This morning I was having my coffee when I came across an article that really irritated me: http://www.statepress.com/article/2018/02/spopinion-do-not-let-asu-become-berkeley-in-wake-of-milo-yiannopoulos-event-in-phoenix
My reaction was not because I am a big supporter of Milo Yiannopolous even though I have heard many of his talks online. Aside from all of the satire and humor involved he is actually quite intelligent and difficult to refute if you choose to engage him in a debate because he always comes prepared. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64Y8VjbnKgg
He is also obnoxious and prides himself on being an internet troll and a provocateur so if you're going to hear him speak or ask him a question at one of his speaking engagements please know what you're getting yourself into. Further, if you're going to come at him with the same old tired rhetoric or call him names, well, you've been warned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTxSAjXpnqo&t=296s
He is also obnoxious and prides himself on being an internet troll and a provocateur so if you're going to hear him speak or ask him a question at one of his speaking engagements please know what you're getting yourself into. Further, if you're going to come at him with the same old tired rhetoric or call him names, well, you've been warned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTxSAjXpnqo&t=296s
Some would go as far as saying that he is mean and judgmental. Fair enough. I won't argue against that, especially after some of the links that I shared in this blog but how is he any different than say Bill Maher, other than the fact that he is a conservative (I normally don't write or post things this harsh but I figure most people are familiar with Maher)? I've seen Maher use the same type of language as Yiannopolous but people aren't starting riots over the fact that he is still on television.
Still, there are so many more things to get upset about during one's college years and one would hope that people would look at issues more important than someone exercising their First Amendment right to free speech. After all, we also have the right not to listen to people we don't agree with so either don't go to the talk or change the channel. It's that simple. In fact, I would invite everyone to let Bill Maher tell us what can happen when we spend too much time focusing on our feelings, especially when there are more important things to deal with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaC1-U8LIY0
Still, there are so many more things to get upset about during one's college years and one would hope that people would look at issues more important than someone exercising their First Amendment right to free speech. After all, we also have the right not to listen to people we don't agree with so either don't go to the talk or change the channel. It's that simple. In fact, I would invite everyone to let Bill Maher tell us what can happen when we spend too much time focusing on our feelings, especially when there are more important things to deal with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaC1-U8LIY0
The Real Problem
I have worked with teens for the past 22 years and it has been an amazing experience. Being a theology teacher means that I get to have discussions with students on topics that are rooted on the meaning of life and I can tell you such discussions can get really heavy really fast. However, being in education this long has also given me a first hand look of how the system panders young people and cares more about how they are feeling at that moment rather than teaching them how to deal with the real world.
Students are passed on to the next grade when at times they are not prepared academically and/or emotionally for the next step. When people ask me why it's because of the same nonsense that I have heard for years: studies show that not passing them hurts them. Really? So how are these students going to feel when they can't do the work at the next grade level since we already know that they can't perform at their current grade level? Aside from turning them off to school what other issues could that cause in their future?
In many cases students are also not held accountable in terms of their behavior. Too many times they are coddled when they need to be punished for behavior that needs to be documented as unacceptable both for the offending student and for the other students who are aware of the situation. Yes, educators need to see the underlying problem of what causes a certain type of behavior but not at the expense of not having a standard of behavior and/or protecting the other students' right to get an education and/or to feel safe at school.
In both cases the children are not being held accountable for their actions and worse than that, some are failing to see how this is going to affect their futures when this is becomes an ongoing way of handling student performance and behavior? Pandering to young people doesn't make them learn a thing as they will always look for a way out rather than take responsibility for their actions.
And I see it every day.
The fact that Arizona State University can't post the location of Yiannopolous' speech until the day before for fear of rioting is absolutely preposterous. But then again, the adults running this university are probably of the same mind set as those running the schools that pandered to these same students as they were coddled through the system. Therefore, it's time for tax payers who fund these institutions to tell these adults to start acting like mentors and not friends.
For example, when a students says: I don't feel safe with Milo here, respond with: Stay in your dorms or find something else to do. Or, you can say, I don't see the students who brought him here rioting over him being here. Aside from that, don't miss out on your teachable moment by reminding students that this is university so it's a supposed to be a place where ideas are exchanged while learning how to back up your arguments. But, what if it's hate speech? Well folks, you can't know where you stand with someone if they aren't allowed to say what's on their mind. Aside from that, we can't fix the problem if we don't know the problem so we can't fear extreme views if we truly want to help all students find their way in the real world.
The Real World is Messy
Like it or not, the real world is messy and universities need to tell their students the truth about the life that awaits them. And since many of them won't perhaps I can offer a few thoughts on the subject:
In both cases the children are not being held accountable for their actions and worse than that, some are failing to see how this is going to affect their futures when this is becomes an ongoing way of handling student performance and behavior? Pandering to young people doesn't make them learn a thing as they will always look for a way out rather than take responsibility for their actions.
And I see it every day.
The fact that Arizona State University can't post the location of Yiannopolous' speech until the day before for fear of rioting is absolutely preposterous. But then again, the adults running this university are probably of the same mind set as those running the schools that pandered to these same students as they were coddled through the system. Therefore, it's time for tax payers who fund these institutions to tell these adults to start acting like mentors and not friends.
For example, when a students says: I don't feel safe with Milo here, respond with: Stay in your dorms or find something else to do. Or, you can say, I don't see the students who brought him here rioting over him being here. Aside from that, don't miss out on your teachable moment by reminding students that this is university so it's a supposed to be a place where ideas are exchanged while learning how to back up your arguments. But, what if it's hate speech? Well folks, you can't know where you stand with someone if they aren't allowed to say what's on their mind. Aside from that, we can't fix the problem if we don't know the problem so we can't fear extreme views if we truly want to help all students find their way in the real world.
The Real World is Messy
Like it or not, the real world is messy and universities need to tell their students the truth about the life that awaits them. And since many of them won't perhaps I can offer a few thoughts on the subject:
1) People are not always going to agree with you. If you don't agree with a guest speaker then don't go to their talk. You are a college student now so perhaps you should take this time to study or do what I did when I was in college and wasn't in class or studying, which was WORK! I paid for a lot of my education and my job taught me how to be responsible and to appreciate my degree more than I would have if my parents paid for everything, including the damage I never caused since I was never part of a riot.
Further, do you plan on getting married? Talk about a way of life where you are around someone who might actually disagree with you. Instead of sitting there and crying about them not being the person you thought they were be an adult about it and find a way to make it work. Do you think guest speakers on college campuses are more important than having to sort through differences on how to raise children? If you can't handle a stranger that you might see from afar that has a different opinion on a social issue how are you going to handle a spouse who is right in front of you that will stand their ground during a strong disagreement?
2) On graduation day say goodbye to your friends and your safe space. Aside from the fact that it's time to get a real job you are also going to have to learn to deal with a real boss in a real world situation. Everyone has bad days at work and there are times when your boss is going to sit you down and lay out the law of the land. And once your boss is done with you they are not going to give you a coloring book and a safe space to hide because your meeting with them has already taken you away from the task that you are getting paid for. Perhaps you are used to running your mouth at college protests but please know that your boss has no time for such nonsense. At that point you have two options: you can resign or shut your mouth and get back to work. Guess which option real adults with real responsibilities pick.
Then there are those moments when you leave the mess at work and go home to your house that you're paying a mortgage on that is certain to have problems when it's least convenient for you (don't forget about your car that is certain to do the same). Of course that home also includes your children that are just as complicated as you if not worse because we don't know who you decided to have children with. All relationships are a challenge but they are always worth it.
Again, working with young people I get to hear about how much struggle they have in their lives when their parents freak out over the littlest things. Young people need stability and discipline and if you don't provide it for them then you're most likely the person that I have to see at the next disciplinary conference since your child doesn't seem to understand the idea that they are not the only student in my class that matters. Raising children is not easy but there are things that adults must do as parents and it's not fair to any child to have parents in their lives that don't teach them the right way to survive in the real world.
3) You have ambitions in life. Perhaps you want to own your own business or you are creative and want to see if you can come up with something that might change the world. That's great but the road will be full of bumps and bruises. If you do find success we all know that maintaining that success is in most cases harder than getting there. Does that sound uncomfortable? Well, it is and there is no other way to achieve your goals. Or, if you don't quite get what you hoped for there is still satisfaction in knowing that you did your best. Either way, everyone around you and in many cases you don't have time to deal with your feelings if you're in fact working towards your goal. In fact, while you're sitting their sulking over something that was done or said at your expense you are giving your competition one less person to deal with. Is this right, to more or less ignore the hurt that someone is feeling at that moment? Not necessarily, but the real world is not going to wait for you to feel better in order to continue the race.
Finally, you can't work towards your dreams if someone does the work for you. You will never achieve your dreams if your balled up in a safe space waiting for the storm to pass. Sometimes you must the storm and break through the barriers that are in front of you. That doesn't require courage, it requires commitment! Let Rocky Balboa tell you all about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk82j1jQw_8
Closing Reflection
For me, it's always best to close with a song. Here is The Real World by Queensryche. I can't find a video with lyrics so I posted them below the link to the video.We can't find the real world alone so it's time for adults to cowboy up and show these young people all that they need to know.
Finally, for the young people. Life is not always comfortable but we can't grow if we don't fail or hurt from time to time. We can't stand up strong if we don't learn to get up after we fall. Now go out and find the real world because you are more capable than you realize.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVI9IRSPnFY
The Real World by Queensryche
Carlos Arthur Solorzano
@csolorzano18
Then there are those moments when you leave the mess at work and go home to your house that you're paying a mortgage on that is certain to have problems when it's least convenient for you (don't forget about your car that is certain to do the same). Of course that home also includes your children that are just as complicated as you if not worse because we don't know who you decided to have children with. All relationships are a challenge but they are always worth it.
Again, working with young people I get to hear about how much struggle they have in their lives when their parents freak out over the littlest things. Young people need stability and discipline and if you don't provide it for them then you're most likely the person that I have to see at the next disciplinary conference since your child doesn't seem to understand the idea that they are not the only student in my class that matters. Raising children is not easy but there are things that adults must do as parents and it's not fair to any child to have parents in their lives that don't teach them the right way to survive in the real world.
3) You have ambitions in life. Perhaps you want to own your own business or you are creative and want to see if you can come up with something that might change the world. That's great but the road will be full of bumps and bruises. If you do find success we all know that maintaining that success is in most cases harder than getting there. Does that sound uncomfortable? Well, it is and there is no other way to achieve your goals. Or, if you don't quite get what you hoped for there is still satisfaction in knowing that you did your best. Either way, everyone around you and in many cases you don't have time to deal with your feelings if you're in fact working towards your goal. In fact, while you're sitting their sulking over something that was done or said at your expense you are giving your competition one less person to deal with. Is this right, to more or less ignore the hurt that someone is feeling at that moment? Not necessarily, but the real world is not going to wait for you to feel better in order to continue the race.
Finally, you can't work towards your dreams if someone does the work for you. You will never achieve your dreams if your balled up in a safe space waiting for the storm to pass. Sometimes you must the storm and break through the barriers that are in front of you. That doesn't require courage, it requires commitment! Let Rocky Balboa tell you all about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk82j1jQw_8
Closing Reflection
For me, it's always best to close with a song. Here is The Real World by Queensryche. I can't find a video with lyrics so I posted them below the link to the video.We can't find the real world alone so it's time for adults to cowboy up and show these young people all that they need to know.
Finally, for the young people. Life is not always comfortable but we can't grow if we don't fail or hurt from time to time. We can't stand up strong if we don't learn to get up after we fall. Now go out and find the real world because you are more capable than you realize.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVI9IRSPnFY
The Real World by Queensryche
Strange, the view from here
Words we spoke, forgotten at the time
Now replay in my mind
What went wrong, what was right
Looking back, I never was there for you
You didn't say, but I know it's true
Words we spoke, forgotten at the time
Now replay in my mind
What went wrong, what was right
Looking back, I never was there for you
You didn't say, but I know it's true
I can't find the real world alone
Every time I think I've won
I hear your voice inside, questioning
Where have you gone
Can't you remember feeling so alone
You always had the answer that I could not see
I hear your voice inside, questioning
Where have you gone
Can't you remember feeling so alone
You always had the answer that I could not see
I can't find the real world
I can't find the real world
I can't find the real world alone
I can't find the real world
I can't find the real world
I can't find the real world alone
I can't find the real world
I can't find the real world alone
I can't find the real world
I can't find the real world
I can't find the real world alone
Carlos Arthur Solorzano
@csolorzano18
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