We should thank Whoopi Goldberg and the other dilettantes of “The View.” They have presented high school educators, especially English and history teachers, with an unparalleled opportunity to challenge students with an assignment that could not only educate the ladies of this popular TV show, but also might reach the millions of viewers who watch the show. Now is the time to generate an experience that would not only challenge a misguided view of the Shoah, but also increase student understanding of the Holocaust.

Every student in these classes would be asked to write a letter to Goldberg and the ladies of “The View.” Each letter should not merely offer an opinion but also a factual argument that would show just how wrong and how dangerous was Goldberg’s take on the Holocaust, and the lack of a strong response by the other women of “The View.” Each student should make a case against the fallacious nature of Goldberg’s words. The letters would be graded for content, accuracy and rationale.

It should also be made clear that these are young Jewish teens who were personally insulted by the hosts of “The View.” The lack of preparation, the embarrassing paucity of knowledge and the apology do not correct the severity of the issue. Many of the students writing these letters may have lost ancestors who were considered racially inferior to the Nazis.

Teachers, if you want to really educate students, it is not enough to merely present them with facts, but to get them to internalize and process what they learn. Do not allow celebrities with inflated perceptions of their knowledge to disregard the sensitivities of the Jewish people.

Joel Glazer

Elizabeth