Bumper stickers have become billboards of the mind. They reflect insight into the minds of the occupants of vehicles and our society. Yesterday, two vehicles in front of me had contrasting bumper stickers worthy of comment.
The one on the left read "My child is an honor student at such and such school. " The one on the right read, "My child can beat up your honor student." Interestingly the child on the right was a small wiry kid and the one on the left was athletic looking.
As we all waited for the light to change, it occurred to me that the one on the left represented a form of social haughtiness and the one on the right a form of moronic social conception. Intelligent people do not lower themselves by bragging of their intelligence. People with any intellect at all do not brag about being able to whip someone. This is a case of dealing with brain and brawn.
What are the profiles of the citizen we develop if we take these bumper sticker messages to heart? One tells children it is alright to be haughty and negative toward others based solely on academic achievement. You all know what a snob is any way. By the way, are you aware that being on the honor roll does not always reflect any superior intelligence? Some of us made the honor roll through sheer determination and hard work under close supervision of a caring parent. Regardless of how you obtained this honor, through God given brains or parents, it is not something to boast about in polite society.
The other sticker tells our children that physical strength is superior to academic talent and achievement. It is exactly this level of mentality that feeds young lives to the gangs so prevelant in our societies. It provides a constant supply of clients for welfare workers and prison counselors. Being able "to beat up" someone has never been an asset or criteria for position in a humane or polite society. It is something you can only brag to people less intelligent than you, if you can find them.
What is the remedy? Why not cover both bumper stickers with new ones? How about, "The kids in this vehicle are precious objects, handle with care" or "My kid and your kid are very important because God doesn't make any junk." There are many others that come to mind. "Love children, teach them to read" "Isn't it great being human and different?"
Today's students are torn in many directions by different philosophies. How and when will they learn one that will bring peace in their lives as they grow into adults? For sure it isn't accomplished by teaching them to brag or be bullies. We see enough of the results of those philosophies in places ranging from places like Bosnia, Iran, all the way to Ireland.
Perhaps the children can help us. Maybe they are closes to the truth and reality of life, because they haven’t had as much time to build a false facade around themselves like we adults have done so well with in life. Good luck kids, show us the way!
No comments:
Post a Comment