Posts by Saloma Furlong
Stories by and about Former Amish “Stars”
In a culture full of Amish novels and bogus reality television about Amish youth “breaking out,” it is often disheartening to those of us former Amish to see what “sells” in the media. Some of us have well-written stories to share with the world, yet we keep getting rejections from mainstream publishers. Meanwhile, writers of…
Read MoreLanguage and Thought
Does language influence thought or do thoughts influence language? Or both? These are questions I had debated in a linguistics class at Smith College several years ago. Now these questions come to mind again because of the young woman living with us who is adjusting to the English world. And in this case I mean…
Read MoreThanksgiving Memories
Before I write my post for today, I want to let those of you who read the first part of Henry Troyer’s story about his educational journey that the second part of his story has been posted to the Amish Descendent Scholarship Fund blog. It is worth the time to read this compelling story. What…
Read MoreFrom a Farm Boy to the Outer Limits of a University Education — Meet Henry Troyer
Because of the publicity that I’ve received for both my memoir and the PBS American Experience film “The Amish” that I was featured in, I occasionally receive emails from people who have read or heard my story and want to let me know how they’ve related to it. Very often these people have an Amish…
Read MoreNovember Transitions
Thirty-five years ago tonight my life changed irrevocably. At this time of the night that many years ago, I had just donned my first “English” clothes, had the first haircut in my life; and I was about to be driven to the train station to take a night train out of Cleveland. Thirty-two years ago…
Read MoreThe Amish Descendent Scholarship Fund
Lately I’ve been realizing that it is time to reach out to others who are embarking on the journey of leaving the Amish, which I made more than thirty years ago. I am especially moved to do so when a young woman, who just left her very strict community, stepped into my life. The gap…
Read MoreThe Ramifications of Wisconsin v. Yoder, Conclusion
This is the conclusion of my paper The Ramifications of Wisconsin v. Yoder. I have bolded the compelling arguments, as before. If the Supreme Court had required the Amish to educate their children through tenth grade, the Amish may have found a creative way of integrating this education into their communities, rather than send their…
Read MoreThe Ramifications of Wisconsin v. Yoder, Part 4
Here is another segment of my paper. I have put in bold the arguments I find the most compelling. Professor Joel Feinberg assessed this case. Like Justice Heffernan, he understood the intricacies involved. First he acknowledged the case for the exemption: The case for the exemption was a strong one. The Amish sincerity is beyond…
Read MoreThe Ramifications of Wisconsin v. Yoder, Part 3
Professor Feinberg pointed out that American courts have long held that the state has a “sovereign power of guardianship” over minors, which confers upon it the right, or perhaps even the duty, to look after the interests of those who are incapable of protecting themselves. After all, compulsory education laws are designed to end child…
Read MoreThe Ramifications of Wisconsin v. Yoder, Part 2
Below is part two of my paper about the Wisconsin v. Yoder case. I’ve highlighted in bold those arguments I find most compelling. Oddly, it is the parents’ religious freedom Justice Hallows is aiming to protect, but the youth, who cannot speak for themselves, are left without advocates for protection of their religious (and educational)…
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