School Walkouts: Proud of Students, Not So Much of Schools

I want the thousands, if not millions, of students who walked out of their classrooms and schools on Wednesday, March 14 in a remembrance of students killed in Parkland, Fla. and elsewhere and to protest lax gun regulations that have helped those perpetrate such tragedies to know that I’m proud of them.

I also want students who wanted to participate in the walkout but couldn’t or wouldn’t because their schools imposed penalties against them if they did to know I’m proud of them, as well. I understand why you couldn’t. I understand not wanting something like a suspension on your record. Even though you didn’t participate I’m proud of you for having your heart in the right place.

For those students whose schools did penalize them for participating in the protest but decided to walkout anyway I’m especially proud of you. I know the suspensions, detentions, etc. will be hard, but they were obviously worth it to you to speak your hearts and minds. Your strong opinions and will power will be a great addition to this world and I hope you will have a positive impact on this country and planet.

I’ve never had faith in any generation. My parents’ generation has let this world down. Their parents’ generation did the same. I fear my generation – I’m 12 to 15 years older than you – is heading in a negative direction, as well. But, your generation – at least the ones of you speaking loudly enough for me to hear – gives me hope.

I’ve never had faith in education in this country either. I hate to say this because my mother is a teacher, but she is one of the best and teaches elementary school where I believe things are being taught that are necessary. Everybody needs to know the basics in this world and this is where they are taught. My lack of faith in education comes from the high school and junior high levels, maybe even middle school. I don’t believe schools at this level are doing right by our students. I believe this because I love to learn. I love knowledge. And, I will tell you right now that I’ve learned way more on my own than I ever did from school, and unfortunately that also includes college where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. That’s because schools don’t seem to be much more than an eight-hour daycare to keep children out of trouble while their parents are at work. I could go on about education in this country, but it’s not really what I’m here for.

I’m disappointed in many of the public and private schools in this country for how they reacted to the student walkout on Wednesday and in the days before warning students about participating. Any school that would penalize a student for participating in a protest is missing an incredible learning opportunity. We learn about the United States Constitution and its amendments in school. The first of these amendments is about freedom of speech, assembly, press and religion and, of course, these mean that the United States government can’t impede these. That’s something too many people don’t know or remember. Schools can make their own rules about speech, assembly, etc. But, in this situation schools should’ve applauded students participating in something they are taught about in school, not penalize them for doing so. There’s no better way to learn than doing so first hand. Teachers and administrators should’ve joined their students in these protests and then taught them about the important of the First Amendment afterward or in the days leading up to it. Of Mice and Men and algebra and the battles of the Civil War could’ve waited another day. These schools blew their opportunity and, in the process, probably helped to lose a generation’s faith in education.