Advanced Citizenship

I was surprised to learn a Presidential debate, a school board meeting and a movie raised the same question: Have we quit participating in our own lives?

Television and newspapers are not designed to cull from the herd a qualified Commander in Chief. They set up ratings-driven jousting competitions whose bias is to entertain. Education and enlightenment are byproducts. We already know the modern media takes no moral responsibility in its reporting. Why, then, would we expect it to provide a neutral and meaningful forum for in-depth discussions on significant issues?

It wasn't always that way. In the Nixon/Kennedy debates, television provided an incredible opportunity for the masses to evaluate the two platforms and candidates. Nowadays, it promotes itself. I don't think we should underestimate the impact of Reality shows here, no more than we should underestimate the effect violent video games have on violence. Reality shows have developed in us a taste for entertainment decision-making. These shows often vote off the most capable players, encouraging and empowering us to make snap judgments using superficial criteria. When it comes to picking a President, some of us use other tools to be informed on the issues, but most of us don't.

A school board meeting last week brought to light a concern about a middle school history book which inaccurately teaches about Islam. What is the problem, I wondered to myself, until this intelligent woman questioned the School Board on the disparity of teaching religion in a school that disallows its children the right to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I listened to her voice crack with emotion as she wrestled with understanding the relevance of her son learning why Muslims face East as they kneel in prayer and explained the inaccuracies inherent in the textbook adopted by many of our nation's schools. I listened intently now as she cited passages describing the holy meaning of 'Jihad' without them mentioning the resulting terror that it has come to mean in the modern world. And when she pleaded with parents to listen to their children and become involved in their learning, I understood.

How incredible those words had to be said, that parents don't already actively participate. Education enlightens and promotes tolerance if it is impartial and balanced or it is propaganda. The danger isn't the topic as much as that we aren't paying attention.

I saw the movie Lions for Lambs yesterday. It was an interesting movie but not a comfortable experience. The movie explores the importance of recognizing and excising self-centeredness and complacency through dynamic participation. Whether we succeed or fail, the human experience dares us to engage in our world, to risk ourselves and take a stand.

I believe in education, as most of us do. I believe it is the key to diplomacy and taking the high road wherever possible. If we are to provide an even-handed foundation of philosophical enlightenment for our people, it needs to be taught in the schools. Along with a light dusting of religion where it pertains to human motives for significant historical events, we should teach what Socrates and Aristotle knew about advanced citizenship.

But we need to do more. We must demonstrate the personal responsibility each of us bears as Americans by actively and continually participating in the democratic process toward the goals for which we stand: One God. Indivisible. With Liberty and Justice for All.

It was Hillel who said: 'If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?'

Indeed.