By ROBERT SEITZ
It is clear that what is taught and how it is taught must change in all school districts of Alaska. With the eroding of discipline, patriotism and trust in America it is time to reteach and restore knowledge of America. It is best to teach and train our youth of the good they have, the good that is available to them. I have thought about this a lot in the last couple of weeks and I believe we can work our way through what needs to be done with common sense and practicality.
One basic fact which most everyone is aware of is that “life is not fair.” It is therefore important that we prepare our children to be able to properly react to whatever unfairness life brings to them. A common expression is, “If you don’t at first succeed try, try, try again.” In sports we hear “no pain, no gain.” So it is clear from such sayings that people are expected to anticipate the fortune or misfortune to occur in their life and to respond in appropriate manner to take advantage of the opportunity to find ways to improve their condition.
I’ve been hearing that America is a land of white privilege, but to that I say NO! America is a land of privilege, a land in which every citizen is privileged to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Each just needs to have a dream, have an idea or have a passion and then work to bring that dream, idea or passion to life, to make it a reality; to make it their reality. Too often people are ill prepared to work through the difficulties or are discouraged from their pursuit by others, quite often people within their own family.
I heard an account on the radio while driving last week, of a woman who became a licensed airplane pilot through great difficulty and hardship. Bessie Coleman was born in Atlanta, Texas, in 1892 and earned her pilot’s license on June 15, 1921 in an effort to fulfill her mother’s hope for her children: “to amount to something.”
She was the first woman of color to become a licensed pilot. Her mother had a dream and her brother gave her a challenge. While she had great difficulty achieving her goal, she was prepared to meet the challenges. I urge readers to research Bessie Coleman. You may find you don’t have it so tough.
Young people are prepared for life through training at school and through training from their family. As long as both school and family are providing encouragement to “amount to something” and the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges, both anticipated and unforeseen, that this life will offer, people can achieve at least some of their goals.
Our children have recently been taught that America is only for white people, and that the old dead men who put together the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, and formed a new nation provided nothing of value for them. Those old, dead men who are the fathers of our country did good for all of us, no matter what our circumstances, no matter what our culture, no matter what our color. Every American citizen has this good available to them: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is there for every citizen to partake.
Schools and parents must enforce and reinforce the good of America. Children should be raised with appreciation for the development of good character, virtue, consideration for others, charity to others, usefulness, integrity and a great love for America, the land of opportunity. A focus on truth and love would be a good way to lay out the education plan. Our children, and many adults, have been lied to far too long by our government entities and education institutions.
The problems we have in America is not with the US Constitution or America itself. The problems occur because of wrong minded people who chose to impede certain people from pursuing their vision, their dream. There are those, in America, who do not share the American dream for everyone, but choose to follow an evil intent. Many have acted strongly and evilly against Americans. It is up to those Americans who know the good of America and who love America, to correct and deflect the injustices that are perpetrated on citizens of this land.
Right now we have an education crisis that requires reform of school districts all across the land and all across Alaska. It is time to get rid of the stuff that is contrary to American values and that distract young people from productive and meaningful lives. We need to find ways to deflect and expose the evil some impose upon our youth and our country with their lies. This IS a good land.
When young people are given things that they may be missing to bring them to an equal level with others, is robbing them of their chance to overcome whatever unfairness might stand in their way. Hard work is a good and beneficial part of a young person’s life. They may not think so while working hard but they will reach a point of realization that the hard past was of great value. The teachers we all remember best are those who challenged us and worked us the hardest. DEI has no place in an Alaska culture.
Those upon whom is heaped injustice, violence and disdain, are often told by others that their problems are the result of institutional prejudice that is built into the American system. That is a lie. They can achieve. There is no institutional injustice. The injustice is served by individuals with bad intentions.
Remember, Bessie Coleman found a way to “amount to something.” Those of us who have worked through our obstacles will be around to help and guide those who need a boost.
So, no expanded funding for Alaska schools, without reformation of schools, school boards and teachers.
Robert Seitz is a very long time Alaskan and engineer.
