I've never been a fan of history classes, but for some reason, I find history itself very interesting. It's all in the way you tell it. Most of the way its presented in the classroom facilitates these grandiose ideas everyone buys into because it's partially true, but leaves out the obvious holes in the picture. This past year people have been bumbling over each other, picking sides, pointing fingers, and poking fun at our government, our constitution, and "the American Way" in general. I've witnessed some hot debates over touchy topics and generally, I try to stay out political conversations... Unfortunately, that doesn't keep the conversations from continuing in my head.
I took U.S. History and U.S. Government in high school. At some point we had a discussion on "The American Dream" and what it meant to be an American. The buzzwords were hardworking and pioneering--things of that nature. So the ultimate thought for the exercise was how we could emulate these traits in modern society to continue this dream. That's a beautiful idea: hardworking pilgrims fighting for freedom and exploring new frontiers. I get exactly where my teachers were going with the idea, there is nothing but truth in the fact that America was built from sweat and tears, courage and bravery. The people who built this country also lied to the Native Americans, took their land, used them to learn how to survive here, massacred them, then realized they didn't want to actually work the fields. So they imported slave labor from Africa, of which they bought, sold, whipped, raped, and otherwise abused. Suddenly the American Way of getting the American Dream doesn't sound so beautiful anymore. Our founders wrote the constitution to protect and give freedom to white men. The reason we are where we are is because some of these white men had a different mindset and/or were persuaded to use their freedom to free others. These men gave the oppressed the tools they needed to escape oppression, and those of us who were not white men stood up to the government and demanded change. We've come a long way, we've got a long way to go, and we're creating our own American Dream. It could be beautiful. Or it could be disastrous.
Our country is hot on 2 topics (other than the economy) right now that I think warrant some careful thought: gun control and bullying.
The pacifist in me says we should get rid of guns, but the logician in me knows that isn't the solution. The 2nd Amendment guarantees us the right to bear arms; its quite un-American to suggest that this be changed. Of course at one point the constitution said black people were three-fifths of a person and that women couldn't vote; I suppose at that time it was un-American to suggest otherwise on those topics as well. So because some people are clearly disturbed, we should ban assault rifles from everyone. Well, some people are clearly unfit parents, we aren't banning them from having children. Some people are clearly idiots, we still let them vote. I don't necessarily think anyone needs an assault rifle, but if we didn't have them, who would? The government for sure--they aren't giving up their weapons. I'm willing to bet the black market would take over the trading of assault rifles, so more than likely gangs, thugs, the mafia? Probably the same lunatics who have them now... More importantly, what power would we be giving up? If no sane civilians are allowed access to weapons, we are 100% at the mercy of the government and the criminals. So what if congress just decided to ignore voting? What if there was a coup de tat? That's pretty much what Hitler did to Austria... There's obviously a problem in our country, but I don't think giving all the power to the government is a good solution. Like I said, we are where we are today because the people stood up to the government, not the other way around.
Now, about this bullying... First, I must say, I'm a fan of cartoons; therefore I watch Boomerang (which is owned by Cartoon Network). They have an anti-bullying campaign which airs commercials during almost every commercial break. Some of their commercials I can get with, but one of these commercials in particular drives me up the wall. There are three girls sitting at a lunch table talking, when another girl approaches the table. The other girls shift their body language as well as their belongs to drop the hint that she is not welcome to sit there. This is when the anti-bullying conversation comes up and they explain that this is bullying and someone should speak up, blah blah blah. Since when are we are teaching kids everyone has to like and accept you? Is it hurtful that someone doesn't like you? Of course it is, but I bet there are people you don't like yourself. Everyone is not going to like you. Everyone is not going to be your friend. Furthermore, even if they do like you, sometimes friends have something personal they want to share with each other that doesn't involve you. You can't always be included... We've got to stop giving people excuses to fall apart and start teaching kids how deal with reality. These commercials all say "get an adult" and imply that the 3 "bullying" girls should like the other girl. So every time someone excludes me from the group I'm supposed to go run crying to the teacher? And when these kids become adults? Adults bully people too. Are we really going to raise a generation of kids that cower at every obstacle they run into? Sometimes things get tough, and its hard--trust me, I understand that. Maybe it does seem like everyone at your school hates you. But nothing the teacher says is going to make them suddenly like you. Quite frankly, no one has an obligation to like you and you don't have an obligation to like them. We have to teach our kids to like themselves, to fight back, and to stand on their own two feet.
I saw this teacher post a metaphor for bullying. She had her class ball up a piece of paper, then she told them to unfold it. After they unfolded the paper, she pointed out that it was still wrinkled and "beat up." The lesson was that the scars last forever. That's true. When I was a kid I had a teacher show us the same thing, only at the end she pointed out that the wrinkled paper was stronger, harder to rip. Her lesson was that we didn't destroy the paper, we made it strong. It's all about perspective.
I don't know where our country will be 20 years from now or even 5 years from now. I just hope we don't listen to the media and the history teacher, let ourselves get starry eyed and voodooed to the point that we forget all sides of the issue. I don't have the answers, but I certainly think about all the possibilities. Hopefully, we make a beautiful dream.
'Til Now We Stand At Last
