Today our country is fragmented. Religion, politics, language, culture, race and wealth separate our people into isolated, and often hostile camps. We were once called the “melting pot”, affirming that this country would pull together, not disjoin, unlike groups of people. But today we have lost that title. In the face of this fragmentation of our people, there is one – just one – place where we still have a chance to unite into a single society, and that place is the public schools. The public school systems serve all our youth and give them a valuable gift that is not available anywhere else. Students meet each other on a level field in the classroom where color, religion, wealth and culture are mixed, and kids are just kids. The public school institution is the possible salvation for our country, and it must not be diminished or devalued by any means. The church is the place for religion, not the school. The home is the place for culture, not the school. The public schools must educate – that is, teach all relevant information about history, language, the arts and science. It cannot ban books. It cannot preach doctrine. And good schools never have. Good teachers – and there are many – encourage students to think, to question and to wonder. That is the way civilization moves forward and becomes better.
As important as teachers and facts, is the relationship between students. Tremendous value is gained through a young person’s association with other students. Tolerance, compassion, understanding and kindness are qualities that are not directly taught, but are learned through association and friendship.
Everyone cannot be a world traveler for a broader view of life, but everyone can share a piece of the world in a school classroom. I am passionately dedicated to the public schools of this country – it is our source of survival – our hope for the future of our country’s promise.