Rant

I have been just sick reading posts on the foreign language listserv to which I subscribe. The vast majority are reporting that their school districts are forbidding or greatly restricting their students from watching President Obama's speech to schoolchildren tomorrow. Yes, I am an Obama supporter, but I would be having the same feelings if Rush Lumbaugh were in office.

How on earth did this country arrive at a spot where parents and/or school administrators think it is bad for children to hear a possibly different point of view? Isn't learning about different ideas and then making an educated decision on one's own viewpoint the basis of education?

I am reminded of an 8th grade girl who was a representative when my friend Barb and I were student council sponsors back in the early 70's. Barb and I were trying to get the kids to tell us their opinions on some societal issue and were getting nowhere with the conversation. Finally an articulate young woman said, "Well, you know that at our ages we just believe what our parents believe." That was a powerful and very true statement.

What a wonderful opportunity listening to the President can provide to parents of both liberal and conservative persuasions! Dinner time conversation after the speech provides parents with the opportunity to declare if they agree or disagree with what was said...and why. Children are presented with an opportunity to hear their parents clearly articulate their beliefs and, being young, they are most likely "going to believe what our parents believe." because they love and respect what their parents stand for. Parents also have the huge opportunity to show respect for the office of president even if they don't agree with his stand on certain issues.

Unfortunately, we seem to be at a place where letting our children possibly hear a controversial point of view is frightening. (And how controversial is talking about working hard in school?) How sad for those children. How sad for all of us.


And this, dear folks, is what the controversy is all about! Unbelievable!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/