I have been really busy lately and feel dead to the world at times. However, I did listen to and watch President Obama’s speech to the school at Arlington, VA. I was substituting at a school and the main teacher planned on showing it, if it wasn’t for this, I probably would not have known about it or the heated debate. I am glad I got to see it, because afterward, I found out about the huge debates that were going on. I was shocked to find out that many were outraged at the fact that President Obama was speaking to our students in our schools. If you missed it check it out. Here you will find the links to the video and text of the speech.
Many schools in some states did not support it including the Governor Pawlenty of Minnesota. Many parents did not want there students to be in school if the President’s speech was going to be aired. Conservative republicans were supposedly the ones behind this. While this may be true for some, it wasn’t for all conservatives. Reverend John Piper claimed that this is exactly what he has been praying for; for Obama to motivate our country about education. Also, others like Craig Dunham, supported the speech and was surprised at the amount of criticism that took place.
As far as I could tell, the biggest complaints were that President Obama was going to push his socialist ideologies that it was a political stunt, that the term “don’t let your country down” was not appropriate, that he should not have been speaking to elementary students, and finally, the president should not be speaking in schools. However, I cannot find any articles that pinpoint exactly why the controversy started. I thought that if it was the conservative republicans there would be a website with information as to why the speech should be prohibited. If anyone can tell me where to find this, please do.
I tend to side with Mr. Dunham and Mr. Piper. I can see where some fears in the complaints stem from with the previous paragraph, but I still do not find the inappropriateness of the president coming into the schools. I was surprised when they outlawed God in the schools, but am totally floored by the fact the President Obama is next. If the President can not come in, then what are we saying to our kids? Our countries boss can not come in and speak to you!! Motivation in education does need to be revamped and watching a presidential speech is not going to corrupt your kids like Mr. Dunham and Mr. Piper were saying.
I found no real political overtones in this speech and I did think it was motivating. I also think that by winning the Presidency, you do win the right of speaking to 1 school in your 4 year tenure, well maybe 2.
Here is a blog with comments from other readers on both sides of the spectrum and one more article to stimulate your thinking.
What do you think?
Philip
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Philip -
ReplyDeleteFrom what I heard (and I have no credible sources on this, only what a colleague said) Obama changed the speech a bit after the big controversy started. I have not heard what he omitted or added, but the fact that he (supposedly) changed some things indicates that there were probably some questionable messages. That being said, I totally agree that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the president talking directly to our youth - in fact, it is an honor. Have we forgotten that he is the president?! If there was any content within the speech that didn't mesh with a parents' beliefs, the parent should do the right thing and let their kids see the speech, then talk to them afterward about being objective and how to filter out information. God forbid parents have to talk to their kids! We all knew the speech was going to be about hard work and the value of education and that is something every child needs to hear. Period.
cheers,
ct
Philip--I, for one, supported the speech not based on a political basis but on the grounds that anytime our students can hear from a person in a respectable (or used to be anyway?-sad!) position and that person is encouraging our youth to make the most of their future and contribute to the best of their ability, I am all in! I believe what the original controversy regarded was a supplemental study guide that included some points about Obama as president and not message from president. Once this was compromised, I think that there ended up being extreme politics. What's surprising to me as that this was not a brand new idea--this has happened before. Some are simply convinced to be against anything a politician they don't agree with does and, unfortunately, our youth and future are watching.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts!
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI think your right that the President should have the right to speak to the students and after listening to it, I didn't think it was such a huge deal. It seems like the two political parties are looking for anything to yell about.
I think the smaller kids probaly could have skipped the speach too.
Philip,
ReplyDeleteThe speech has been a very sore spot for me since it happened. My middle school agreed to show the speech to students and parents who did not want their child hearing the speech could opt out. The day of the speech came and the cable was working find until… the speech and the internet was working fine until… the speech. I desperately wanted my students to hear the speech because apathy is the biggest problem I face in the classroom. My students take responsibility for nothing they do and their parents attack the teachers for bad grades. For once someone (someone who I respect very much) was going to tell them to be responsible and because someone in the school decided they didn’t like it no one could watch it. I was so angry and there were teachers were backing the decision not to show it, which infuriated me. Two other presidents have addressed students and this controversy did not happen. Why is he any different? The speech was placed on the internet for everyone to read the Saturday before and there were still parents saying I don’t know what he is going to say. If parents cannot education themselves, how can their students? If we can’t respect the president in school, who can we respect? I was so ashamed of my school that day and probably will be for quite a long time.
Great Topic!
Blaire
It is nothing new that the President adressed school children. Bush, Clinton, and Reagan all made speeches to school children; in fact President McKinley did it in 1901. I feel the controversy was born from fear. We saw President Obama award billions in stimuls money, we're bombarded with conflicting views on healthcare, and unemployment is nearing 10% nationwide. The American public is scared and instead of rallying behind the President to encourage school children to excel, we dragged them into the political fray.
ReplyDelete