When i first read Dennis Prager's speech i was initially overwhelmed with a disposition of disgust and aggravation. I perceived Prager as a authoritarian that cares more about the public opinion than those of the concerned students, faculty, and parents alike. His speech was so played it is almost impossible to buy into it. If he were to become the principal the schools reputation would drastically diminish and eventually lose respect to even the most foolish critics. I was in shock when he said your culture and religion would not be honored. Though i do agree this is a country that has gained its own vast culture and traditions, but it is repugnant to even consider requiring somebody to leave behind a culture that they hold so much pride for.
One thing i did agree with in the speech was when he said it was integral to learn english, this being probably the only thing i agreed with. Though i agree that we must judge somebody on there character, where somebody comes from displays what they believe in and what they acknowledge as sacred. I believe that those who clench there culture even when faced with the threat of being considered a outcast shows the character that should be credited by overcoming odds that not many would face. Even though profanity is not always considered intelligent, Dennis Prager must endure the reality that not everyone in high school is perfect, nor is anybody else, in my eyes perfection is a blind goal only pursued by those who are senile enough to truly believe that they can attain perfection. One should not reach for unattainable goals but attempt to acquire realistic ambitions that can be grasped.
Basing academic grades on your clothes is absurd. Freedom is one of the few things students enjoy in school, taking away our freedoms is the most unamerican affair i can even imagine. This great country suffered a war and many obstacles to even gain independence in the first place. A wise man named Patrick Henry once said March 23, 1775 "Give me Liberty Or Give Me Death". Taking away the single thing that allowed our country was founded on is outrageous beyond belief. The ignorance of taking away the education of realistic threats such as smoking, health, drunk driving, and many other controversial subjects just shows how little Dennis Prager even comprehends about the real world. Although he can attempt to cloak the real problems high school students have failing to accept these real issues only shows the weakness of not only the school as a whole but the leader as well. A general that cannot command his soldiers is one that will fail in any and all aspects of anything he/she attempts.
The greatest leader is not the one that is disguised as perfect, but the leader that is willing and able to face and retaliate to problems whether they be minor or considerable. Dennis Prager's way of teaching will not work because he is unable to perceive the truth that we are not carbon copies but we are all unique in many aspects and for us to succeed we must stick together and may have to go the extra mile for certain students that are faced with considerable and complex issues that may have different solutions. Might I add that even the suggestion that Dennis Prager doesn't even believe i have the mental capacity or intelligence to articulate the Pledge of Allegiance stands as the single most demeaning and belittling thing anybody has ever inquired about me. Dennis Prager does not hold the sagacity to be a janitor, and i hold a considerable amount of respect for the janitors which is why I don't believe he should even attempt it.
Prager is saying that the schools are letting culture get in the way of pure individuality by providing opportunities for these groups. He believes that these groups shouldn't have anymore of a head start than your Anglo-Saxon American teenager. So by not honoring these cultures, he hopes to rule out this factor. I do agree that this is absurd that he thinks America should be all "Bob and Susan Smith" because America is made up of immigrants and our culture is individual cultures. Prager takes it too far and doesn't care one bit.
ReplyDeleteI know this is an extremely biased speech, but do you HONESTLY--perhaps having read this a few times--believe he wants everyone to be Bob and Susan Smith? You are entitled to this opinion, but I think he's even poking fun at the Anglo-Saxon teenager who also uses this as a crutch for why he can no longer get into schools or get a scholarship...I think he's saying it's ALL backwards...
ReplyDeleteBRAD- I LOVE your connections to the founding of our nation, and I think that Henry was right on that if we are not 100% free to choose what and who we are, we are not truly alive; therefore, I agree that Prager's insistence on a formal dress code takes it to another level...I do, however (as I'm sure you know), feel that it is important to take physical and emotional pride in ANY endeavor in which you are investing. Just as I expect you to dress academically and appropriately for school every day (and I don't think this necessarily means collared shirts), I would expect a cook at a restaurant to come in every day with a clean jacket, and a nurse to work in clean scrubs. How you come to school every day, I believe, directly reflects how you feel about your education. I know you disagree and you are entitled to your opinion, but I think that young people demand to be "taken seriously" and "treated like adults" but I can imagine that if you showed up to a job interview in sweatpants (even at Gold's Gym), you would not get the job.