Taken For Granted

I can’t quite decide how I want to approach this. I have a lot of thoughts in my head, but no organized way to write them. I have been thinking a lot lately about our country and what people think we’re entitled to just because we live in America. There has been a lot of news lately about schools cutting budgets and therefore having to eliminate certain programs or classes. A district in the area recently cut their music program. I’ve heard of a nearby school cutting their extra physical education classes. Some have considered cutting athletics. Some are cutting teachers and having bigger class sizes. With every cut, there are more and more complaints. Each program has an argument for why they should stay in schools. The arguments are good. Obviously the programs are all going to have some sort of positive effect on students, or they wouldn’t have been added to the school in the first place. I think it’s hard to say that one program is more important than another. It’s not fair to say that music is far more helpful to students than PE. I understand that schools shouldn’t even be in the position where they have to cut programs. I understand that in America, one of the things we take pride in is our educational opportunities. I understand all that. I guess what I don’t understand is why we think we’re entitled to all this extra stuff.

I think we take pure, basic education for granted. Other countries have so many kids that would love to be educated in conditions like ours. They value their education that is given to them in huge classes and taught by only one teacher. They don’t have extra sports programs or music classes or aerobics or home economics. They just learn. The important stuff. Whatever happened to the basics? What’s wrong with going to school for just Math, English, Science, Social Studies? There were smart, genius musicians back in the day when kids didn’t get to go to music class during school. There were amazing athletes back when sports weren’t an expected part of school programs. There were healthy kids before PE. There were medical doctors before kids could take biology, chemistry, anatomy in school.

There's a quote that says, "together we have come to realize that for most men the right to learn is curtailed by the obligation to attend school". How true is that? We have this amazing right to learn and to attend school...but because we are so blessed to have it be of such importance in our country, we lose sight of what a great blessing it is. There is a foreign exchange student at Kuna that has been in a class or two of mine when I substitute. Most kids goof off and bag their work when there's a sub...not this kid. He is so focused on his textbooks and assignments. I have been told by a couple teachers that he is amazingly gifted and has an incredible desire to learn more. Not something you see in many American students.

I guess it’s the principle of cutting programs that bothers people. My sister and several of my relatives are school teachers…so I get the stress in budget cuts and the concern for our educational systems. I’m just tired of people thinking we’re entitled to all these great privileges. We are SO lucky to be in a country where we can learn about what we want, when we want, in a nice facility, with nice books, with desks, with binders and pencils and pens and highlighters, with so many other kids, with so many class choices. The fact that I, a 23 year old girl from Kuna, Idaho, can go to law school is amazing to me. I can get the loans I need. I can live in a little apartment. I can have textbooks. I mean…even being able to graduate from college in 4 years with my psych degree is a blessing.

I understand that we, as Americans, expect more and will always want something better. But can’t we step back and look at all the amazing privileges and opportunities we have in this country?! Obama’s been in office for awhile now. Despite the fears people had/have… I’m still living. I have a job. I have a roof over my head. I eat. I drive. I go to the doctor and get care. I am going to school in August. I have student loans. I go to church and get to practice my chosen religion. I have all my basic rights. Life is going on. I am blessed to have the opportunities that I do. I am grateful to be so privileged. The world continues to turn. The sun continues to rise. Get over it people. You’re not dead yet.