This is not an endorsement of a man, a party, nor an administration.
Truthfully, it is intended merely as an observation
in which I choose to see things in a positive light with a hopeful eye
rather than point fingers and assume the worst.
Truthfully, it is intended merely as an observation
in which I choose to see things in a positive light with a hopeful eye
rather than point fingers and assume the worst.
Our class sat to view the president's inaugural address on Friday. We streamed the broadcast through the White House website without commentary. Nine- and ten-year-olds are bored by all of the pomp and circumstance, but the transfer of authority from Barack Obama to Donald Trump was an important historical event nonetheless.
We did take the time to point out the Missouri connections, including Missouri's Senator Roy Blunt's introduction of Springfield's Missouri State University Chorale, and also his first introduction for the 45th president of the United States.
In President Trump's short address, he touched, briefly on education. For many, the speech and the president's nominee for education secretary (of whom I know too little to comment) have shot up red flags of hostility. I don't share that opinion at this point, choosing instead to look for a more optimistic point of view. I really try to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I need to extend that courtesy for our new president. For the record, this is that section of the speech:
We did take the time to point out the Missouri connections, including Missouri's Senator Roy Blunt's introduction of Springfield's Missouri State University Chorale, and also his first introduction for the 45th president of the United States.
In President Trump's short address, he touched, briefly on education. For many, the speech and the president's nominee for education secretary (of whom I know too little to comment) have shot up red flags of hostility. I don't share that opinion at this point, choosing instead to look for a more optimistic point of view. I really try to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I need to extend that courtesy for our new president. For the record, this is that section of the speech:
Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families, and good jobs for themselves. These are the just and reasonable demands of a righteous public.
But for too many of our citizens, a different reality exists: Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.
This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.
We are one nation -- and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams; and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny.
President Trump often uses blunt hyperbole, a tool used in language to make a point. We often place hyperbole in the same category with figurative language (metaphors, similes, personification, et al). For this reason, I don't take the president's speech literally, but would rather look for the point he tried to make - from his point of view.
This is a character study. Who is Donald John Trump? How does he use language? What are his consistencies? Through what lens does he view the education process?
This is a character study. Who is Donald John Trump? How does he use language? What are his consistencies? Through what lens does he view the education process?
Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families, and good jobs for themselves. These are the just and reasonable demands of a righteous public.
True. Here is a statement of need. It appears to be a foundational comment. Is there anything we don't agree with here? Do I want something less for my children or my community? Do I want something different for my country?
Someone who does not seek righteousness, or right things, might take umbrage with the last sentence, but I see it as observing that we are generally a righteous people.
Someone who does not seek righteousness, or right things, might take umbrage with the last sentence, but I see it as observing that we are generally a righteous people.
But for too many of our citizens, a different reality exists: Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.
For such a short paragraph, here are some complicated words. Yes, our inner cities experience a different culture than we experience (mostly) in our own fair city. Again, this is a statement of observation.
But in the next words, our new president's point of view is being interpreted in different ways by different people. Someone in the education world takes these words personally, that we are "an education system flush with cash". I could easily see that, as the tip of the spear, I am not paid comparatively with people who chose other professions. I realize that I am not at the top of the food chain (Read: in the top 1%). It is obvious that the cash does not all trickle into our classrooms for the benefit of young people.
But in the next words, our new president's point of view is being interpreted in different ways by different people. Someone in the education world takes these words personally, that we are "an education system flush with cash". I could easily see that, as the tip of the spear, I am not paid comparatively with people who chose other professions. I realize that I am not at the top of the food chain (Read: in the top 1%). It is obvious that the cash does not all trickle into our classrooms for the benefit of young people.
| I believe, considering President Trump's opinion and point of view, that he is not talking about me, the teacher. Instead, I see him speaking in generalities about the federal government's involvement with our educational system. Indeed, federal monies are more-often-than-not earmarked for specific programs and mandates - often programs and mandates, and the ways in which they are interpreted and implemented, that are ineffective to say the least. Could I be wrong? I suppose I could, but I have long yearned for that money to be pushed out to local districts to meet the needs of their students. There is just too much waste when red tape is demanded from the top levels, and there is too much waste when every student is required to adhere to a one-size-fits-all education. | We talk about looking for the best in people. We talk about having high expectations. We talk about being tolerant. We talk about giving people the benefit of the doubt. We talk about having a positive outlook. I hope to model all of these ideas in this post. |
Remember, I am just one person, with a point of view, considering what another person, with a different outlook, really means. We'll all experience disagreement with even our favorite bosses and leaders eventually. Can any of us claim to agree 100% with any president? Not if we're honest. But I can always choose to maintain hope for some form of agreement. After all, I grew up in Oklahoma. I can't forget what Oklahoma's favorite son, Will Rogers, said: "I never met a man I didn't like."
Are many of our young people deprived of knowledge when the cash doesn't properly trickle to them? Of course. Have lives been stolen because of disadvantage? Yes. Is our country been robbed of potential greatness when drugs and crime runs rampant in certain locations? Probably so. That should sadden all of us. But I am not personally offended by a statement of facts. I suppose the level of acceptability for poverty and crime may be a subjective one, but if we agree that just a little bit is too much, even that should not be a point of contention. We, as teachers and parents have to be honest with ourselves about the problems, but we do not have to take them personally.
Are many of our young people deprived of knowledge when the cash doesn't properly trickle to them? Of course. Have lives been stolen because of disadvantage? Yes. Is our country been robbed of potential greatness when drugs and crime runs rampant in certain locations? Probably so. That should sadden all of us. But I am not personally offended by a statement of facts. I suppose the level of acceptability for poverty and crime may be a subjective one, but if we agree that just a little bit is too much, even that should not be a point of contention. We, as teachers and parents have to be honest with ourselves about the problems, but we do not have to take them personally.
This American carnage stops right here and stops right now
OK, so here is one of those hyperbolic statements. It sounds tough. It sounds like the current state of culture in the United States is grim and dark, but the fact that it ends, despite where we think the current state begins, is a positive outlook. Any "carnage" is too much, so rather than believe that I am a contributor to it, let us seek solutions.
We are one nation -- and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams; and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny.
I can appreciate the pronoun choices here: we and our. Honestly look at those words. Do I not want my children's dreams to come true? Do I not wish for them to be successful? Do I not desire unity? Absolutely. You might think I'm looking through rose-colored glasses. I may not be seeing this through the same lens that you do, and that's perfectly acceptable. That just how I'm looking at things from here and for now, with optimism and a reasonable suspension of disbelief for the time being.
