The school district in which my son is a Kindergartener is looking to implement changes that would eliminate celebrations [incuding but not limited to Halloween and Valentine's Day]... all in the name of, [you guessed it], POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. * Hisses and bares her teeth *
Isn't it sad that what was once an ideal created for the protection of those who faced intolerance has come to morph into some menacing, sinister excuse used by any nitpicking ass-hat wishing to promote his or her own twisted agenda? Honestly, if I hear someone use the coupled phrase "political correctness" one more time I'm going to vomit in my own pointy black hat!!
Because my work at the University will prohibit me from attending the board meetings in which these policy changes will be discussed, I drafted the following letter expressing my disapproval. Comments and opinions please!!!
________________________________________
To Members of the School Board for the District of XXXX XXXX:
It was brought to my attention recently that pending changes in school policy seek to eliminate celebrations in the school(s). I am disappointed to learn that at the suggestion of a bitter few, you [a group formed to make decisions to better the learning environment for students] would altogether eradicate social engagements for current and future student populations.
When did “political correctness” become some four-letter word defined as “a necessary depriving of our own children in order to appease the belly-aching of a small handful of overly opinionated objectors”?
And at what point will it end? We are robbing our students of the simple joys that create lasting childhood memories, and at a rate equivalent to an overzealous bride running through the aisles with her registry gun! [Zap – there go birthday cupcakes! Zap – go the jack-o-lanterns! Zap – go the shamrocks!] Can no one recognize that we have already crossed the line into absurdity?! What will you seek to steal from my child next?!
School years should offer far more to a student than just decent test scores. While it is a home setting that instills a child with the compassion, manners and confidence needed for interactions with others, it is in their school environment that just such values are put into practice. It is the social endeavors shared with classmates that, joined with one’s education, ultimately produce a well-rounded individual. Remove these communal opportunities and what you can expect to create are empty shells; generic and average.
Where faculty of the past sought to ignite fires of encouragement, individualism and passion within the spirited young hearts of its students, you wish to stifle with demoralizing policies. And for what? Out of a fear that you may offend a minority of faultfinders [whom, you will come to learn, will never be satisfied]? Toddlers learn to use whining as a tool to get what they want if their mommies give-in to such tactics. Should the educated members of a school board react with similar enabling actions? (My family’s pediatrician would be appalled! And rightfully so!)
I think back to my own school-age memories and cannot fathom giving up costume parades and handmade envelopes stuffed full with Valentines. FOR SHAME that a committee designed to protect the development of each child would elect to simply erase such fundamental moments.
Keep pushing such idiocies into standard policy in the name of “political correctness” and I think you’ll find that future children will have no room for self-expression or creativity in the smothering atmosphere that such policies will generate.
Let us not teach our children that “only the squeaky parts get oiled,” even to the detriment of the entire working machine.
_______________________________________
If you have similar stories, please share! Suggestions? Send them my way! Wanna play Devil's Advocate? Have at it! I would love for someone to tell me how it will be politically correct to ban a Kindergarten class from showing off their costumes and exchanging Valentine cards.
