Protesting-What Are We Fighting About Anyway-2018

By:
On:
In: Family and Friends, School Stories
With: 0 Comments

As an American Government and History teacher for 30 years, I always encouraged my students to get involved on which ever side of the issue they supported. I also always asked them what is your goal any time you protest? What do you hope to accomplish?

That being said, I have read more and seen more about possible punishment for students walking out of school on March 14 than I have about why they actually are protesting. What exact gun changes do they want? What safety measures? What will actually solve the problems? I also always told them that a protest will be much more respected if you have to miss something you like rather than something you dislike! I would respect the protests here more if they were on a Saturday rather than walking out of school and making it more of an issue than the actual issue being protested! You’d also cut out the people who just walk out because they hate school or just because they want to screw around. Those people will be shown on the news and reported about and your message will be lost! What is your actual goal? If you really want to change, you have to keep your message clear and in the forefront, otherwise you just lost a day of school that could have helped you have a better life!

Again, that being said, just seeing students connecting to their government is a good thing. If I were still the government teacher I’d try to organize this march as a school sanctioned event and make it a hands on field trip with permission forms and no punishment. This would take out the distraction of missing school and let students stay on message for both sides. By the way, I’d let pro gun students speak too! That is what true democracy is! Hear both sides and then you decide who has the beat arguments!

Finally, every right and left wing organization is going to try to co-opt this event. If you are a parent with an agenda, get out of the way. Leave it to the kids whether they go down the same path you would or not. Let them make this about what they choose and let there message be heard. If they are punished for walking out of school, let them take the pain. Freedom isn’t free and if you are going to break rules to make your point you have to be ready to sacrifice. If it doesn’t cost you anything, you will never understand the true value of fighting for what you believe. Our kids are hurting right now. Let them fight their own fight and maybe they will find a better road.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *