#science #knowledge #learning #reading #BanningBooks #neighbors
In past decades, we wanted our children to be smarter and more knowledgeable than we are.
We wanted them better educated than we might not have had the opportunity to be.
We wanted them to be more successful at whatever they did, than we were.
In recent weeks, that has changed.
We now don’t want children learning certain things, reading certain books or even interacting with other children who might be, perhaps, different from them.
We don’t want the agencies we rely on to conduct the research into diseases to help find a cure.
We now don’t think colleges and universities, which in the U.S. are the envy of the world, should educate, research and otherwise do what they do best without constraints.
The term “we” is certainly not everyone. Likely, it is not the vast majority of us.
It is a small group of people who want to take the country backward, rather than forward.
The next time someone tells you “I want to move forward,” you might ask them, “Are you sure?”
If you are not among those who want to move backward, it is important that you, and those who agree with you, resist with every fiber of your being.
There are certain things you can’t do without the power to do them, but there are many things you CAN do, even without the power you might desire.
The best places to resist these trends are in the courts, at the ballot box and in the streets.
Tell your elected officials what you think. The more people you have on your side, the more likely the officials will get the message.
If your officials are not resisting these trends to your liking, check your state law to see whether they can be recalled.
If they can, start a petition.
If they can’t, work to make sure they are not re-elected.
Whatever you do, VOTE whenever you have the opportunity.
The U.S. is still, despite what some would prefer, a country by and for the people. People need to use their power to beat back the tendencies of some in power.
You may be looking at what’s going on and wondering, “did I vote for this?” If you think not, you may not have been paying attention.
These tendencies were well advertised ahead of the last election.
But, that is thinking backward. Now is the time to think forward. It’s time to think about ways to move the country forward at a time when some are working to move it backward.
Short of action in the courts, at the ballot box or in the streets, begin by being kind to your neighbor, even if he or she is different from you.
Most mean you no harm. Some could even become your friends.
And, always think forward, toward more knowledge, more science and a smarter population as a whole.
The country, as you know it and would like to see it, will depend on it.
Peter
Tag Archives: neighbors
LET CHILDREN BE AS INDEPENDENT AS POSSIBLE
#children #IndependentChildren #SeeSomethingSaySomething #AdultSupervision
A boy, 11, walks to the store alone, about a mile from his home in North Georgia.
A neighbor sees him without an adult and reports his mother to authorities.
The mother is arrested.
The boy was not in danger and was not doing anything wrong.
In decades past, giving children some independence was not only allowed but encouraged.
Those of a certain age remember being dismissed from the house on Saturday or summer mornings and told not to come back until lunchtime.
No parents were watching them. They could, essentially, do what they wanted, with whom they wanted and go wherever their legs could take them for a few hours.
If they got in trouble, they paid for it later. If they got lost, they had to find their way back home.
Today’s climate requires, in many cases, more scrutiny of children. There is much more trouble they could get into today than children could in the past.
More prevalent today are pitfalls of drugs, violence, gangs and even non-custodial parents that could pose a threat to children.
In the North Georgia case, those pitfalls may have been less of a threat.
As discussed last week, it’s difficult to be an independent person today, even as a young adult. It’s difficult to create a life without help.
Does the lack of independence as a child contribute to that phenomenon? That’s a difficult question.
Make no mistake. It’s important for neighbors to look out for each other. If you see something wrong or threatening, say something.
It’s also important that if you see nothing wrong or threatening to mind one’s own business.
Authorities should judge reports of child neglect carefully. Perhaps, if they are called to a scene, they should be inclined to watch the child for a time to see whether there is a problem. If they see no problem, they, too, should drive away.
If they see something that may be amiss, it’s OK to ask the child whether everything is OK.
If the child says yes, and they still suspect something, keep watching.
Children have to learn to navigate life on their own, even at a young age. They also should learn to be aware of their surroundings, know the risks and dangers of certain activities and know what or who would be a threat to their well-being.
Small risks are OK. Skinned knees are not life-threatening. And being encouraged to take small risks can encourage them to take bigger risks as adults. Life is not without risk and parents need to help prevent risk aversion as their kids grow.
The lesson here is to let kids be as independent as possible within their confines. Neighbors should be watchful but not intrusive.
We all benefit when independent children become fully independent adults.
Peter
A boy, 11, walks to the store alone, about a mile from his home in North Georgia.
A neighbor sees him without an adult and reports his mother to authorities.
The mother is arrested.
The boy was not in danger and was not doing anything wrong.
In decades past, giving children some independence was not only allowed but encouraged.
Those of a certain age remember being dismissed from the house on Saturday or summer mornings and told not to come back until lunchtime.
No parents were watching them. They could, essentially, do what they wanted, with whom they wanted and go wherever their legs could take them for a few hours.
If they got in trouble, they paid for it later. If they got lost, they had to find their way back home.
Today’s climate requires, in many cases, more scrutiny of children. There is much more trouble they could get into today than children could in the past.
More prevalent today are pitfalls of drugs, violence, gangs and even non-custodial parents that could pose a threat to children.
In the North Georgia case, those pitfalls may have been less of a threat.
As discussed last week, it’s difficult to be an independent person today, even as a young adult. It’s difficult to create a life without help.
Does the lack of independence as a child contribute to that phenomenon? That’s a difficult question.
Make no mistake. It’s important for neighbors to look out for each other. If you see something wrong or threatening, say something.
It’s also important that if you see nothing wrong or threatening to mind one’s own business.
Authorities should judge reports of child neglect carefully. Perhaps, if they are called to a scene, they should be inclined to watch the child for a time to see whether there is a problem. If they see no problem, they, too, should drive away.
If they see something that may be amiss, it’s OK to ask the child whether everything is OK.
If the child says yes, and they still suspect something, keep watching.
Children have to learn to navigate life on their own, even at a young age. They also should learn to be aware of their surroundings, know the risks and dangers of certain activities and know what or who would be a threat to their well-being.
Small risks are OK. Skinned knees are not life-threatening. And being encouraged to take small risks can encourage them to take bigger risks as adults. Life is not without risk and parents need to help prevent risk aversion as their kids grow.
The lesson here is to let kids be as independent as possible within their confines. Neighbors should be watchful but not intrusive.
We all benefit when independent children become fully independent adults.
Peter