I have strong beliefs on a lot of social issues. I tend not to talk about them much, unless I'm in like-minded company. Without a doubt, I have a fear of being judged. Actually, I can talk about social issues with complete strangers, but doing that with people I know is the scary part. I cried once (tears streaming down my face crying) trying to convince a family member that students from low-income families are not given the same educational opportunities as their wealthier counterparts (something I spent an entire graduate career studying). Clearly, I'm overly sensitive. Anyway, I wasn't a parent then, so I just figured it was probably not a good idea to get into these types of discussions with people I happen to care about.
Then, I became a parent and quickly realized that I will fight like hell (there is no other way to say it) for my children. Part of my responsibility to our girls is to create a world where zip codes, gender, race and sexual preference won't determine the type of opportunities available to them or anyone else. I hope by raising compassionate children, we will contribute a little bit to making the world a nicer place, but is that enough? Shouldn't I be willing to fight for other people's children just as much as my own? I think I did that to some extent as a teacher and student. I'm no longer either of those, so this is my forum. For now, this is what I want to say:
1. I respect your beliefs (religious or not). Live by the teachings you believe in, but please don't force those beliefs on other people if it is going to cause them physical and/or emotional pain.
ex: Let people who love each other, love each other. Giving all couples and families rights isn't going to make your life any worse. An accepting heart might just make you happier.
2. Educational opportunities in America are not the same for everyone.
ex: I watched high school seniors realize they didn't have enough credits to go to a 4 year college days before graduation. No one expected them to further their education. I will never forget the day I let a student use my computer to sign up for the SAT. He looked up at me after a little while and asked, "Mrs. Soric, What is the SAT?"
Please think twice before you assume that kids from low-income families wasted the opportunities that were given to them. The cycle of poverty is real and it's a problem that only we can fix. Fairly allocating resources won't hurt your children. Give up a book or two, you'll still have a library. The problem is bigger than a few books, but you get my point. . .I hope.
I don't know a lot about a lot, so feel free to school me on anything you want. I welcome discussion and opinions, but don't be surprised if I don't back down on these issues. I had a friend post a facebook status that read: "If you're going to vote for Obama, unfriend me. I don't want to be surrounded by ignorant people." I've never made my political preference public knowledge, although it's probably not difficult to figure out what side I favor. I didn't unfriend this person, but they can feel free to take that step if they really want to contribute to intolerance.
This is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way- talking about "issues" with loved ones is a fast track to tears.
"Fairly allocating resources" means I give up some of what I work for and give "by mandate of the government" to someone who has not worked for it.(by virtue of the fact that they do not want to work or can not work, it does not matter) It does not allow me the opportunity to give it charitably or give it out of my compassion, concern or understanding. Americans are very giving and charitable people. I am (or will be) told where and when and how much to give. Also, there is less and less incentive for anyone to work if we continue all the government "entitlement programs". There is no need to work and therefore no incentive to go out and look for work if it is easier and more lucrative to stay home and collect a "government" handout or paycheck. Especially when the minimum wage is so low and the work one has to do for that wage is not very attractive or very pleasant at times. This has nothing to with the level of one's education or economic background. It has to do with self dignity and self worth and contribution to society. If one has pride in one self and pride in the ownership of his accomplishments then he will take pride in his family and his surroundings. One gains pride in accomplishments by "doing" not "taking". It's about the work and the reward. It's what God set out in the beginning. He had rules and we followed them. There are rewards for hard work. You sow and you will reap. You take care of the poor and needy. You do it by choice and by faith, not by edict. The government does not need to tell us to do it. They think they need to tell us because we are too stupid to figure it out for ourselves. We have been doing it all along. This government just wants to make you think that you can't think for yourself.
ReplyDeleteHere is where you and I happen to disagree. This is an institutionalized problem. It has everything to do with education and economic background. The educational system is set up so some kids fail. There have to be the "have-nots" in order to protect the "haves". I'm not against a capitalist society, but the gap between the top and the bottom doesn't have to be so large. Since I worked in a school full of children living in poverty, it seems that I might know a little bit about their parents, pride, work ethic, etc. I'd like you to explain to me how a child who goes to a school that has few supplies, no support staff, failing heat, toilets without seats, sinks without soap and rat droppings on their desk gain self worth. A single teacher can't change that child's entire future. I have the honor of knowing amazing parents who are doing the absolute best for their children, but they don't know better because no one ever cared enough to teach them.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I learned something very valuable a few years back. Who am I to deserve everything I have? I just happened to be born into a community with a good school system and had parents who were financially stable. What did I do? I am not entitled to anything that I have. It's embarrassing, actually. Sure, I could have wasted the opportunities, but that's the point. I had opportunities.