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... As angry as parents were at
disruption, it strikes me they should perhaps be grateful to strikers for modeling values that, presumably, we most want our children to absorb - self-respect, willingness to stand up for themselves and work they do, honouring principles even at a personal cost, courage.
Another useful lesson, there for learning during work stoppage, was that of civility.
As garbage piled up in their schools, as washrooms were fouled beyond use, it must quickly have become apparent to students - as it does to their elders in looting that inevitably follows police strikes - how thin is our veneer of civilization...
It may well be worth a class or two, now that they've resumed, discussing why and how this happens and what it means." (1)
Yes, we all need to respect workers and know that our students are being force-fed pablum that will make them drones for a system that accredits only certain paladins who endure wishes and structures that exhibit so little compassion for cleaning up our messes. Yes, journalist makes an interesting story out of plebian strife but does he actually examine soulful roots of respect for each other and how parents seek easy answers rather than accept responsibility for education of themselves and their charges? If we paid janitors more than teachers would more respect occur? If teachers were paid on a non-union scale based on results and attendance of free choice by those who wished to learn what they are teaching, would teachers earn more that politicos or paladins of business? When will education and soul's growth be held in higher esteem? This is 'different-thinking' that Michel Foucault might well encourage.
Do doctors who graduated forty years ago keep up their skills, and do herbalists perform a better function in health maintenance? Is there a benefit to making more people able to become doctors in a hierarchy that includes chiropractors and nurse practitioners doing what they can to help us at lower pay? Is AMA interested in controlling number of competitors in their 'old boys club'? What amount of education does it take to make a really good lawyer? Is education as important as other skills not being taught? Have you met many ethical lawyers who actually tell you about their failures or foibles? What is necessary qualification to become a politician and who really knows enough to vote when they won't even address important issues? There are more efficient and effective ethical systems that have proven themselves over long periods of time. Elder councils who answer to needs of people who know they too will have opportunity to perform these roles are worth re-evaluation. Porto Allegro, Brazil involved people in a true participatory experiment that many thought would fail - it has succeeded. Asoka had real ecumenical and truly spiritual goals we can learn from. Words like ‘democracy' or 'representational government' do not ensure ethical bureaucracies with true compassion of an equal nature.
A sheepskin or a diploma does not accredit a person or ensure they know what they are doing, and why. 'Experts' are often salesmen from a few miles away who have a slide show that highlights only things we want to hear. The 'chit system' of education might allow students to find educational environments that work FOR them. If it works for each person - then it will benefit society as a whole. The top-down Platonic model that seeks to homogenize us into classes of some nefarious structure (whether communistic, democratic or fascist) is not creative application or maximization of resources.
Excerpted from my Encyclopedia which can be found at World-Mysteries.com Columnist in The ES Press Magazine Author of Diverse Druids Author of Diverse Druids
