09-01-2012, 09:39 PM
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.s...asses.html
I tend to agree with the opinionator in this piece. Forced campaigning in a department for one candidate or another has no place in a state school (Private schools are another matter, never experienced it in MY college, but Engineering schools tend to be a bit less political). Campaigning ON campus ? Oh yeah, of course, no problem. Young people need to be exposed to different opinions and political options. It's a healthy process, and keeping the dialogue fresh means keeping it healthy.
I fully think that educators should encourage election-age students to register to vote, and to exercise their civic duty. But telling them HOW to vote ? nu-uh. "Vote your conscience, do your research." is the most any good educator should have to say.
My children's 20 something friends often ask me how I will vote, and why. I respectfully decline to answer. I simply encourage them to exercise their minds, review the facts and the promises, and make the decision that they think will best serve them, their friends, families, town, state, country, and the world. In that order.
Telling someone WHAT to do is not teaching them anything. It's dictating and controlling. If you teach your children how to think, they will usually reach the right conclusions (for themselves). I'm quite certain that my children have different political opinions than I do. It's cool.
I tend to agree with the opinionator in this piece. Forced campaigning in a department for one candidate or another has no place in a state school (Private schools are another matter, never experienced it in MY college, but Engineering schools tend to be a bit less political). Campaigning ON campus ? Oh yeah, of course, no problem. Young people need to be exposed to different opinions and political options. It's a healthy process, and keeping the dialogue fresh means keeping it healthy.
I fully think that educators should encourage election-age students to register to vote, and to exercise their civic duty. But telling them HOW to vote ? nu-uh. "Vote your conscience, do your research." is the most any good educator should have to say.
My children's 20 something friends often ask me how I will vote, and why. I respectfully decline to answer. I simply encourage them to exercise their minds, review the facts and the promises, and make the decision that they think will best serve them, their friends, families, town, state, country, and the world. In that order.
Telling someone WHAT to do is not teaching them anything. It's dictating and controlling. If you teach your children how to think, they will usually reach the right conclusions (for themselves). I'm quite certain that my children have different political opinions than I do. It's cool.
