If I believed in all the laws, rules, and gossip spread around the dinner table, the law offices, our national and international representatives, presidents, dictators, and would-be kings; I would soon become incarcerated at the nearest jail or asylum.
From the womb to the tomb, we are indoctrinated to believe! To believe the preachers, teachers, family, psycho-politicians, and old superstitions. In the meantime, the birds, deer, bears, moose, mice, cats, fish, and even worms and ants manage simply by instinct and opportunity. They watch, listen, look, smell, imitate, run, walk, rest, stumble, fall, pick themselves up, play, eat, and sleep. When they awaken, they are ready to do it all again. They learn each day never clustered into a building filled with bells, buzzers, and threats of punishment.
What do I believe? I believe we humans have been created with a fantastic body, mind, and heart. If we listen, watch, fall, and pick ourselves up again, play, imitate, are careful, whistle, and laugh, we learn mindfulness, and we would not need all the rules, paperwork, laws, and administrations of egoistical sycophants. We would have the freedom of our own bodies, our own powers of thought, creative ideas, and an awareness of all the natural foods and possibilities of nature. If we use our creative minds, I believe schools are a gift to all when they are based on experiential education, encouraging innovative ideas, art, physical activities, and inclusion of all people regardless of color, ethnicity, or physical or mental differences. Teachers must love their work, encourage each student to help one another and be paid well. Families should be encouraged to participate in school programs, and the administration must be actively involved with the community.
State and federal governments must not be allowed to interfere with school policies without state conferences and a majority vote from each school. The hours, grades, and testing can be organized by the state board of education in compliance with the local school board’s votes. Banning books is against free speech and historical evolution. Parents who disagree with school policies should be welcome to attend school meetings, make comments, suggestions, and ask questions. However, decorum is expected, and the school board will make final decisions regarding any recommendations.
Schools should never become a political toy.
Bottom line. Kindness, and creative, positive, cooperation beat political dysfunction.
M. Chandler McLay © May 2, 2023