I know that I am a teaching blog and writing political posts is not the purpose of what I do. I apologize to those of you who tuned in to read about the wonderful week I had with my wonderful, wonderful kinders and by the way, I DID have a wonderful wonderful week with them....but....... I just cannot sit back and watch what is happening in our country right now. The constant political ads are nothing new, but the meanness and hate that is coming from them is unsettling. My stomach is in knots over what I am seeing in the news, on Facebook, in the newspaper.... I am a kindergarten teacher who teaches my students to treat others with kindness, to compromise to reach a decision, and to understand that we are not always right. These are lessons learned in kindergarten and it breaks my heart that they are dismissed as our children grow into adults........If the politicians in our country were students in my classroom, they would be spending much of their day in time-out, sitting across from each other, making eye contact, and coming up with a plan that works for both of them.
I watched a news clip of a major candidate belittling people who were protesting at his rally. He called them names and told them to "go back to their Mommies." What?? Really? Doesn't the President of the United States PROTECT the Freedom of Speech amendment? If he was in my classroom, I would take him aside and talk to him about tolerance. Tolerance is understanding that not everyone is like us and not everyone shares our opinions. Tolerance is acceptance of the differences of others.
Tolerance is NOT yelling at a person who does not share your opinion.
Watching all the name calling that is happening in this national campaign is shameful. Name calling is not allowed at all in my classroom. When this happens, an apology note is written for the first infraction. If it happens again, an apology is once again given and free time and/or recess is lost. This should happen to politicians, too. After one infraction, an apology is issued. After 2 infractions, they no longer receive media coverage until they change their tone. Instead of name calling, they should take a tip from my kindergartners and understand that name calling does not gain you friends.
I am scared and ashamed of what is happening. Politicians have little regard for the people and laws that they were elected to protect. I look at the sweet face of my kindergarten kids and wonder what kind of role models they will have? Will they strive to be President of the United States because they want to serve and protect our constitution or will they strive to be President because they want to be powerful? I KNOW that our world is frightening. I KNOW that we need strong leaders. But being strong does not necessarily mean being ruthless.... Compassion can be as powerful as strength.
Politicians... take a tip from the future leaders that are presently in my classroom..... Stop, listen, talk, make an agreement, shake hands, and compromise....... There is no weakness in negotiation and compromise.....
Until next time ( and I WILL be back to sharing classroom activities in my next post!)
Blessings,
My teammates and I were just discussing this! Maybe a Kindergarten teacher should run!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, Laura! It is so sad to see these lessons learned in kindergarten dismissed as childish...... :(
DeleteI'm from Illinois as well and actually live in Charleston where EIU is. This is all so sad and incredibly discouraging to me. Without getting too much into my beliefs, it seems the left is so far left and the right is so far right and no one knows how to meet in the middle anymore.
ReplyDeleteI know, Paige..... Neither side has the right or wrong answers. If they would just work together, things would be so much better. As far as EIU goes, I saw a sobbing woman on the news who has absolutely no idea what to do now that she is without a job.... such a terrible sadness that could be fixed with compromise.....
DeleteCindy
This is probably the most beautiful teacher post I have ever read. No... forget "teacher" post, it is the most important POST I have ever read. I am wondering if there is a way to make it go viral. I will pin, tweet, do my best to get it out there. Your thoughts are clear and pure - at a time where the water is so muddy and mean, it's terrifying. Thank you so much for writing this! I love your heard AND your common sense.
ReplyDeleteOh Lessia, thank you... I feel so strongly about this issue. I DO wish that politicians could see the effect that they are having on our youth. I am frightened of what they will be 20 years from now....
DeleteBlessings,
Cindy
Great post! Thanks for sharing! There is so much "Do what I say, don't do what I do" and not enough practising what we preach to our kids.
ReplyDelete