I tell my students and players that a mistake is only a mistake if you don’t attempt to correct it and not to repeat it. So here I stand before you as the teacher who drew the “American’s for Elian” sign. Yes, you eagle-eyed readers, that is an apostrophe.

If you notice, however, it wasn’t colored. We had two pieces of poster board, which took some doing on our part to find in paper-scarce Cuba, and about 10 minutes to make two signs. I drew quickly, made an error and did not have another poster board or white-out to correct it. I could have made it into a flower or a heart when I realized my mistake, but I didn’t care, the reason for the sign was more important. I am willing to make my convictions known and stand up for what I believe is right and just; a lesson I want all my students to take out into the world.

Please don’t make my inadvertent apostrophe an object like Elian has become to many, but instead show some understanding and ask why Elian must stay while Little Havana and misguided politicians ignore his half-brother, cousin and friends who are here. No matter what your political view is, a child should be nurtured by a loving, nonabusive, caring, natural parent if one exists. I do not agree with what Castro stands for, but neither do a lot of Cubans. More importantly, I definitely do not agree with American politicians and citizens who take a holier than thou approach to the world, each other and a poor child. Speak out, for the United States was founded for the people. John Michalowski Jr. Social studies teacher Presque Isle