I am writing this in response to Shawn Smith’s letter that appeared in Wednesday’s edition of The Democrat. I too am a teacher in the Natchez-Adams School District.

I agree with the first three paragraphs in his letter. Teaching should involve a working relationship between school and home, and too many times there is a disconnect from home.

What I had a difficult time reading and digesting was his fourth paragraph where he stated that the majority of the children he and I teach come from a culture that celebrates ignorance, defiance and criminality.

No one has the right to paint any culture with a brush as broad as Mr. Smith chose to use. It tarnished his argument, it diminishes the efforts of the parents that want the best for their children, and it sullies the names of the students that strive for the best.

Yes, every school in this district has a group of students that should have more parental oversight as does every public school in our nation. Saying that 90 percent of our students are in that category should be checked for factual accuracy.

I do not think that is the case at my school. Disparaging an entire culture, whether it is White, African American, Asian or Hispanic is something that I, and hopefully the citizens of Natchez, cannot agree with.

We have a tremendous amount of work to do in educating the children of this county.

Let’s not anger those that are our allies.