School situations handled differently in today’s environment
In a recent issue of the Southern Standard, Susan Newby and James Clark took different views about the problems in our school systems. I am not going back to rehash the things they said. But I think it’s sad when it appears all students are characterized by what a few do.
In reality when we judge all young people of today as being nothing but troublemakers, we are doing an injustice to some really awesome young people. I’m not saying Susan and James did this. However, so many times we need to consider what caused certain things to happen. I have heard of things that happened that might have started out as a joke, but the end result was extremely damaging and hurtful.
When I was in high school 50 years ago some of the biggest problems were: gum chewing, missing trash cans, speaking in class or out of turn, running in the hall, or making noises in class. Most likely there were a few more that, by today’s standards, appear insignificant. But anyone breaking such rules would most likely be sent to the principal’s office and introduced to his ‘board of education.’
First cousin Janell Golden Hawkins forwarded the following to me. There is much to think about therein. Janell and I are among more than 40 first cousins who were raised to be respectful for authority, especially school authority.
School: 1957 vs. 2007
Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1957 ‘ Vice principal comes over, looks at Jack’s shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2007 ‘ School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.
Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1957 ‘ Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2007 ‘ Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Scenario: Jeffrey won’t be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 ‘ Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the
principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 ‘ Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.
Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor’s car and his dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 ‘ Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 ‘ Billy’s dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy’s sister she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy’s mom has affair with psychologist.
Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 ‘ Mark shares aspirin with principal out on the smoking dock.
2007 ‘ Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.
1957 ‘ Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, and goes to college.
2007 ‘ Pedro’s cause is taken up by state. ACLU files class-action lawsuit against state school system and English banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given a diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1957 ‘ Ants die.
2007 ‘ ATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny’s dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 ‘ In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2007 ‘ Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces three years in state prison. Johnny undergoes five years of therapy.