Star Tribune: For irresponsible Muslim-bashing, fire Katherine Kersten
Target:
Katherine Kersten
Sponsored by:
Katherine Kersten, columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, has made a habit of demonizing Muslims in Minnesota. But in her recent smear of a local grade school, Kersten went further and committed journalistic malpractice. There is no place for her in a newspaper that claims to represent a general audience in a pluralistic society.
Kersten alleged that the school used public funds for religious practices. Her evidence: the word of one substitute teacher who spent a few hours in the school, made assumptions about what she saw, and never got the truth. Kersten failed to mention that her source was a Republican Party activist. More irresponsibly, Kersten used a tenuous and far-fetched guilt-by-association to suggest that these Minnesota educators were connected to terrorism in the Middle East. Those reckless accusations led to death threats directed at the school and sent fear through the Muslim community.
Community members have repudiated Kersten's attack:
We agree. To the managers and editors of the Star Tribune, we say: You have allowed Kersten's racist bullying of a religious minority for too long. Now, your lack of oversight of her verification has unjustly damaged the reputation of local educators and placed their students in danger. If you want to reassure the public that the Star Tribune does not endorse her reckless bigotry, cancel her column.
Kersten alleged that the school used public funds for religious practices. Her evidence: the word of one substitute teacher who spent a few hours in the school, made assumptions about what she saw, and never got the truth. Kersten failed to mention that her source was a Republican Party activist. More irresponsibly, Kersten used a tenuous and far-fetched guilt-by-association to suggest that these Minnesota educators were connected to terrorism in the Middle East. Those reckless accusations led to death threats directed at the school and sent fear through the Muslim community.
Community members have repudiated Kersten's attack:
- Wayne Jennings, former St. Paul Schools administrator, member of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, March 12: "The school is not a religious school in any way."
- Charter school expert Joe Nathan, April 10: "The school is NOT a pervasively sectarian school. I have visited such schools - Lutheran, Catholic, Jewish, etc. Tarek Ibn Ziyad has no similarity to the pervasive religious symbols and promotion of a particular faith in such schools. ... The message throughout Tarek is of peace, tolerance and respect for others."
- Carla A. Bates, Minneapolis School Board candidate, April 14: "I call into question the integrity with which Katherine Kersten levels her complaints. I think it's Islam that she doesn't like, and she is going to put a successful school through the ringer because she doesn't like how it looks, sounds, or behaves. "
- Mohammad Zafar, a former Marine and parent of a student at the school, April 17: "Star Tribune needs to hold Katherine Kersten responsible for falsifying a story with very little or no research. She has shown her strong bias and false reporting ... they need to hold her accountable for breaking the basic ethics and moral obligation that all reporters need to uphold."
- Rep. Mindy Greiling, K-12 Finance Chairwoman, Minnesota House of Representatives, May 7: "Kersten's reckless journalistic standards have diminished this paper's credibility. Worse, they have threatened the safety of the children and staff at the school. ... Kersten's gross distortion of the facts in this case should compel Star Tribune management to ask for her resignation."
We agree. To the managers and editors of the Star Tribune, we say: You have allowed Kersten's racist bullying of a religious minority for too long. Now, your lack of oversight of her verification has unjustly damaged the reputation of local educators and placed their students in danger. If you want to reassure the public that the Star Tribune does not endorse her reckless bigotry, cancel her column.
Katherine Kersten, columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, has made a habit of demonizing Muslims in Minnesota. But in her recent smear of a local grade school, Kersten went further and committed journalistic malpractice. There is no place for her in a newspaper that claims to represent a general audience in a pluralistic society.
Kersten alleged that the school used public funds for religious practices. Her evidence: the word of one substitute teacher who spent a few hours in the school, made assumptions about what she saw, and never got the truth. Kersten failed to mention that her source was a Republican Party activist. More irresponsibly, Kersten used a tenuous and far-fetched guilt-by-association to suggest that these Minnesota educators were connected to terrorism in the Middle East. Those reckless accusations led to death threats directed at the school and sent fear through the Muslim community.
Community members have repudiated Kersten's attack:
We agree. To the managers and editors of the Star Tribune, we say: You have allowed Kersten's racist bullying of a religious minority for too long. Now, your lack of oversight of her verification has unjustly damaged the reputation of local educators and placed their students in danger. If you want to reassure the public that the Star Tribune does not endorse her reckless bigotry, cancel her column.
Kersten alleged that the school used public funds for religious practices. Her evidence: the word of one substitute teacher who spent a few hours in the school, made assumptions about what she saw, and never got the truth. Kersten failed to mention that her source was a Republican Party activist. More irresponsibly, Kersten used a tenuous and far-fetched guilt-by-association to suggest that these Minnesota educators were connected to terrorism in the Middle East. Those reckless accusations led to death threats directed at the school and sent fear through the Muslim community.
Community members have repudiated Kersten's attack:
- Wayne Jennings, former St. Paul Schools administrator, member of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, March 12: "The school is not a religious school in any way."
- Charter school expert Joe Nathan, April 10: "The school is NOT a pervasively sectarian school. I have visited such schools - Lutheran, Catholic, Jewish, etc. Tarek Ibn Ziyad has no similarity to the pervasive religious symbols and promotion of a particular faith in such schools. ... The message throughout Tarek is of peace, tolerance and respect for others."
- Carla A. Bates, Minneapolis School Board candidate, April 14: "I call into question the integrity with which Katherine Kersten levels her complaints. I think it's Islam that she doesn't like, and she is going to put a successful school through the ringer because she doesn't like how it looks, sounds, or behaves. "
- Mohammad Zafar, a former Marine and parent of a student at the school, April 17: "Star Tribune needs to hold Katherine Kersten responsible for falsifying a story with very little or no research. She has shown her strong bias and false reporting ... they need to hold her accountable for breaking the basic ethics and moral obligation that all reporters need to uphold."
- Rep. Mindy Greiling, K-12 Finance Chairwoman, Minnesota House of Representatives, May 7: "Kersten's reckless journalistic standards have diminished this paper's credibility. Worse, they have threatened the safety of the children and staff at the school. ... Kersten's gross distortion of the facts in this case should compel Star Tribune management to ask for her resignation."
We agree. To the managers and editors of the Star Tribune, we say: You have allowed Kersten's racist bullying of a religious minority for too long. Now, your lack of oversight of her verification has unjustly damaged the reputation of local educators and placed their students in danger. If you want to reassure the public that the Star Tribune does not endorse her reckless bigotry, cancel her column.
We signed the "Star Tribune: For irresponsible Muslim-bashing, fire Katherine Kersten" petition!
# 582:
11:47 am PST, Dec 2,
Ronald Ratliff, Minnesota
Katherine. I know you. You were a friend of my mother's. If it Catholic kids were praying at a charter school you would have no issue. You talk about how children need prayer and religious guidance. You are a munfiqun (a hypocrite). May God touch your heart and free you from this hatred. Peace bitch.
Katherine. I know you. You were a friend of my mother's. If it Catholic kids were praying at a charter school you would have no issue. You talk about how children need prayer and religious guidance. You are a munfiqun (a hypocrite). May God touch your heart and free you from this hatred. Peace bitch.
# 581:
10:36 pm PST, Nov 8,
Rebecca Small, Minnesota
# 580:
1:01 am PDT, Sep 30,
Nicholas Skrowaczewski, Minnesota
Katherine Kersten's distorted pseudo-journalism and shameless Right-Wing propaganda are an affront and an embarrassment to any decent, intelligent Minnesotan, and it's high time the Star-Tribune comes to its senses and gives KK her walking papers!
Katherine Kersten's distorted pseudo-journalism and shameless Right-Wing propaganda are an affront and an embarrassment to any decent, intelligent Minnesotan, and it's high time the Star-Tribune comes to its senses and gives KK her walking papers!
# 579:
12:49 pm PDT, Sep 15,
Abdirashid Ali, Minnesota
# 578:
9:50 am PDT, Aug 28,
David Jeska, Minnesota
Katherine Kersten is an embarrassment to the Star Tribune and to the state of Minnesota. She is an extremely angry, hate filled individual. She rarely gets her facts straight, continually shows her ugly racism, hate for minority groups and people who do not agree with her religiously! There is no escuse for having something like this on the Tribune staff!
Katherine Kersten is an embarrassment to the Star Tribune and to the state of Minnesota. She is an extremely angry, hate filled individual. She rarely gets her facts straight, continually shows her ugly racism, hate for minority groups and people who do not agree with her religiously! There is no escuse for having something like this on the Tribune staff!
# 577:
4:35 pm PDT, Aug 7,
Jessica Lopes, Brazil
The state's May 19 report clears TIZA of Kersten's allegations and found only minor technical violations. Now it's time for the Star Tribune to acknowledge Kersten's serious errors and irresponsibility.
The state's May 19 report clears TIZA of Kersten's allegations and found only minor technical violations. Now it's time for the Star Tribune to acknowledge Kersten's serious errors and irresponsibility.
# 576:
2:23 pm PDT, Jul 7,
Ibrahim Hafidh, Minnesota
The state's May 19 report clears TIZA of Kersten's allegations and found only minor technical violations. Now it's time for the Star Tribune to acknowledge Kersten's serious errors and irresponsibility.
The state's May 19 report clears TIZA of Kersten's allegations and found only minor technical violations. Now it's time for the Star Tribune to acknowledge Kersten's serious errors and irresponsibility.
# 575:
5:42 pm PDT, Jul 3,
Louise Edwards-Simpson, Minnesota
The state's May 19 report clears TIZA of Kersten's allegations and found only minor technical violations. Now it's time for the Star Tribune to acknowledge Kersten's serious errors and irresponsibility.
The state's May 19 report clears TIZA of Kersten's allegations and found only minor technical violations. Now it's time for the Star Tribune to acknowledge Kersten's serious errors and irresponsibility.
# 574:
9:52 pm PDT, Jul 1,
Christina Dinsmore, Minnesota
The state's May 19 report clears TIZA of Kersten's allegations and found only minor technical violations. Now it's time for the Star Tribune to acknowledge Kersten's serious errors and irresponsibility.
The state's May 19 report clears TIZA of Kersten's allegations and found only minor technical violations. Now it's time for the Star Tribune to acknowledge Kersten's serious errors and irresponsibility.
# 573:
4:30 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Nathan Kranz, Minnesota
The state's May 19 report clears TIZA of Kersten's allegations and found only minor technical violations. Now it's time for the Star Tribune to acknowledge Kersten's serious errors and irresponsibility.
The state's May 19 report clears TIZA of Kersten's allegations and found only minor technical violations. Now it's time for the Star Tribune to acknowledge Kersten's serious errors and irresponsibility.
# 572:
4:59 pm PDT, Jun 21,
Name not displayed, Minnesota
# 571:
12:54 pm PDT, Jun 18,
Eric Nelson, Minnesota
# 570:
7:40 pm PDT, Jun 16,
Lubna Moon, Minnesota
# 569:
2:38 pm PDT, Jun 7,
Name not displayed, Missouri
# 568:
3:30 pm PDT, Jun 5,
Shadia S, Minnesota
# 567:
9:21 pm PDT, Jun 4,
Jessica Zikri, Minnesota
Ms. Kersten displays her severe ignorance and intolerance every time she opens her laptop to write for the Star Tribune. What a sad day it is in the 21st Century that we are still buying up this trash that really belongs in the 1950s society pages. What, is she going to start complaining about all the minorities moving into her neighborhood next? Oops, too late! Cancel her column and save your paper further embarrassment.
Ms. Kersten displays her severe ignorance and intolerance every time she opens her laptop to write for the Star Tribune. What a sad day it is in the 21st Century that we are still buying up this trash that really belongs in the 1950s society pages. What, is she going to start complaining about all the minorities moving into her neighborhood next? Oops, too late! Cancel her column and save your paper further embarrassment.
# 566:
9:56 am PDT, Jun 4,
Shahin Mohamed, France
# 565:
3:10 pm PDT, Jun 2,
Duane Dehnke, Minnesota
# 564:
11:26 am PDT, Jun 2,
Thomas Ashley, Minnesota
# 563:
2:37 pm PDT, Jun 1,
Ali Alshubil, Canada
# 562:
1:41 am PDT, Jun 1,
IYAD AFALQA, California
# 561:
8:48 pm PDT, May 30,
Omar Shubailat, Wisconsin
# 560:
7:58 pm PDT, May 30,
Theresa Pink, Minnesota
# 559:
7:13 am PDT, May 30,
Zahra Osman, Minnesota
i believe that such woman should not even have the job..i would let u know that muslims are all about peace and respect. i dont understand how a bunch of minor kids could be linked what she has described the school be. for ALLAH sake please stop the hatred. im a muslim and i have not done anything to her so does that give her the right to hate me and say mean and unnecessary things about me..? NO of course not.....
i believe that such woman should not even have the job..i would let u know that muslims are all about peace and respect. i dont understand how a bunch of minor kids could be linked what she has described the school be. for ALLAH sake please stop the hatred. im a muslim and i have not done anything to her so does that give her the right to hate me and say mean and unnecessary things about me..? NO of course not.....
# 558:
1:39 pm PDT, May 29,
Name not displayed, Minnesota
# 557:
11:07 am PDT, May 29,
Dennis Curley, Minnesota
# 556:
11:06 am PDT, May 29,
Tamer Abouelkhir, Minnesota
# 555:
10:40 am PDT, May 29,
Sam Son, Minnesota
# 554:
9:59 am PDT, May 29,
Kelly Nesheim, Minnesota
# 553:
8:54 am PDT, May 29,
Yasser Elmahdy, Minnesota
# 552:
8:47 am PDT, May 29,
Rev. Jen Nagel, Minnesota
As a faith leader, I want thoughtful, honest, accurate reporting and writing about the community I serve; I seek the same for the Muslim communities in Minnesota. Please remove Katherine Kersten from your cadre of writers.
As a faith leader, I want thoughtful, honest, accurate reporting and writing about the community I serve; I seek the same for the Muslim communities in Minnesota. Please remove Katherine Kersten from your cadre of writers.
# 551:
8:26 am PDT, May 29,
Yanal Almanasir, Wisconsin
