Denver Area Students Walk Out Of School In Protest
Today on the Rush Limbaugh radio program I learned of a story from the Associated Press where students from several high schools walked out of class in protest to a new "conservative-led" school board proposal. The School board of the second largest school district in Colorado proposed that history based education materials paint a positive picture of America. They say a committee should be appointed to regularly review materials to make sure they "promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of a free-market system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights" and don't "encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife, or disregard of the law."
The protest against this proposal was organized by word of mouth and social media. Students believe that what they learn should not be censored and held signs reading "there is nothing more patriotic than protest." There have undoubtedly been some dark days in American History. Protesters believe these dark periods need to be taught and heard so we can learn from them.
One of the board members conceded saying, "there are things we may not be proud of as Americans," but justified her view by adding, "we shouldn't be encouraging our kids to think that America is a bad place."
Rush Limbaugh argues that he remembers a time in which it was implied that the truth about our history, patriotism and being proud of our country would be taught. His reaction to the story was that kids are rejecting the teachings of capitalism and a free-market system and "that you would teach the benefits of the free market system, which is how every one of you little skulls full of mush is gonna make something of yourself someday. The free market system is where they hand out chances for success, by the way. There isn't a socialist system out there that hands out chances for success unless you happen to be one of the precious very few in leadership positions in socialism, and they don't pass out chances for success."
He was quick to judge that kids would rather learn about socialism and protest than how to be successful. I don't buy that. I would agree that most of them want to be successful in life but might be unsure how to accomplish that as I was at that age. My personal belief is that the free-market system and capitalism is the best avenue for success both on a personal and group level. I would also agree that for some, it was just a way to get out of class. As one student put it while running through the halls, "the protest is still on," and many students got up out of their seats and followed.
These kids have every right to protest but I wouldn't go as far as saying that protest has made America great and built it to what we have become today as some of the students argued. After all, it is a little hard to take some of them serious when they are holding a sign that reads "civil disobedience IS patriotism." To me, there is nothing patriotic about not being civil or not being good citizen of a neighborhood, town, state or country. It is hard for me to see why anyone wouldn't want to teach our young people that it is important to be a good citizen.
For now, the proposal is on hold. Ken Witt, the board president, said that, "some of its proposed language about not promoting “civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law” might be cut. “A lot of those words were more specific and more pointed than they have to be.” I say leave the verbiage in. Though protest is allowed, there is a right and civil way to go about it. I happen to believe that America is great. Students deserve to hear all important aspects of our nation's history and we have an obligation to teach them the importance of having civility.
I support the school board's desire to "promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of a free-market system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights."
The protest against this proposal was organized by word of mouth and social media. Students believe that what they learn should not be censored and held signs reading "there is nothing more patriotic than protest." There have undoubtedly been some dark days in American History. Protesters believe these dark periods need to be taught and heard so we can learn from them.
One of the board members conceded saying, "there are things we may not be proud of as Americans," but justified her view by adding, "we shouldn't be encouraging our kids to think that America is a bad place."
Rush Limbaugh argues that he remembers a time in which it was implied that the truth about our history, patriotism and being proud of our country would be taught. His reaction to the story was that kids are rejecting the teachings of capitalism and a free-market system and "that you would teach the benefits of the free market system, which is how every one of you little skulls full of mush is gonna make something of yourself someday. The free market system is where they hand out chances for success, by the way. There isn't a socialist system out there that hands out chances for success unless you happen to be one of the precious very few in leadership positions in socialism, and they don't pass out chances for success."
He was quick to judge that kids would rather learn about socialism and protest than how to be successful. I don't buy that. I would agree that most of them want to be successful in life but might be unsure how to accomplish that as I was at that age. My personal belief is that the free-market system and capitalism is the best avenue for success both on a personal and group level. I would also agree that for some, it was just a way to get out of class. As one student put it while running through the halls, "the protest is still on," and many students got up out of their seats and followed.
These kids have every right to protest but I wouldn't go as far as saying that protest has made America great and built it to what we have become today as some of the students argued. After all, it is a little hard to take some of them serious when they are holding a sign that reads "civil disobedience IS patriotism." To me, there is nothing patriotic about not being civil or not being good citizen of a neighborhood, town, state or country. It is hard for me to see why anyone wouldn't want to teach our young people that it is important to be a good citizen.
For now, the proposal is on hold. Ken Witt, the board president, said that, "some of its proposed language about not promoting “civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law” might be cut. “A lot of those words were more specific and more pointed than they have to be.” I say leave the verbiage in. Though protest is allowed, there is a right and civil way to go about it. I happen to believe that America is great. Students deserve to hear all important aspects of our nation's history and we have an obligation to teach them the importance of having civility.
I support the school board's desire to "promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of a free-market system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights."
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