Scholastic, Inc. Reinstates Ancient Persia (Iran) in the Ancient Civilization Section of its The New Book of Knowledge
-
Author:
n/a -
Send To:
Education and Global Perspectives
-
Sponsored By:
Independent Scholars -
More Info at:
SCHOLASTIC, Inc. Reinstates ANCIENT PERSIA (Iran) in the Ancient Civilization Section of The New Book of Knowledge
Professor David N. Rahni reports
Note-(You may sign the new petition on bottom herein)
In response to concerns expressed by the academic, scholarly and Iranian communities worldwide, the majority of which were from the U.S., Scholastic, Inc. has revised the article Ancient Civilizations in its 2006 twenty volume, The New Book of Knowledge so as to ensure that the Ancient Persia (Iran) is included both in its text, its chronological pictorial Timeline and map, in addition to the existing coverage under Persia in Volume P. This outcome is the result of a dialogue between a few community leaders, and Scholastic, Inc. representatives.
Based on a Petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/071056/petition.html ) sponsored by The Global Concerned Scholars on SCHOLASTIC Conduct, relating to the matter of the lack of inclusion of the Ancient Persia, endorsed by several thousands, and having received a significant number of protest letter and phone calls, not only from Americans of Iranian/Persian heritage, but also American and European Scholars, David N. Rahni and Marzie Jafari representing the community, articulated the communitys concerns to Scholastic, Inc. A request was made for the company to provide for the reinclusion of the Ancient Persia in the Ancient Civilization chapter and its Timeline and map, the development and distribution of a 2-4 page insert documentation on the Ancient Persia that could be distributed to all those institutions and individuals who purchased the Book of Knowledge and/or its supplements in 2005, and a request for information about scholarship opportunities offered by Scholastic, as well as how to present Persian story books to be considered for their distribution list. Although the Scholastic, Inc. response to the first item above was decisively positive and supportive, no specific commitment was made on the latter demands. Scholastic expressed great respect for the Iranian/Persian community, recognizing the historical importance of the Ancient Persia and its contribution to civilization. Scholastic acknowledged that the Persian-American Community could submit their list of books already available in the market to be reviewed by Scholastic for possible inclusion in future distribution lists and could submit recommendations to Scholastic for titles for translation, with the understanding that these will be reviewed through standard procedures. As to the funds, Scholastic has for over eighty years awarded millions of dollars in college scholarships to students through The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and encourages members of all communities to enter.
Reiterating, with the exception of the most fundamental items, namely the reinstatement of the Ancient Persia in the Ancient Civilization chapter, there were no coherent promises on the other items. However, after having worked closely with Scholastic, Inc., we feel sufficiently comfortable to conclude they will indeed take submissions of writings and art works in their national competitions and will consider books by Iranian-Americans seriously. Accordingly, we have now posted a new petition in place of the previous one in the anticipation of endorsement by the members of the community for closer cooperation with, and support of Scholastic, Inc. Furthermore, we encourage second and third generation American youth in our community of nearly a million strong to submit their writings and/or artistic expressions to Scholastic, Inc. at http://www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/index.htm
The staunch community reaction on this matter is indeed duly noted, as the number of such so called oversights and omissions of anything PERSIAN has dramatically increased in the west. Iranians worldwide, especially the three million in Diaspora, outside their motherland, have become ever increasingly vigilant in scrutinizing the media and scholarly circles to ensure that their historical heritage is represented in an objective manner. Notwithstanding the current political system of government in their native land, Iranian-Americans from all walks of life with very diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, that have their roots deep in history, consider themselves guardians, in line with Cyruss the Great Declaration of Human Rights (circa 500 B.C.E.), of their cultural, historical and geographical heritage. Although a sporadic number of Iranians have emigrated to the U.S. since the 19th century, it is only the mass exodus post 1979 revolution in Iran, which has led to over three million Iranians abroad. The nearly one million Americans of Iranian/Persian ancestry are amongst the most affluent and most educated recent Americans according to the U.S. Census, who are substantively contributing in all walks of life, including business, academia, arts, government and the non-for-profit realms.
And the proposed petition
Scholastic, Inc. Reinstates Ancient Persia (Iran) in the Ancient Civilization Section of its The New Book of Knowledge
Whereas Scholastic, Inc. acknowledges that the article Ancient Civilizations in the 2005 New Book of Knowledge would be better served by inclusion of more information on Ancient Persia, in addition to the existing coverage of that topic in the article Persia in Volume P,
and, whereas Scholastic has now pledged to enhance its coverage of Ancient Persia in its Ancient Civilization chapter, and its pictorial timeline and map in the 2006 edition of The New Book of Knowledge and subsequent editions,
and, whereas, Scholastic has reaffirmed its commitment to the one million Americans of Persian/Iranian ancestry by confirming their respect for the Iranian/Persian community and recognizing the historical importance of the Ancient Persia and its contribution to civilization,
and, whereas Scholastic has encouraged the Persian/Iranian Community to submit writings and books, and artistic works for their annual competitions and/or publications,
Be it henceforth Resolved that while the Persian/Iranian Community remains appreciative of the above development and restates its collective support to patronize Scholastic, Inc. products, it, nonetheless, will remain vigilant with respect to Scholastic, Inc., as well as any other media, to ensure that the historical contributions of their Iranian ancestors be objectively represented.
Respectfully submitted,
Professor David N. Rahni-- Dean Marzie Jafari-- Johanna Sterbin, Esq.
Professor David N. Rahni reports
Note-(You may sign the new petition on bottom herein)
In response to concerns expressed by the academic, scholarly and Iranian communities worldwide, the majority of which were from the U.S., Scholastic, Inc. has revised the article Ancient Civilizations in its 2006 twenty volume, The New Book of Knowledge so as to ensure that the Ancient Persia (Iran) is included both in its text, its chronological pictorial Timeline and map, in addition to the existing coverage under Persia in Volume P. This outcome is the result of a dialogue between a few community leaders, and Scholastic, Inc. representatives.
Based on a Petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/071056/petition.html ) sponsored by The Global Concerned Scholars on SCHOLASTIC Conduct, relating to the matter of the lack of inclusion of the Ancient Persia, endorsed by several thousands, and having received a significant number of protest letter and phone calls, not only from Americans of Iranian/Persian heritage, but also American and European Scholars, David N. Rahni and Marzie Jafari representing the community, articulated the communitys concerns to Scholastic, Inc. A request was made for the company to provide for the reinclusion of the Ancient Persia in the Ancient Civilization chapter and its Timeline and map, the development and distribution of a 2-4 page insert documentation on the Ancient Persia that could be distributed to all those institutions and individuals who purchased the Book of Knowledge and/or its supplements in 2005, and a request for information about scholarship opportunities offered by Scholastic, as well as how to present Persian story books to be considered for their distribution list. Although the Scholastic, Inc. response to the first item above was decisively positive and supportive, no specific commitment was made on the latter demands. Scholastic expressed great respect for the Iranian/Persian community, recognizing the historical importance of the Ancient Persia and its contribution to civilization. Scholastic acknowledged that the Persian-American Community could submit their list of books already available in the market to be reviewed by Scholastic for possible inclusion in future distribution lists and could submit recommendations to Scholastic for titles for translation, with the understanding that these will be reviewed through standard procedures. As to the funds, Scholastic has for over eighty years awarded millions of dollars in college scholarships to students through The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and encourages members of all communities to enter.
Reiterating, with the exception of the most fundamental items, namely the reinstatement of the Ancient Persia in the Ancient Civilization chapter, there were no coherent promises on the other items. However, after having worked closely with Scholastic, Inc., we feel sufficiently comfortable to conclude they will indeed take submissions of writings and art works in their national competitions and will consider books by Iranian-Americans seriously. Accordingly, we have now posted a new petition in place of the previous one in the anticipation of endorsement by the members of the community for closer cooperation with, and support of Scholastic, Inc. Furthermore, we encourage second and third generation American youth in our community of nearly a million strong to submit their writings and/or artistic expressions to Scholastic, Inc. at http://www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/index.htm
The staunch community reaction on this matter is indeed duly noted, as the number of such so called oversights and omissions of anything PERSIAN has dramatically increased in the west. Iranians worldwide, especially the three million in Diaspora, outside their motherland, have become ever increasingly vigilant in scrutinizing the media and scholarly circles to ensure that their historical heritage is represented in an objective manner. Notwithstanding the current political system of government in their native land, Iranian-Americans from all walks of life with very diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, that have their roots deep in history, consider themselves guardians, in line with Cyruss the Great Declaration of Human Rights (circa 500 B.C.E.), of their cultural, historical and geographical heritage. Although a sporadic number of Iranians have emigrated to the U.S. since the 19th century, it is only the mass exodus post 1979 revolution in Iran, which has led to over three million Iranians abroad. The nearly one million Americans of Iranian/Persian ancestry are amongst the most affluent and most educated recent Americans according to the U.S. Census, who are substantively contributing in all walks of life, including business, academia, arts, government and the non-for-profit realms.
And the proposed petition
Scholastic, Inc. Reinstates Ancient Persia (Iran) in the Ancient Civilization Section of its The New Book of Knowledge
Whereas Scholastic, Inc. acknowledges that the article Ancient Civilizations in the 2005 New Book of Knowledge would be better served by inclusion of more information on Ancient Persia, in addition to the existing coverage of that topic in the article Persia in Volume P,
and, whereas Scholastic has now pledged to enhance its coverage of Ancient Persia in its Ancient Civilization chapter, and its pictorial timeline and map in the 2006 edition of The New Book of Knowledge and subsequent editions,
and, whereas, Scholastic has reaffirmed its commitment to the one million Americans of Persian/Iranian ancestry by confirming their respect for the Iranian/Persian community and recognizing the historical importance of the Ancient Persia and its contribution to civilization,
and, whereas Scholastic has encouraged the Persian/Iranian Community to submit writings and books, and artistic works for their annual competitions and/or publications,
Be it henceforth Resolved that while the Persian/Iranian Community remains appreciative of the above development and restates its collective support to patronize Scholastic, Inc. products, it, nonetheless, will remain vigilant with respect to Scholastic, Inc., as well as any other media, to ensure that the historical contributions of their Iranian ancestors be objectively represented.
Respectfully submitted,
Professor David N. Rahni-- Dean Marzie Jafari-- Johanna Sterbin, Esq.
79 Signatures
-
David Rahni
- Proferssional Position
- Professor and Scholar
- City, Country
- New York, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- The bold step by Scholastic and their 85 years of stellar service deserves every support. Kudos!
-
Annie Shebanow
- Proferssional Position
- CEO Halcyon Authors Lobby, Inc.
- City, Country
- Saratoga, CA. U.S.A.
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Hamid
- Proferssional Position
- Engineer
- City, Country
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Shahrzad Khorsandi
- Proferssional Position
- Choreographer/Dancer
- City, Country
- Berkeley, CA USA
- COMMENTS
- Let's not even begin to modify or rewrite history for the sake of convenience, or anything else for that matter!
-
Koorosh Angali
- Proferssional Position
- Educator/Artist
- City, Country
- Oakland, CA, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- A commendable measure!
-
James S. Irani
- Proferssional Position
- Attorney
- City, Country
- New York, New York
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to Prof. Rahni and his associates for undertaking such an important task as well as to Scholatic to having realized the depth of their oversight in this very vital issue to the Iranian/Persian people.
-
Fuad Adib, Ph.D.
- Proferssional Position
- Consulting Engineer
- City, Country
- New York, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- The Greko-Roman bias should be removed from all Scholastic children educational material
-
David O. Rahni
- Proferssional Position
- student
- City, Country
- New York, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Reza Delghavi
- Proferssional Position
- Brooklyn,New York, D.O.T.Borough Planner
- City, Country
- New York, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- Persian civilization was one of the corner stones in the human civilization development and state evolution.
-
Abbas
- Proferssional Position
- Managing Editor
- City, Country
- NY
-
Bobbby
- Proferssional Position
- Student
- City, Country
- Baldwin Place
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Anis Moin
- Proferssional Position
- singer
- City, Country
- sweden
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Moji Agha (Mojtaba Aghamohammadi)
- Proferssional Position
- University Faculty
- City, Country
- Tucson, Arizona
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- Shame on those who promote violence, racism, and ignorance, especially FOR PROFIT, and especially in the name of "American Civilization."
-
B. Robert Harand
- Proferssional Position
- Businessman
- City, Country
- Upper Granview, NY
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Reza Rahni
- Proferssional Position
- Software engineer
- City, Country
- New York, NY
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Hormoz Mogharei
- Proferssional Position
- Mfg., Mgr.
- City, Country
- Hayward, CA, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Professor Pirouz Azadi
- Proferssional Position
- Professor, philosopher, historian
- City, Country
- Mew York USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- As the author of the first petition with 2300 signatures thus far, that raised Scholastics neglect of Ancient Persia, I now appreciative and fully supportive of Professor Rahni et als initiatives to give Scholastic one giant chance to prove that it remain purely an academic and scholarly corporation. So, please support Scholastic-thank YOU!
-
Mehran Mozaffari
- Proferssional Position
- Software Architecture
- City, Country
- Somerville, NJ, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Shahin Foroutan
- Proferssional Position
- Systems Analyst
- City, Country
- Chevy Chase, MD USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
JIM GHORBANI
- Proferssional Position
- RETIRED, IT EXECUTIVE
- City, Country
- CHICAGO, IL
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- ANCIENT HISTORY OF PERSIA CONTRIBUTES TO HOW HUMAN CIVILIZATION EVOLVED
-
Omid
- Proferssional Position
- Eng.
- City, Country
- Amsterdam (NL)
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- this information is to important to be left out
-
Bijan Afsarifard
- Proferssional Position
- President of an investment Co.
- City, Country
- Atherton,US.
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- Will not buy books from them.
-
Jahanshah Javid
- Proferssional Position
- Publisher, iranian.com
- City, Country
- Albany, California
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Mehdi Salimi, DVM, MS
- Proferssional Position
- Professor
- City, Country
- Wayne, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Kiandokht Saidi, MD
- Proferssional Position
- Gynecologist
- City, Country
- Montreal, Canada
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Sima Salimi, DDS
- Proferssional Position
- Dentist
- City, Country
- San Francisco, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Behzad
- Proferssional Position
- Research Scientist
- City, Country
- San Francisco
- COMMENTS
- Thank you
-
Babak Salimi
- Proferssional Position
- Engineer
- City, Country
- San Francisco, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
John Saidi
- Proferssional Position
- Engineer
- City, Country
- Danville, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Maryam Oskoui, MD
- Proferssional Position
- Post Doct. Fellow
- City, Country
- New York, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Alan Martin
- Proferssional Position
- Technician
- City, Country
- CA, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- Persian Civilization Will Live For Ever!
-
seyd Hessam
- Proferssional Position
- student
- City, Country
- Washington, dc
-
Majid Baradar
- Proferssional Position
- Professional Seismic Engineering Consultant , Author
- City, Country
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA
-
Farhad Nikkhah
- Proferssional Position
- Management ConsultNT
- City, Country
- London, England
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Ali kimiai
- Proferssional Position
- Merchant
- City, Country
- Bellevue,WA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Khorosh
- Proferssional Position
- architect
- City, Country
- irvine
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- our kingdom shall rise again as soon as the religion is crushed!
-
Shahla Samii
- Proferssional Position
- freelance writer
- City, Country
- New York - USA
-
Papak Shirazi
- Proferssional Position
- Graduate Student/Music
- City, Country
- United States
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- http://www.download.com/papakshirazi
-
maziar
- Proferssional Position
- Medical doctor
- City, Country
- Jacksonville, FL
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Danial Mokari
- Proferssional Position
- Graduate Student
- City, Country
- Oklahoma
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Azita Azadi
- Proferssional Position
- President, Beyond The Box
- City, Country
- Naples, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
B
- Proferssional Position
- Engineer
- City, Country
- CA, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
- COMMENTS
- Discrimination against once one of the greatest civilizations of the world, Ancient Persia, the origin of the first declaration of human rights by one of the greatest emperors of all time - Cyrus The Great, is equivalent to the genocide of its nation!
-
Michael Bolourian
- Proferssional Position
- Banker
- City, Country
- Washington, DC
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Nader Hafezi
- Proferssional Position
- Management
- City, Country
- London, UK
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Bijan Karimian
- Proferssional Position
- Finance
- City, Country
- New York, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Roya Sedighian
- Proferssional Position
- I/T Specialist
- City, Country
- New York, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Mohammad Naraghi
- Proferssional Position
- Professor
- City, Country
- New York, USA
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
Shahryar Ghavami
- Proferssional Position
- IT specialist
- City, Country
- Vancouver, B.C. Canada
-
Aryamanesh
- Proferssional Position
- Doctor
- City, Country
- Paris, France
-
Ali Masoudi
- Proferssional Position
- College Student
- City, Country
- Seattle, Washington
- Are You SCHOLASTIC Book User/Subscriber?
- No
-
79
Signatures! - View Signatures
- Sign Petition