I remember going to see Dead Poet’s Society when in middle school. Back then, our parents would drop us off at a movie theatre and then come back for us a few hours later. No cell phones. No supervision, but that is for another post.
What struck me, even then, about the movie was the capacity of one teacher to inspire his students to develop their own, powerful, authentic voice. Sure, there were awkward scenes and maybe Mr. Keeting wasn’t the most responsible educator on the planet. But he inspired his students to identify the core of their identity and to then stand – quite literally – for what they felt was right and just in the world despite the hollow threats of an adult clinging to their last shred of power – more there later as well.
So when friend and colleague, Jennifer Carey, published Don’t Call Them the Selfie Generation to Facebook yesterday, I could not help but reflect on that moment from Dead Poet’s Society. In her Facebook post, she remarked that in the years that she has been an educational blogger, she has adhered to one critical rule: no politics. Like Jen, I have also held this belief – often disguising my political views with analogies about Star Wars or discussion of upstanders. However, reading her post sounded like a call to stand on my desk, or at least sit at my keyboard, so here goes.
I am NOT ok!
I am not ok with the increasing violence in our communities and schools.
I am not ok with politicians who value political donations from lobbyists (guns, oil, pharmaceuticals, coal, even tech companies) over the lives and well-being of their constituents.
I am not ok with the growing income gap in our country and extreme poverty experienced by a large portion of American citizens.
I am not ok that students could be disciplined or punished for expressing their views and engaging in their First Amendment rights. Though, I am ok with the response from MIT!
I am not ok with fanatics who accuse articulate students of being frauds or actors when they choose to advocate for what we all know is right.
Speaking of which, I am not ok with the current administration accusing the media of being “fake news” or intentionally deceiving the general public.
I am not ok, as Jen so articulately wrote, with discrediting and discounting an entire generation simply because those of us from an older group may not quite understand their particular social norms. To my fellow Gen-Xers, remember that we thought perms, pegged jeans, and then the “grunge look” was a good idea!
Finally – well, maybe not finally but I have to get back to work – I am not remotely ok with considering the possibility of increasing firearms in schools when some cannot afford the most basic facilities (heat, roofs that don’t leak, enough desks, etc).
On this last note, I would like to thank Chris Lehmann for his thoughtful commentary about the absurdity of that last idea.
Thank you, Jen Carey for stepping up onto your desk. To the students who will someday change the world: Oh Captain, My Captain, #NeverAgain.