This is basically a commentary on an article found in the "Cougar Comments", which every student at Mountain View recieves in teh mail every so often. OF course, it is often thrown away without a second glance at its contents. Anyway, as the respectable, honest and incredibly handsome journalist that I am, I felt that ya'll should see certain aspects of the "Tid-bits From Grandpa Bob". For the entire gig, go to the department which puts this together (I have no idea what department that is...) and ask for one. I'm sure they will hook you up with one.
Everything is quotes is exactly what he said. Whoever "Grandpa Bob" is... he has some really good points. However, I am not an overly positive person, and no one really cares about the positive aspect, so I'm focusing on the negatice. Problems with that? Sue me... :^)
"In today's schools there is considerable focus on high-tech learning, to enable graduates to cope with today's high-tech business worlld - a world which, incidentally, by-passed this writer a long time ago..."
"The world has changed, though, and schools are consistently changing to keep up with it - hence the high tech-courses. But how about the humanities, the human relations? Are we forgetting how to get along with others, whose ideas and beliefs may be different from our own? Are we by-passing the 'people thing'? No, not really. The curriculum may not include as much as it could, but the extra-curricular activities pick up the slack - the various sports, music, drama and all the other things kids do at school wherein they not only develop individual talents, but lean about getting along and working together as a team."
This is where I would like to interrupt good ol' Bob. Sure, it is a heart warming paragraph filled with optimism and hope, but for the most part, completely lame. I feel that we are seriously lacking in the humanities department, and there is nothing we can do about it. Our society and schools preach that people who are different don't belong. That, because they look a certain way, others will not associate with them. Same with beliefs and ideas... if they aren't similiar to ours, then they are frowned upon and labeled as inferior in our mind's eye, thus segregating the person who holds those beliefs to be true. Then, the writer goes and assumes that everyone can actively participate in "extra-curricular activities". "sports, music, drama" are not for everyone. What if you have no rhythm or voice, and music is out? Acting? 'Tis not for everyone my friend... Then one would say, "What about friends? Everyone has friends!" and, once again, they would be wrong. We see people sitting alone in the halls everyday. Eating lunch by themselves, sitting in classes by themselves and living lonely lives by themselves. See... connecting with others is not always easy for most people. What if you're funny looking and the opposite gender won't look at you? What if you are confused about your current situation, and others perceive you as bein' "weird"? The writer of this article is brimming with optimism. He sees the people who the schools label as "good kids". Those who "contribute" in sports and other activities, the ones that the school is proud to have. What about the others who don't do that? Do teachers remember their names when they leave their classes? Does the principal or anyone else stop to say hi to THEM when they see them in hall ways? No. They don't care about that... they see those students, who outnumber the "good kids" of the school by 10 to 1, as expendable. They are just the fodder who occupy the space in which the special few reign dominant. Like I said, great idea, but it lacks substance. Now, let us continue...
"Sometimes when we are irked at something at school, some among us feel called upone to 'tell off' the principal, or maybe 'kick his butt!' Well now really, that isn't 'cool', nor does it accomplish anything, except maybe show-off our own inadequacies! If you have a problem at school, by all means speak up and let it be known. The school staff are interested and sensitive to all of our concerns. But for heaven's sake, be reasonable about it. There just may be some things YOU don't know - and generally there are!"
Well, I am all for tellin' someone off for one thing or another I see as being wrong, as long as teh teenage angst is directed at the right individuals. I wouldn't attack good ol' Eddy for me being mistreated by teachers who abuse their authority. I would take it up with them personally... maybe in the form of verbal communication, or something more.. fun. My problem, my choice, my result. What "Grandpa" was alluding to was the people complained about the subject matter in GREASE. Saying that it is not appropriate for the school environment. Censorship at it's finest. It happens FAR too often in our school. What would those same people say about this newsletter? "BURN IT!" That is always a perception of those who fear what they find... especially if it is true. I don't fell like going off on how censorship is the worst thing our sountry faces... not now. If you feel it is not appropriate, don't associate yourself with it. Simple as that. Obviously "Bob" was pretty upset about this as well...
Anyway, I have used up my allotted space in this issue. I will see you all next time, or in the letters column.
