Kids are there to learn, not to "express" themselves

I am totally amazed at the discussions that I've read on this site regarding the Dixie T-shirt ordeal. Suffice it to say that racial issues are still very prevalent and important in today's times.

Accepting or rejecting the Southern Heritage or the Malcolm X supporters is not for what our schools are designed. They are there for kids to be taught reading, ritin’ and ‘rithmatic...the three R's.

Today's kids, including my own, have too many choices, too many opportunities, too much that diverts them from their school work. If they are not being text message’d on their phones, or having someone respond to them on their MySpace, or worrying about which $5 cup of coffee they are going to drink with the gang, its something else that is so very unimportant.

That’s why I have repeatedly asked and encouraged our school board members to push for school uniforms. Let’s get the kids’ focus back on learning rather than on some political/social/religious issue that has nothing directly to do with their learning. I'm tired of the politically correct subjects as well, but the first step is to get the kids to learn and getting uniforms is the first step.

Several years ago, Kathy Cox hosted a meeting and I asked her about all of the challenges that our schools had in getting the kids to learn. I asked her what we needed most; more teachers; more security; newer schools; etc.; she stated unequivocally that if she could make one change in the public schools it would be to make them all uniformed.

Sad to say, that she either chose not to push that as School Superintendent for the State or she was blocked in doing it. I'm still amazed at the parents that have yelled at me for raising such an issue as this. They comment about their child's freedom of expression being infringed upon as if that’s why their kids go to school.

Well in the real world, (You kids at Flat Rock pay heed) you have the right to freedom of expression.... and the right not to work because your employer fires you for wearing a Dixie shirt.

You have the right to scream black power and wear big X's on your t-shirts, and you also have the right to live on the streets when you can't get a job because you demand the right to freedom of expression.

You have the right to wear nose rings and tattoos all up and down your bodies, and I as a potential employer have the right NOT to hire you when you come looking for a job. (I also have the right to shake my head as you leave, wondering what in heaven’s name you were thinking when you thought a nose ring or neck tattoo would make you qualified to work in a business environment.)

You kids at Flat Rock have a learning lesson in this awful distraction. It ain’t about what you have the RIGHT TO DO. Its about getting prepared for the real world where no one cares about your Rights. They care about building a family, building a business or career, and generally learning to have a life. We all have the Right in America to express ourselves and to look like total idiots in doing so. But I’d advise you students and the respective parents to take off the stupid t-shirts, wear something that places the focus back on succeeding in this life, rather than in acting like a bunch of spoiled whiners. If not, then might I suggest you start learning the following phrase. . . . “Would you like to Super Size that order?”

Those that want to continue to identify themselves with a certain group, whether its those that are pro-black power, or pro-Dixie heritage, or for that matter pro or anti anything, please do so knowing that until you become an individual and not merely a member of a mob that you will never fully become all that you can be.

Grow up, use this time to learn your lessons and leave this silly distraction to the future minimum wage employees of America.

AMEN RICHARD

Submitted by Peachica on Fri, 10/13/2006 - 8:18am.

Well said!

What do we do to get this passed??

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I'm a spiritual being having earthly experiences

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Amen, Richard!

Submitted by swmbo on Thu, 10/12/2006 - 9:03pm.

To be candid, Richard, it isn't often that I agree with you but this time you are preachin' to the choir! I don't get to "express" myself at work; that's not what my boss hired (and pays) me to do. These kids need to get the message that we send them to school to learn. They can wear anything they want on their own time, in their own neighborhood. But while they are in a taxpayer-funded building, under the supervision of people whose salaries are paid by taxpayers, this business about "showing their pride" or "expressing frustration" (or insert any other purpose unrelated to education) is irrelevant to the purpose of their being in school.

And as for these parents who claim they can't "afford" a uniform, that is a load of {{{{SELF EDITED}}}}. Buying name brand fashions-of-the-moment will always cost more than plain polo shirts and plain khaki pants. Not to mention, somehow, just about every parent who complains about what they cannot afford has the following things in common: 1) an impeccably-maintained, professional manicure; 2) an expensive, late-model car; and 3) fashionably-dressed, spoiled children. Guess what, FCBOE? If you mandate it, they will buy. Stop giving them the choice.

Uniform those behinds and re-focus the minds.

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If you and I are always in agreement, one of us is likely armed and dangerous.

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Target

Submitted by maggie on Fri, 10/13/2006 - 7:20am.

has very affordable uniforms - khaki pants and polo shirt. Until the FCBOE adopts a policy requiring uniforms, it's up to us parents to watch what our children wear.

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I couldn't agree more.

Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Thu, 10/12/2006 - 1:53pm.

I stated the same thing in the comments after the article about the "situation" at Flat Rock.

It's not hard to figure out. Plain polos/t-shirts are not expensive, not compared to the stuff I see kids wearing. I almost refuse to buy my son a "logo" t-shirt because of exactly what you say. Although, I'm weak in the way of UGA shirts. If he has anything else, he's bought them with his own money that he earns.

This incident would not have happened if they had standard choices of what to wear to school. IF the kids want to blame someone for having to wear a uniform, they can only blame themselves. They are the ones arguing and causing a fuss.

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