school

My parents teach at a rural Oklahoma High School. The entire district has around 500 students. Many schools in the region and across the nation have decided not to show the President's Speech to America's Students on Tuesday. I'm proud to say my that my school is doing what's right - they're incorporating the speech into class curriculum.

My dad didn't vote for Barack Obama (despite my best efforts to sway him). He doesn't support many of his policies and he makes no secret about it. But when he found out that the President was planning to address the nation's students, there was no question about whether to show it or not. It was just the natural thing to do - the President of our Nation wants to address students, just like others have before.

So Dad was surprised when school districts nearby decided not to show the speech. He was surprised when Conservatives in the media criticized the President harshly about what Dad sees as a non-issue. He was surprised when Oklahoma legislators started accusing the President of attempting to indoctrinate young people. But what really iced the cake was when parents started calling his school to complain.

"Are you sure this is constitutional?"

"Doesn't the Constitution prohibit this sort of thing?"

"I don't want my child brainwashed."

"Will students be forced to watch?"

"SOCIALISM!"

"Will my child be counted absent if I take them out of school?"

Luckily, the administration backed my him up. Students will be going to specific classrooms to watch the speech. Those who don't want to view it will be sent to another classroom to work on assignments or study. Those who don't come to school Tuesday will be counted absent.

Many students don't receive any sort of support at home. There isn't anyone encouraging them, pushing them forward, and congratulating them for their successes. And for minority students, there often isn't any sort of role model or figure in their lives to prove that they can do whatever they want, with a little hard work. So I'm glad those students will have the chance to listen to the President speak directly to them. It's not going to be about votes, health care reform, or anything else political. It's about encouraging students to stay in school, get good grades, and work hard. What's wrong with that?

I'm proud of my rural Oklahoma school district for making the right decision and I'm proud of my barely-Democratic Dad, too. For him, this was an easy decision...It was just common sense.

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Yesterday, Mazhira Black -- Young People For Fellow and Living Liberally intern -- posted about starting off your school year on the left foot.

It got us thinking: it's not just the annual tradition of buying new gear, books and attire that deserves a how-to guide with a sustainable slant and lefty lean. There are dozens of events in the calendar year (holidays, Election Day) and in the human life (rites of passage) that would be well marked with a scoop of social consciousness.

So we're kicking off a Liberal Lifecycle Series...and we'd love your help. Whether it's bringing a baby into the world or wishing dearly departed farewell, we hope you'll send us suggestions for those life moments that could use a liberal lilt.

And here's the post that got us thinking this direction...(good luck back in Waco, Mazhira!):

Are you concerned that your free-thinking tyke will forget his liberal roots this fall in the classroom? Why not equip her with all of the essential back to school items that a liberal pupil needs? When you're bombarded with ads telling you what type of parent you are if you don't shop at Walmart to buy your kid the newest Hannah Montana threads or what sugary fruit drink you should pack in their lunch it can be easy to get lost in the crowd.