Tolerance Plea Nets Rebuke...



The recent Woodlan High School flap over the school newspaper's running an editorial regarding gay tolerance is having the usual "ripple effect". It started with the principal feeling the material presented was "inappropriate" for students.

Excuse me, Principal Yoder, but I seem to recall a small "struggle" called the CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT back in the 60s. And there was this tiny "skirmish" in Southeast Asia we called the VIETNAM WAR about the same time. And school newspapers (then) were allowed to voice their opinions about THOSE issues, both pro AND con. Unless the newspaper articles WE wrote were injurous to the school's reputation or spirit, or deleterious to getting a good education, we wrote about it, whatever "it" was.

Maybe we were of a more intellectual or enlightened "age" back then? Hardly. Kids are still kids, no matter WHAT era they come from, good OR bad.

Face facts...the Vietnam War didn't just go away because we did or did not write about it. Same can be said for the Civil Rights Movement. ANY issue that affects SO many people either directly or indirectly will continue to be "in our faces", whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. It can be also said about tolerance of our fellow man or woman, whatever their "sexual preference" might be. SO why not advocate tolerance? What the hell is wrong with "getting along"? Christ KNOWS we need to be able to get along, if we, as a race are to survive in the global playground of a much larger universe.

Todays J-G has the whole editorial.
Link to the "rest of the story":

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/16747287.htm?source=rss&channel=journalgazette_news

To quote Megan Chase's article in question:
"Would it be so hard to just accept (gays and lesbians) as human beings who have feelings like everyone else? Being homosexual doesn't make a person inhuman, it makes them just a little bit different than the rest of the world. And for living in a society that tells you to always be yourself, it's a hard price to pay."

Now how TRUTHFUL is that? Does this young girl "Get it"?
I say without a doubt...she DOES!

To quote the Mission statement of EACS schools:
"The focus of our high schools is maintained in educating the students to become skilled in comprehension, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and inter-relational dynamics. During the high school years, students continue to narrow their paths of study in preparation for the task of life-long learning, whether that is in immediate employment or additional post-secondary education including college preparation, technical preparation, apprenticeships, or vocational training. EACS staff is dedicated to preparing the students to become successful leaders and participants in their community and in our rapidly expanding global market economy."

Sounds like out school did THEIR job...this young girl is a shining example. BTW, the school has an 88% graduation rate. I hope FWCS is listening, eh?

I've known gay people, but good AND bad. I can also say I've known straight people , again both good AND bad. Thankfully, the overwhelming majority OF people, whether gay or straight are good to some degree. And they should be accorded the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, along with whatever laws have been placed to allow them the same courtesies as others enjoy. Hell, I'd embrace the thought of having gays in my area a LOT more quickly than the vermin that inhabit my streets today...in a Philly heartbeat! Gays aren't afraid of work, pay taxes, and don't leech off of the taxpayers (unlike other factions of society).

Principal Yoder's demand to "screen" the newspaper flys right against the PURPOSE of having the newspaper in the first place; That being to allow the STUDENTS to express their feelings ae well as act as a forum for journalistic debate and cogitation. Not to mention it acts as a springboard for a career in Journalism. But I guess that supression of truth (in this case a plea for tolerance) takes center stage these days.

I would be remiss not to point out that all students are NOT destined to "burger-flip" their way through a miserable life. Many in out school systems ARE aiming for some sort of greatness. And such musings by this sophomore reinforce that statement. Should students be given a "blank check" to have their thoughts printed in a school newspaper?
Not really.

There has to be temperance and discernment on behalf of the faculty AND the students. And in THIS case anyway, the student newspaper was guilty of nothing but proclaiming the truth...we SHOULD be more tolerant of those who choose same-sex partners...everybody else says as much it seems. And tolerance is a lot better than having something rammed down your throat constantly, like so many other aspects of society (such as rap music). Tolerance (without personal intrusion) is the perfect answer to the problem. And it can be achieved.

In my opinion, there was nothing adverse, controversial, or anything that could be construed as counter to the educational system (or even society for that matter). If anything, the article was a statement about how the educational system IS WORKING. And that should be applauded, not chastised.

Still, the sophomore that wrote the article has come away from this a better person...she has learned what censorship is. I truly hope she continues her journalistic pursuits, and lets this minor "setback" become the impetus for intelligent dialogue through her written word.

I bow to her intellect, her passion, and her ability to articulate what many cannot. And I don't do that very often these days.