How not to be amused by students’ comments on meeting the President: “Weird experience,” “My heart stopped,” and though one student “wants to be President,” others disagreed with Trump’s politics, proving there’s a class with healthy, diverse opinions growing up in New Hope!
Language arts skills will contribute mightily to any endeavor, political or otherwise, but “wouldn’t it be wonderful” if history and civics teachers could open doors to the enthusiasm for public service that underlies the razzmataazz of a campaign rally! “CALLING ALL SEVENTH GRADERS WHO WANT TO BE PRESIDENT! Open your own doors! Grab your history/civics teachers by the hand and get excited over discovering democracy!
Tackle the Constitution? In seventh grade? A bit much? So start with the history of Mississippi. It’s full of colorful characters and what a river! Try visualizing how, once upon a time there was this sprawling, unclaimed land of deltas, cypress trees, swamps and creeks full of catfish! Gold! And a native population of Choctaw Indians with a civilization all their own! (Farmers still plow up their arrow heads, which lacked the force of rifles), and if we forgive ourselves for usurping their land — and we do — we’d best stand strong for our subsequent laws of … “liberty and justice for all,” for no one is above the law, not the folks down the street, across town, nor anybody you’ll meet on the road to the White House, IF you’re set on going there. Parents can teach you acceptable behavior, professors will encourage you to try for scholarships, your buddies can dare you to “go for it,” and you begin to feel an accelerated heart beat on hearing the first three notes of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
But for now, if still interested, go grab your history and/or civics teachers and say: “Teach me! Test me on everything in this book. Teach me in terms of what’s happening in Columbus, New Hope, Washington D.C. and the Ukraine! Make me understand this Constitution thing that keeps coming up, like with The Bible, for heaven’s sake! What’s it got to do with ME? In seventh grade, when I graduate and need a job! And elections! l have a vote, but how do I make it count for my future?”
There are scary times ahead, so get ready. Flash back to that day in Tupelo when gun control and health care matters were headlines. New “news” is of climate change overtaking all outlets with matters of food and water rationing and of another football stadium being converted into housing facilities for Mexican immigrants. Really? They say it doesn’t have to be that way, that it’s avoidable IF. IF we make some drastic changes now in the comfortable taken-for-granted lifestyle we so enjoy.
But when dread climate change is upon us, you’ll have moved out of the safety of seventh grade, out of the heady days at State or “The W.” Thanks to those history/civics teachers, you’ll have learned to read, spell and discuss the Constitution with your peers! When you hear candidates offering solutions for insoluble crises, you can think for yourself and compare with ideas of your own. As for wanting to be president? You may have all but forgotten about it.
So, if you decide, “Uh uh” knowing all you know, and compared to the urge you felt in Tupelo, put on your signal light and turn, turn, turn. Do something else wonderful with your life. Be a fish and game warden helping conserve what’s left of Planet Earth. Or join the Peace Corp for two years! You’ll be so glad you did (and there’s going to be a growing need for peace).
I add just this then I’ll hush: “With all thy getting, get understanding.” It used to be engraved over the front entrance of Lee High School on Seventh Street. It may be in Shakespeare… Polonius’ advice to his son who’s leaving for college? Or is it Biblical? Proverbs maybe? Go google it.
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