I got an opportunity to share my thoughts on the travel ban in an op-ed for the Baltimore Sun. It was published over the weekend in their online edition, and went out this morning in the print edition. I wrote about my toddler’s love of firetrucks, what it means to be a good neighbor, and what I see as fading American values.

…While the justices implemented some limitations on the original travel ban executive order, they also allowed for a partial implementation, which will deny visas to citizens of six Muslim-majority nations, as well as ban entry of refugees from around the world. What this really means though, since most of the people from the six visa-banned countries aren’t likely to be coming for a tour through the American countryside, is that we are refusing entry to those who need it most. And it has gotten me thinking about firefighters, good neighbors and what it means to be American.

If you’re interested, here’s the link.

(Featured image is of a PDF of the print edition).

P.S. – An old post, in which I ask: How Should Teachers Discuss the 2016 Election?

About the Author

Punita Rice

Punita Rice is the founder of the ISAASE.org resource-hub, and author of the research book "South Asian American Experiences in Schools: Brown Voices from the Classroom" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), the children's book series "The Adventures of Hunny & Sunny," and "Toddler Weaning." She holds a Doctorate in Education from Johns Hopkins University, and is a former classroom teacher, academic adviser, and researcher. She lives in Maryland.

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