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This is not the POC forum. A discussion about a school situation can be had, with civility, without any name calling.
I would expect that a high school discussion on civic participation would include a variety of opinions and ways to express those opinions. Teens who will be voting in a few months or years should be learning those things - regardless of where they stand on any issue.
I get a bit fired up when a teacher tells the people who are paying for the school and are generally forced to go to said school "if you don't like my political/social opinions then withdraw and go somewhere else". There's nothing civil about that.
School is supposed to be non political as much as it's supposed to be non religious. It is a place of ideas, history and facts from ALL sides with no side being favored or pushed other than facts.
The reason I am against this is because I think it will have the opposite of the intended effect.
These shootings have not become more frequent due to the availability of the weapons. What has actually changed in the past ten years? It's the media hype that every one of these shootings brings with it. These sick people get all kinds of attention, which was their purpose to begin with.
I've done a lot of studying on this issue. When they interview these people, they are always fan-boys of the prior shooters. They study them, they figure out which instances got the most attention and why. Do you really think stricter gun laws are going to stand between them and their glory? They will move on to homemade bombs if that is the case.
This walkout will bring them even more of the attention they are seeking. It is well-intentioned, yes. But misguided.
In your opinion.
It's a complex problem that does not have one simple solution. Which is why discussion is important. Telling students to basically shut up and sit down, that their opinions and voice is unimportant is not the way to raise future voters.
I get a bit fired up when a teacher tells the people who are paying for the school and are generally forced to go to said school "if you don't like my political/social opinions then withdraw and go somewhere else". There's nothing civil about that.
School is supposed to be non political as much as it's supposed to be non religious. It is a place of ideas, history and facts from ALL sides with no side being favored or pushed other than facts.
I disagree with non-political. Non partisan yes, non political no. No one is being forced to participate in a walk out.
You can get fired up about whatever you'd like but when you start with the name calling about those who have a differing opinion, you demean both the discussion and yourself. It's not a good look.
High schoolers will be voters very shortly. Actual critical thinking is developed by making these very types of decisions after thought and discussion, not just reading about them in a book. This nation has a very strong history of civil disobedience - unless you've forgotten what you read in those books and classes. Perhaps if the lesson was more interactive it would have stuck with you.
What a silly statement.<bold> So will grade schoolers so where do you draw the line? One other thing y'all seem to forget about "civil disobedience" is that it had very real consequences. People went to jail,got fired,got evicted etc.
What is being advocated for now is not "civil disobedience", it IS a hecklers veto.
I disagree with non-political. Non partisan yes, non political no. No one is being forced to participate in a walk out.
You can get fired up about whatever you'd like but when you start with the name calling about those who have a differing opinion, you demean both the discussion and yourself. It's not a good look.
High school is an appropriate time to have these discussions. As you noted they should be learning critical thinking. Making these decisions for themselves, after thoughtful and meaningful discussion, is an exercise in critical thinking. Even if you personally don't support the action. It''s not about you.
Whether or not this is civil disobedience is irrelevent. It was an example. This country was founded on citizens taking action when they disagreed with something. Making their voice heard. Like it or not, that's what this is.
You can get fired up about whatever you'd like but when you start with the name calling about those who have a differing opinion, you demean both the discussion and yourself. It's not a good look.
Quote:
Your opinion...
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Originally Posted by jimj
......Maybe if they were protesting and demanding other KIDS treat those who are different better instead of shunning ....we'll go with the usual blame others......
I get a bit fired up when a teacher tells the people who are paying for the school and are generally forced to go to said school "if you don't like my political/social opinions then withdraw and go somewhere else". There's nothing civil about that.
School is supposed to be non political as much as it's supposed to be non religious. It is a place of ideas, history and facts from ALL sides with no side being favored or pushed other than facts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by maciesmom
I disagree with non-political. Non partisan yes, non political no. No one is being forced to participate in a walk out.
You can get fired up about whatever you'd like but when you start with the name calling about those who have a differing opinion, you demean both the discussion and yourself. It's not a good look.
Exactly to the bolded. There is no Constitutional provision calling for the separation of schools and public policy, the way there is for the Church and state. Schools SHOULD be teaching students to be good and involved citizens. Despite the snowflakiness on the right, it doesn't mean that schools are indoctrinating students merely by teaching multiple points of view, including ones that individual parents or families might disagree with.
It's a complex problem that does not have one simple solution. Which is why discussion is important. Telling students to basically shut up and sit down, that their opinions and voice is unimportant is not the way to raise future voters.
I don't tell my kids to shut up and sit down. We discuss all topics at length at home. They go on Reddit and discuss them more. Then they bring us the points that people made on Reddit. I'm probably one of the most open-minded parents out there. I have nothing against a lively classroom discussion (as long as the teacher isn't driving a particular POV).
I know a lot of you are responding to this from an emotional standpoint. I get it. You knew someone affected. You live in Florida. You're a teacher. I get all your points.
But to make a decision based on emotion just isn't smart. The sickos are loving this attention. You are pouring gasoline on this fire. It's destructive.
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