Posted on 06/22/2002 12:57:48 PM PDT by DoughtyOne
There has been many an instance where I have attended what quaintly used to be called graduation exercises. Yesterday I attended what I thought would be just another in a long series of these, but I was wrong. Everything was different about this one, starting with the latest in politically correct titles. My niece was graduating, er make that culminating from the sixth grade. It seems that we mustn't use the term graduation until the 12th graders are done with it. My mistake.
Grade school graduations, er culmination's, were generally innocent affairs. The children were herded into a large room and praised for their efforts. They often provided a display of their artistic talents through song, recital or art. They generally gave talks about their favorite teachers and accounts of their plans for the future. You didn't generally get the "We are the new masters of the universe" speech that is so common at high school graduations. Instead you expected to see and hear things that express the innocence of youth, flashbacks to a time long forgotten. Well, if your experiences are like mine yesterday, forget the flashbacks to a time of innocence unless that innocence involves a time when you respected those who developed the foundations for this nation. Because about the only innocence that will be revealed, is your own, if you thought this nation was the same as it used to be.
As I was seated I noticed two prominent features. Behind the platform was a large graphic of the world as if seen from space, with two doves hovering above. One was on each side. Then on the side wall was a large artistic mural about three feet by ten feet. There important figures from US history were noted. Looking left to right the figures started with Martin Luther King and "culminated" with George Washington and his horse. King was depicted by a picture of his face which was 1.5 times taller and 1.5 time wider than the graphic of Washington. Washington was depicted standing by his horse, almost a stick figure by comparison. It was fairly clear from the graphic that King was a huge figure in the artist's estimation. Amelia Earheart's face was presented as large as the Washington figure. She ranked right up there. Rosa Parks was noted. A number of other individuals were as well. Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers were not among them.
As the ceremony began, there was no singing of our national anthem, but surprisingly enough we were allowed to recite the pledge of allegiance. Perhaps they'll do away with that next year. Introductions were made and then selected children addressed the attendees.
The first speaker explained that his hero was Doctor Martin Luther King. He proceeded to tell us that Doctor King championed the rights of all people, not just blacks. He opened up education for all the people. Before him only whites were able to obtain higher education. This nation owes so much to Doctor King. Let this be a lesson to you, stand up for your rights and never let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do. This was not a short simple speech. The child's presentation lasted for about five to seven minutes. The hero was clear. The villains were made clear. The moral of the story was that everyone should stand up to the villains, and everyone should prevail over the villains.
The second speaker explained that her hero was Susan B. Anthony. Of course she provided the same treatment with regard to the vote and being oppressed by that same group of whites, only now it was clear we were actually talking about men all along, white men. Once again the hero was clear. The villains were made clear. The moral of the story was that everyone should stand up to the villains, and they should be overcome.
The third speaker explained that her hero was Rosa Parks. You know the routine by now.
The fourth speaker chose Amelia Earheart as her hero.
The principle of the school addressed the parents and family members. At one point she felt compelled to read a poem by Mia Angelou. The rest was the stuff of boiler plate graduation, oops culmination exercises. There was one highlight later that I'll mention. A certain teacher was "culminating" into retirement. It was noted that he had educated over 1000 students in his 35 year career. Luckily, he was going to keep his hand in when needed. His message to the children was this. "When you go out into the world, don't find a job that makes you a lot of money. Find a job that is as rewarding as mine."
Bad white men and world peace permeated the event. At the conclusion we were all herded outside for "something special". As we stood around about thirty doves were released into the air to fly away. It was as if they were to usher in a new age where evil white men would not rule and peace would envelop the earth. I guess governments in Africa, the middle-east, Asia and South America were the examples we should hope for in our immediate future. I know I do.
It's pretty clear where these kids get their world view. But where do the teachers get theirs?
These kids were about 85 to 15 percent hispanic to white, with at least one young black boy. The teachers were all white middle income looking individuals.
I asked my brother what he thought about the presentation. He said that he thought it was a nice program. I didn't want to ruin it for him, but I did ask if he had noticed that the first three heros cast whites as villians? He said that he hadn't noticed, but once I mentioned it he felt that it was true. To this he laughed at the absurdity and shrugged his shoulders. I let it drop.
It would be interesting to me to hear what other graduation, er culmination stories are out there. I'd like to know what's going on in your area.
That's true! The good old Stone Age, that is. Although this topic is about grad-er-culminations, I've been attending events at my grandkids' school. Everything is "multicultural," including the main performers, the speakers, everything. Nothing to point toward the history or culture of America, oh no. Iranian dancers and drummers, the ethnic princpal expanding on the "Character word of the month" whether it be caring, honesty, peace, etc. That, on top of Santa Monica putting a stop to games of tag because "the kids that are slower feel bad." Goodnight Irene, it's too late to close the gate, the nuts have escaped the looneybins! They're "educating" our children. (No, my son won't agree to homeschooling, I've tried!)
He made it at the University of Arizona graduation in May.
However, on the bright side, there were only 4 graduates in Women's Studies (a/k/a Department of Social Carcinoma)-and they were bood during their entirely predicable rants.
I wish Jeff Foxworthy and some good old boys had been there with their 16 gauge shotguns to give the little culminaters a real lesson in life.
That's the last time I post without reviewing.
The wrong cut & paste quote preceeded the last comment.
It's a lot funnier when it follows the correct quote:
At the conclusion we were all herded outside for "something special". As we stood around about thirty doves were released into the air to fly away. .
SHEESE!
"PULL!"
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