I'm more than a little annoyed with people griping over the president addressing our kids tomorrow. This comment from a blog reveals the kind of ignorance that makes me wonder if this country has a chance to reach the 22nd century: "if church and state are to be separate so should politics and school."
That's right - no more history classes, no more politics in America, no more social studies, no more citizenship classes. Teach our kids to distrust the president and liken him to Hitler programming his Youth (no kidding - I have heard this comparison). I am here to tell you that this approach will not foster a stronger nation. Keeping kids from discussing the very issues that will affect their future is rather like keeping them in a bubble, insulated and powerless. (Incidentally, the people whining about Obama talking to our kids are the same ones who complain that parents aren't taking enough responsibility these days, and that kids are coddled and not encouraged to think for themselves. Does anyone else see the irony here?) The transcript will be up today, for pity's sake. READ THE DAMN THING if you're so frightened of it, and then talk to your kids!
Believe me, I have my issues with President Obama, but he is our president and he is trying to do what is best for this country. Let's at least try to help him by educating our children, rather than teaching them the hallmarks of the last administration: mistrust and ignorance. I have a feeling that if George W. Bush had wanted to address our school children, the same people blustering about Obama's socialist-fascist-regime-machine would have been just fine letting W talk to our kids about WMDs in Iraq and the need for vigilant mistrust in a war on terror.
Obama's speech is meant to inspire our kids to stay in school and work hard for the future of this country. America has gotten fat and lazy. Hell we don't even remember why Labor Day was created - not to have end of summer BBQs and chill out with a beer in the hammock, but to remind us that the vacation season is over and it's time to get back to work. I'm teaching college freshmen who cannot write a paragraph and whose reading level is below that of a 9th grader. Come on, people, wake up! We have a problem right here in River City and its full name is Ignorance Sloth Apathy. If our president is taking time out of his busy schedule to inspire our youth to take their education seriously, I think the least we can do for our kids is try to support that message, even if we disagree with other areas of his policy and politics.
For those who feel strongly that Obama is out to brainwash our kids, you might be interested to know that indoctrination usually doesn't work if it's an optional program. Schools are not required to air Obama's speech. So that teachers who are already bursting at the seams don't have to run around the day before with a transcript to create a new lesson plan, talking points will accompany this speech, which again teachers are free to use, amend, or ignore. This is not an episode of Doctor Who, people. These children are not being programmed, used as talking pieces for an invading alien force, or brainwashed into being Democrats. And by the way, Obama isn't the only president to address America's children. Presidents Reagan and Bush both addressed our nation's youth during their terms in the Oval Office.
Once upon a time, there was a certain respect afforded the office of President of the United States. If the man in the chair proved himself unworthy of that respect, the nation reacted accordingly. This man is trying to inspire us and fix what's wrong. He has done nothing wrong, nothing illegal, immoral or otherwise earning this kind of mistrust. You might not agree with his methods or his politics, but to liken him to Hitler is, to my mind, un-American. Who needs terrorists to split us apart when we're doing the job ourselves by teaching our kids to mistrust the president who we elected into office, thereby subverting the American democracy that everyone claims to hold dear?
White House site with info on the Obama's speech to students.
2 comments:
VERY well said! From a supportive educator.
President Reagan and President Bush (Senior) both addressed schoolchildren, and both spoke about their policies; Reagan even talked about how lower taxes were the key to saving the economy. If that was allowed, why would anyone have an objection to a president who got one of the largest popular votes in recent history to go on the air and urge schoolchildren to work hard? What's the alternative? Parents wanting their children to slack off? Is that what they are promoting?
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