Next Tuesday President Obama will give an address to all of the students in the United States. We will not show it. It seems a handful of parents are afraid the President will "force his agenda" on their children. Where does all of this fear and hate come from?
The following text is a White House Press release on that agenda titled "My Education- My Future.
"At noon on Tuesday, September 8th the President will be welcoming America’s students back to school – after all, sometimes they need a little extra motivation after a glorious summer. The President has spoken often about the responsibility parents have for their children and their education, but in this message he’ll urge students to take personal responsibility for their own education, to set goals, and to not only stay in school but make the most of it."
Sounds like strong family values to me.
Directing that we many not show our nation's President does not represent a neutral act on the part of the district. This action implies that the President is too controversial to be shown in school. I wonder what makes this address a problem for those who object. Is it the President's politics; is it the President's race; is it about respect for the government; is it something else?
After staff protests our school leaders conceded that we may show the address to students three days late provided we send a letter home informing parents, collect a signed permission slip, offer alternative assignments for students who opt out and detail how it is germane to our curriculum. This is the same procedure we would follow to show an R-rated movie to 6th grade students.
I would title my school districts actions today as "My Education-My Future-My Ass"
There is something acutely wrong with a nation that doesn't trust its President to speak to school children. People on the right and left need wake up and smell the dysfunction. What a sad day for us all. What a horrible message we send to our next generation, when we refuse to listen to others.
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