In the months leading up to the birth of our son, we had created a list of names that we liked. Everyone in the family was able to add whatever name they thought deserved consideration. As we approached the big day I took the list and there, in the handwriting of my 8 year old son, were two options..."Barack" and "Obama." I asked him why he would include those names and he said that his teacher told him that, regardless of who they or their parents wanted to be president in the election...we should all be happy and thankful that Barack Obama was elected president.
The first thing I did was mark both names off the list. They weren't even open for consideration. The next thing I did was go back in my mind to the weeks leading up to the election. We had discussions about political policy...about what we wanted in a president and all agreed that, John McCain was clearly more in line with our family politically. On election night, I was distressed at the results. My kids understood that an Obama Whitehouse was not the ideal result. Somehow, though, in the last couple of months my kids mind has been turned around by a liberal teacher in a liberal state to embrace a liberal president. I'd prefer that political opinion is kept out of the classroom.
Lest I come across as an anti-Obama person...I'm not, I'm sure he is a decent guy and I'll do my best to support him as he makes some tough decisions as President. I'm not buying the anti-Obama t-shirts...nothing like that. But I don't like his politics.
2 comments:
Our public education system deserves and demands that both sides of any issue be taught. No matter what subject is under debate. If both sides can not be taught, then the topic should be left out of the classroom. However, how do you prevent a teacher's freedom to express their opinion? Even if they taught both sides, everyone has their thoughts on an issue. Indeed, it is difficult to prevent our kids from being swayed by other opinions that don't line up to ours.
On the other hand, I want my kids to be exposed to the thoughts and opinions of others, whether I agree or not. It just gives me the opportunity to explain to my kids my point of view and hope they follow in my ideologies throughout life. Without this practice, we stall future growth. It's that “what if” attitude that has created the universal knowledge we have today. Am I Liberal?
Although, you are correct. Politics and “religion” should be left out of the “public” school system if all doctrines are not taught equally.
Both sides of this issue apparently weren't taught and yes, I expect the teacher to teach the curriculum not their opinion. If if the teacher was a member of the Aryan nation? Would I want him teaching that people of color were inferior?
I agree that is ok to teach about political systems, but don't try to influence my kids on what is the correct political view. That's my job. I believe some of his politics are immoral...yes, immoral. And some of his policy ideas go contrary to what I believe was intended by the founding fathers.
Am I conservative? You bet your butt I am.
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