of New Hampshire and our country that is beautiful with all its complexities - 'one world' is manifest here.

- Nancy, New York, NY

I am smiling while reading the other comments. People are horrified at what the teacher said about the Somali students handwriting. Or what the soccer coach said about Barnaba (you spelled his name wrong in your post Christine)...These people are being honest!! If you grow up looking at white people, the sight of your first very, very black man IS going to be intimidating. The important thing is that this coach got over his intimidation and welcomed this new addition to his team. That is what diversity teaches us. That while we are all different, we are all also the same. Love the program, love the photos, love nhpr. What would driving down the Everett turnpike be with it?? :)

- Maegan, Pepperell, Mass.

I was dissapointed. The program did not explore the benefits of learning about differing cultures to community was assimilation not thoughts on diversity.

- Tracey, Peterborough

I grew up in Manchester and attended Central, class of 1978. My son, Jesse just started school this fall at Central. I love your website and appreciate the diversity present in Manchester. My son learned to embrace all people and all walks of life just as we embrace each other. GREAT PHOTOS - they really told me a wonderful story. I appreciate both your time and efforts which is a nice reflection of your community. Very well done and much appreciated from a former Manchester resident.

- Bruce, San Jose, CA

I attend Central High School and so typically our school is protryed as a ghetto, trashy school. Regularly we are reminded of the diversity at Central but rarely is it in a positive light. Usually it is a fight between groups or reading racial slurs scratched into desks. I really appreciated this broadcast and I think if at all, it changed my view on the diversity that overflows out of every hall.

- Anna, Manchester

I've been listening to and enjoying your serious on Manchester Central High School this week. It is refreshing to know that there's diversity in our little state and that our youth is paving the way for living with and learning from diversity.

However, I was frustrated to hear about "Isabela's" story on Tuesday morning on my way to work. I'm an American, born in NH, and my husband is British from London. We are in the process of working through his immigration. Right now we are living on opposite sides of the Atlantic due to immigration laws and a backlog in the Visa system. I was so angry listening to Isabella's story because she's able to live here with her family illegally, to learn, to achieve and to benefit from our society while my husband and I are forced to live apart. I understand she struggles as well and I am happy for her achievement but I can't help but be jealous and wish that I were the kind of person to defy the laws of our Country and smuggle my husband in illegally so we can be together. We have been told by immigration we will have to wait at least 6 months before he can return to the States. I can not leave my job to got to England and wait with him. So our relationship is over the phone until further notice even though my husband is immediately eligible for a green card. Although I'm American, we will struggle through the process for years to be free to live in this Country together. "Isabella" and her family make that process even more cumbersome.

- Stefanie, NH

I found one teacher's comment about Somali students having poor handwriting skills and reading skills to be deplorable. Why is it that we cannot find a more creative way to assimilate Somali students into our schools? The problem is that we are bound to a system that depends on data - things that are measurable and quantifiable - to determine whether or not one is educated properly. I think this is a problem, and it's directly related to our society not having any interest in producing artists, for example. Otto Piene writes, "Art [is] something that average conservative Americans object to ¦Art provides the means to understand oneself and the rest of the world intuitively and to act accordingly, to aim for a balance of body and soul and a harmony among men, nature, and technology." Unfortunately there is a dearth of art education because of our misunderstanding of its potential. Perhaps highlighting this local issue would provide a tiny hint to a much larger national problem.

- Allison, Kensington

Telling images! Very well presented!

I really enjoyed it all.

Bravo! Well done!

- Joe, Andover, MA

I really am enjoying John Rudolph's interviews with Manchester,NH students.I am so impressed with how these students are dealing with their lives which are SO complex compared to most teenagers' lives and reality.Thank you for your diverse and well thought out programs.If we can all wear others' shoes for awhile, the world would be more peaceful.

- Laurie, Maine

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