You’re quitting on your country
As you may well know, President Obama gave a televised speech to America’s school children yesterday. The speech was deemed controversial by some, and concerns that political agenda would be included in what should only be a “stay in school” style speech were voiced by many. I was one of the many.
Before the White House released “Remarks by the President in a National Address to America’s Schoolchildren,” I was not sure what to expect from the speech. In today’s politically charged environment, I could not help but wonder how much agenda would make its way into the speech. I was happy to have the opportunity to read the speech before it was aired, and while my initial concerns were quelled, a couple of new ones took their place.
Now don’t get me wrong, I did think a much of President Obama’s speech was spot on. For example:
“I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself. Every single one of you has something that you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.”
- President Barack Obama, “Remarks by the President in a National Address to America’s Schoolchildren”
I could not agree more with that sentiment. I believe that each and every individual has the potential to do great things. What those great things are can only be determined through self discovery, which is often a side effect of a good education in a free country where children and encouraged to recognize their individuality.
What I do not agree with, is the idea that success in school should be associated with patriotism or nationalistic pride. A child should attempt to do their best in getting a good education to better themselves. To open doors to a brighter future and a more fulfilling life. Not because their country expects them to:
“What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. The future of America depends on you.”
“We need every single one of you to develop your talents and your skills and your intellect so you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems. If you don’t do that — if you quit on school — you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country.”
“And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you, don’t ever give up on yourself, because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.”
“Don’t let your family down or your country down.”
- President Barack Obama, “Remarks by the President in a National Address to America’s Schoolchildren”
While I am sure some will tell me I am overreacting to President Obama’s words, I do not believe in telling children that doing poorly in school makes them bad Americans. Do we seriously want to associate difficulties in education to a lack of national pride or patriotism? And think of all the pressure this puts on children. Could you imagine a child getting a bad grade and thinking that they have failed America?
Many of the criticisms that I have read of President Obama’s speech come from parents who feel that it is the responsibility of the parent to instill a sense of educational responsibility in their children, not that of the President. After reading and later watching the President’s remarks, I am not at all surprised people feel that way.
When Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States, I truly hoped we would see a positive change after 8 horrible years under the Bush administration. But now, I can’t help but wonder what we’ve gotten ourselves into.
September 9th, 2009 - 13:15
Dude or Dude-ette,
Reading this entry was the BIGGEST waste of my entire life (and it’s been pretty wasteful) — I feel like I have somehow become less of an American by reading your senseless ramblings and I have no doubt lost some brain cells as well…Don’t be bitter McCain lost – it’s over, help the country get back together instead of…wth am i even writing this for? U won’t change…As you were…
September 9th, 2009 - 13:20
Thanks for stopping by Mike!
I am sorry to hear you didn’t like my little write-up, but I appreciate your candid opinion. I am not bitter McCain lost, in fact, I have never been a McCain supporter. I would love to help get the country back on track, but I am not sure the path to doing so has yet been taken. Time will tell, and we shall see.
Anyway, take care!
September 9th, 2009 - 14:46
As a teacher of 39 years and somewhat immersed in the history of education in the US, I have to disagree with your thought that education and Americanism/patriotism are unrelated. Since the beginning of our country, public education, funded by the government has had as one of its goals the preparation of an educated constituency in order that democracy work. (See Jefferson’s writings for some thoughts). Our vast industrial-type schools exploded onto the scene at a time when huge numbers of immigrants were flooding the country and needed to learn English and government in order to participate in our democratic processes. IMHO, one of our great failings seems to be that we have trivialized what it means to be educated and I can’t help but wonder if that isn’t some of what plagues us when we get these tempests in a teapot over the political ramifications of the President’s education speech.
September 9th, 2009 - 15:10
Hello Lynn,
I believe wholeheartedly that a proper education is an absolute necessity in life, and we should certainly be encouraging the youth of America to make the most of their education. My point is that we should take care not to associate difficulties in learning with poor citizenship, which some of the language in President Obama’s speech seemed to indicate.
A student who struggles with their studies is no less patriotic, no less proud to be an American, than one which excels in their school work. Does a good education make an individual better equipped to participate in the democratic process? Of course. But that does not automatically mean that individual will be patriotic, willing to contribute, or interested in the democratic process at all.