Let me start off by saying I should be writing a paper. I should be writing about Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle and how it reflects on the significance of pausing in the present to reflect on the past, but as I read about Rip and his unfortunate circumstances, I (1) agree with Irving and (2) feel infinitely sorry for Rip.
If that indeed is the reason Irving choose to write Rip Van Winkle (I make no claims to excellent literary analyses.) then he is totally correct. Winston Churchill once said, "The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see." Our nation and world faces new challenges every day, some that seem insurmountable, but if we could just take a moment and reflect on the past, maybe we could see a clearer picture for solving these problems. I tutor children in math every day, and although I recognize the importance of math and science to our global competitiveness, I feel a little disheartened that history does not get the same amount of effort and attention. It is important that these kids someday know how to balance a checkbook, but will they also know the laws of our land, and will they have enough love and respect for our liberties to adequately defend them?
Second, I feel sorry for Rip, because, even though he became the resident story teller of his community sparking an interest in the past among its residence, he slept through history. He had a chance to see it, and he missed it! He slept through the AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Now, in a historical sense, the events we see today do not compare, but how much history are we "sleeping" through? I am bad to wish I had grown up during some of the most significant moments in American history without thoroughly appreciating the history we are living (and making!) everyday.
Think about it. I definitely did not vote for President Obama, and don't plan on doing it in 2012, but the historical significance of his election is remarkable. President Lyndon Johnson (my favorite) signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 just forty-six years ago. That may seem like a long time ago, but to put it into perspective think about the fact that the Civil War ended, marking the real beginning of freedom for slaves, in 1865, 145 years ago. It took another 100 years for African-Americans to be allowed to go to school with white children, and now just forty-six years later, one has prevailed to hold arguably the highest position in the world. Regardless of how well you think he is performing his duties, that's still pretty incredible.
Partly to be fair to conservatives, but more so just because I vehemently support him, think of the significance of people like Mitt Romney being able to run for president or run companies. At the beginning of our nation, religion dominated your life. You could have your property, freedoms, and even your life taken for the crime of thinking differently. Not during my lifetime, but “recently” in a historical sense, our country has elected a Catholic in President Kennedy, and now we allow a Mormon to run with minimal attacks based on religion (and the majority of those coming from his own party). In this country, you can call for the complete dissolution of the IRS and still run for president with no persecution. In the 1960’s young adults came together thinking differently and listening to different music, and somehow sparked a cultural phenomenon. My point is thinking differently is no longer a crime in the United States; it’s celebrated!
If I did not have a paper to get back to, I could go on forever talking about the incredible events we see taking place today, and how we really should take just a moment to reflect and, most importantly, learn. Maybe I'll write a sequel ;-)
My point is we live in incredible times in an even more incredible nation, and it's time we take time to reflect on that. Our past has shaped us into the great nation we are today, and we would do well to take more time to learn from it.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn
Last year, I lived on my own. I still had some financial support from my parents, though sparingly, and I lived in an environment very conducive to my needs. There was all the food I needed within walking distance; I had a place to live where utilities were provided. I paid for these things in one lump sum instead of working to make that payment every month. So my being on my own was not the most independent of situations, but I was essentially on my own. And I learned something about myself from this time of independence: I'm a lot more prepared to take care of myself than I think.
For example, I knew without much trouble which clothes to wash with which. I knew to eat at least three meals a day, and that in order to stay at a functioning level, I should probably sleep occasionally. I found my way around a new city with fair ease. I obtained the financial resources to pay for this environment, and I made it successfully. My parents may not like to admit it, but I can do a pretty good job taking care of myself. Why? Because they did their job.
Parents strive to teach their kids everything they know about life in eighteen short years, and then it's up to the kid make it. They may not like to see us leave, but their ultimate goal is to prepare us to live without them. My parents gave me everything I needed (and most of what I wanted) growing up, then let me wander into the world and make it on my own. I succeeded. Mission accomplished.
In a lot of ways, that same situation could be applied to our education system, or even our government in general. I know education is an incredibly broad subject, and there is no silver bullet that will solve all of its problems. But education could be the silver bullet to solve all of the other problems our world faces. What we need to do is prepare our students to one day live without complete dependence on the government.
If students are taught personal finance in school, some, though certainly not all, will be more equipped to handle their own money some day. If we shift our focus from all math and science to include some more serious talk of government and civic engagement, we may see a more knowledgeable and active citizenry and a huge surge in voter turnout. If kids are required to work hard and earn their grades, and if we strictly reinforce that actions have consequences, we could see a much more trained and ethical work force in the future. And most importantly, if we teach our children that kindness supersedes every other human quality, we may see a different world.
I see sets of curriculum all the time that teaches concepts but not application. We teach our kids "how" instead of "why." If we don't fix this trend, we will continue to see a growth of students that are armed with facts but have no idea how to function on their own or in society. It is important in our schools (and in our homes!!) that we teach children the skills they will need to support themselves. Maybe the best way to improve our government- to reduce the national debt, to cut back entitlement programs, to strengthen our military and our schools- is to have less people reliant on it.
"Education is not the answer to the question. Education is the means to the answer to all questions."
-William Allin
For example, I knew without much trouble which clothes to wash with which. I knew to eat at least three meals a day, and that in order to stay at a functioning level, I should probably sleep occasionally. I found my way around a new city with fair ease. I obtained the financial resources to pay for this environment, and I made it successfully. My parents may not like to admit it, but I can do a pretty good job taking care of myself. Why? Because they did their job.
Parents strive to teach their kids everything they know about life in eighteen short years, and then it's up to the kid make it. They may not like to see us leave, but their ultimate goal is to prepare us to live without them. My parents gave me everything I needed (and most of what I wanted) growing up, then let me wander into the world and make it on my own. I succeeded. Mission accomplished.
In a lot of ways, that same situation could be applied to our education system, or even our government in general. I know education is an incredibly broad subject, and there is no silver bullet that will solve all of its problems. But education could be the silver bullet to solve all of the other problems our world faces. What we need to do is prepare our students to one day live without complete dependence on the government.
If students are taught personal finance in school, some, though certainly not all, will be more equipped to handle their own money some day. If we shift our focus from all math and science to include some more serious talk of government and civic engagement, we may see a more knowledgeable and active citizenry and a huge surge in voter turnout. If kids are required to work hard and earn their grades, and if we strictly reinforce that actions have consequences, we could see a much more trained and ethical work force in the future. And most importantly, if we teach our children that kindness supersedes every other human quality, we may see a different world.
I see sets of curriculum all the time that teaches concepts but not application. We teach our kids "how" instead of "why." If we don't fix this trend, we will continue to see a growth of students that are armed with facts but have no idea how to function on their own or in society. It is important in our schools (and in our homes!!) that we teach children the skills they will need to support themselves. Maybe the best way to improve our government- to reduce the national debt, to cut back entitlement programs, to strengthen our military and our schools- is to have less people reliant on it.
"Education is not the answer to the question. Education is the means to the answer to all questions."
-William Allin
Saturday, April 10, 2010
America
I've developed a very bad habit lately. I am fascinated with education, especially the policy aspect of it, but commonly frustrated with the efforts (or lack of) being put into improving our education system. I am frustrated with the political party controlling Washington, pushing legislation after legislation that either destroys freedom or undermines the American way. I am frustrated with the opposite party for their lack of ideas and healthy discussion, choosing instead to fight with one another than to defend the Constitution and fix our ailing nation. All of this culminates into a bad habit of being frustrated with "America." I find myself often saying why "America" is bad, not why the individuals who make it up are at fault.
But I am wrong. America is not bad, never has been, and I hope it never will be. America is the country who defeated Hitler and defended freedom all over the world. America is the nation that pulls together to send more aid than any other country to people we'll never meet in other, less fortunate nations. America is the country that allows a free marketplace of ideas as well as a free marketplace of commodities. The words of Israel's president Shimon Peres say it best:
To do that, we must not only draw inspiration from the past, but we must also learn some lessons from it as well. Many events that fall on America's timeline could present valuable lessons, but I want to focus solely on the last time our nation was truly thriving.
World War II brought a death toll of over 300,000 U.S. servicemen, but it also brought a sense of American pride that propelled the economy. Women moved into the work force. Detroit began manufacturing technologies for our military. People sacrificed whatever it took. We did what was necessary to keep our nation strong, and we defended America, because America was going to defend the world.
We can learn a lesson from this today. The days of "Ask not what your country can do for you..." are long gone, but their return would bring great benefit. In a time when our economy faces devastation, it's time to turn to one another for our strength and comfort, rather than to our federal government. We, like the civilians in World War II, must work to get ahead and take responsibility for what needs to be done.
There are times in America when freedom was vehemently defended, now we sacrifice that freedom to government programs promising to fix our problems. Instead of setting par for other countries, we strive to conform to other standards. My plea is that we realize America is not every other country. We may not always do what is sensible or popular, but we do what is right. And what is right is for Americans to learn to take care of themselves, take responsibility for their failures, and be given understanding when they need to start over.
But America is only as strong as its citizens. We are entrusted a duty to defend freedom, to work hard, and to be our best, because America is made up of the best. "Whatever it takes," should be our motto, because who knows if one day another Hitler may arise, and who will be there to stop him this time? I'm proud to say I am an American; I am not ashamed of her Constitution. Again, America is the underdog. Our economy is weak, along with our education system. We've given our government more power than our founding fathers would have ever dreamed, and they have obliged us with heavy taxes and failing programs. It's time to pull together. Call out the wrong, strive for the right, and be proud of our America. The ideas that have made us unique have worked since 1776, and they can work today.
So God bless America, my home sweet home...
But I am wrong. America is not bad, never has been, and I hope it never will be. America is the country who defeated Hitler and defended freedom all over the world. America is the nation that pulls together to send more aid than any other country to people we'll never meet in other, less fortunate nations. America is the country that allows a free marketplace of ideas as well as a free marketplace of commodities. The words of Israel's president Shimon Peres say it best:
America is unique in the history of the world. In the history of the world, whenever there has been war, the nation that is victorious has taken land from the nation that has been defeated...Only one nation in history, and this during the last century, was willing to lay down hundreds of thousands of lives and take no land in its victory...America is unique in the history of the world for its willingness to sacrifice so many lives of its precious sons and daughters for liberty, not solely for itself but also for its friends.And thus "America" becomes synonymous with "freedom." Throughout America's history, they have played the role of the underdog and won. Who would have ever though a young nation composed of 13 unorganized colonies could defeat the naval superiority of Britain? Who would have thought that a weak northern army, fighting to keep our country together, could defeat a stronger southern front fighting to tear our nation apart? Yes many times we have overcome great challenges. Now we find ourselves as the predicted loser again, and with all confidence I say we will overcome.
To do that, we must not only draw inspiration from the past, but we must also learn some lessons from it as well. Many events that fall on America's timeline could present valuable lessons, but I want to focus solely on the last time our nation was truly thriving.
World War II brought a death toll of over 300,000 U.S. servicemen, but it also brought a sense of American pride that propelled the economy. Women moved into the work force. Detroit began manufacturing technologies for our military. People sacrificed whatever it took. We did what was necessary to keep our nation strong, and we defended America, because America was going to defend the world.
We can learn a lesson from this today. The days of "Ask not what your country can do for you..." are long gone, but their return would bring great benefit. In a time when our economy faces devastation, it's time to turn to one another for our strength and comfort, rather than to our federal government. We, like the civilians in World War II, must work to get ahead and take responsibility for what needs to be done.
There are times in America when freedom was vehemently defended, now we sacrifice that freedom to government programs promising to fix our problems. Instead of setting par for other countries, we strive to conform to other standards. My plea is that we realize America is not every other country. We may not always do what is sensible or popular, but we do what is right. And what is right is for Americans to learn to take care of themselves, take responsibility for their failures, and be given understanding when they need to start over.
But America is only as strong as its citizens. We are entrusted a duty to defend freedom, to work hard, and to be our best, because America is made up of the best. "Whatever it takes," should be our motto, because who knows if one day another Hitler may arise, and who will be there to stop him this time? I'm proud to say I am an American; I am not ashamed of her Constitution. Again, America is the underdog. Our economy is weak, along with our education system. We've given our government more power than our founding fathers would have ever dreamed, and they have obliged us with heavy taxes and failing programs. It's time to pull together. Call out the wrong, strive for the right, and be proud of our America. The ideas that have made us unique have worked since 1776, and they can work today.
So God bless America, my home sweet home...
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