I had the privilege this morning to go on a walk with my teenage son. We got up early and took a little walk before starting the rest of our day.
As we walked, we had a chance to talk and think through some things that I decided to share here.
First, I want to say that I think I am a fairly decent parent. I love my kids. I try not to over-burden them with too may of life's problems. I do not however try to shelter them from the realities of the world. I have two sons who are healthy and intelligent. I am proud of the way they are both growing and am confident that they are growing to become Godly young men.
So Josh and I were walking this morning and talking a little about a lot. We talked politics, religion, culture, art, social anthropology, you name it. (I love that my boy is smart enough to have these conversations.) We talked about drama, and history. We talked about education in general. We just generally enjoyed spending time together.
As we walked and talked, the topic came to age and cultural norms. Josh asked a question about when states began requiring specific ages for kids to drive and things just sort of rolled from there. (anyone who knows me will attest that I can make strange connections between topics.) So the conversation sort of transitioned through several inter-related topics about society and age. I have been thinking on some of these things ever since.
1.) Why is it that we as a culture view those societies that still have teens in positions of personal responsibility as barbaric?
This question speaks about the way Americans often view cultures that consider young teens adults. Cultures that would have a 16 year old leading a hunting party heading a family. I concede that these are generally hunter / gatherer or farming societies. I submit that opportunities for higher education in these cultures are not widely available. These factors do not negate the fact that these youth are filling roles within their communities that are reserved for "grown adults" in the "civilized" world.
Are the youth there any more mature? Are American youth any less so?
Do we handicap our children by not allowing them to take on responsibilities beyond the schoolwork? Can our kids handle more than we ask of them? Are those other cultures expecting their youth to do too much? Are these kids being robbed of their "childhood?"
I do not claim to have answers to these questions that are absolute. I believe there is middle ground. Both sides have merit at points.
I remember the absolute turmoil that was adolescence. I recall with full detail the emotional / hormonal upheaval that made sound decision making a challenge. I ws of course raised in a typical western home. I had little expected of me beyond my school and chores. I knew nothing of the stress that made up the real world. I certainly remember feeling that too much was expected of me and that I had too much to worry about.
So how is it that kids across the globe can take on tasks and responsibilities that we in America would often reserve for those 18 and over? How is it that these kids can achieve these things. Are their bodies not going through the same hormonal / emotional storms that mine went through? What gives?
Well, I think the answer lies in management / parenting philosophy. The answers lie in the training and trust areas. I am certain you think I am nuts now. Allow me to explain.
Many managers are afraid to train their subordinates. They feel that if the employee becomes too independent that the manager will not be needed and will lose their job. This flawed logic is pervasive throughout the management world. Many parents likewise are fearful to teach their children because they need to be needed. Mommy doesn't want little Joey to grow up so fast.
Both sides of this philosophy are flawed. A parent's JOB is to raise children to become productive, independent, contributory members of society. In this the parent ensures the survival of the culture and society. The manager who wishes to advance would do well to train his replacement. He is best served demonstrating to his own manager that he has taught his staff to step up when he is promoted. Being the only person who can do something only means you will always do it. If you teach others to do the tasks you will be given new and more rewarding tasks.
I believe we as a society sometimes make this same mistake. We fail to teach our youth to fend for themselves. (interestingly by "educating" them." We fill our kids with book knowledge and fail to prepare them to fend for themselves so that we will always be needed.
Other cultures love their children and value the contributions their kids make. They teach the skills needed to survive. They expect their kids to produce. They expect them to make sure that others produce as well. In this way, a parent knows that society will carry on without them. They know that their children can take care of themselves and their parents should the need arise.
We debate whether to allow a teen to drive. We question the proper age to start working. We have no idea when our kids graduate from school it they can do anything to provide for themselves or us.
So who is right? I don't know. I certainly feel that education is essential. I believe we need to challenge our own ideas about what our kids are capable of. We need to raise the bar and expect achievement and personal responsibility. Kids need to be able to be kids. They do not need to have the worries of adulthood. They do need to have responsibility.
I want my boys to thrive. I want them to know, when they leave my home, that they have been prepared for life. I want to know that they will be able to provide for themselves and their community. I won't take an average kid with a side of mediocrity. I want exceptional kids with a side of excellence.
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Monday, March 23, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Stimulus?!?
Stimulus?
Okay, please explain to me how $34 every 2 weeks is going to stimulate the economy. $68 a month won't even cover a nice night out with the wife.
Okay, so a local business man makes some really bad business decisions. He gets a bit behind in his bills. He defaults and can't make his rent and goes out of business. Sad Day.
Car Company, bank, hedge fund, etc makes some really bad business decisions. He gets a bit behind in his bills.Government writes them a check so hey can throw a party and celebrate their ineptitude.
I simply don't get it. Now I will get an extra $400 spread over the year to help stimulate the economy and invigorate business. HMMM.
Why is it that it feels like the only thing being stimulated is my prostate? I am being told by my governmental leaders that this will help us recover from this severe economic downturn. ......How?
It they took the same money they have given to the companies and gave it to the citizens, we would turn things around in short order. If the population who make less than $200,000 received say $30,000, the entire face of America would change.
Debts would be paid off. which means banks would be solvent again. People could afford to buy new cars. Homes could be bought. In short... Lives would be changed.
By adopting the fair tax, the government would begin to recoup the initial expense as the economy grew.
Part of the problem with the last few stimulus packages have been the size of the checks. People were not impressed or motivated by such small amounts of money. Gas was $4. Mortgages were behind by far more than the checks could even touch.
The real issue however, will have to be change. People will have to make a fundamental change in how they view their money. They will have to begin looking seriously at living within their means. Nothing will fix the problem until we fix our approach.
Okay, please explain to me how $34 every 2 weeks is going to stimulate the economy. $68 a month won't even cover a nice night out with the wife.
Okay, so a local business man makes some really bad business decisions. He gets a bit behind in his bills. He defaults and can't make his rent and goes out of business. Sad Day.
Car Company, bank, hedge fund, etc makes some really bad business decisions. He gets a bit behind in his bills.Government writes them a check so hey can throw a party and celebrate their ineptitude.
I simply don't get it. Now I will get an extra $400 spread over the year to help stimulate the economy and invigorate business. HMMM.
Why is it that it feels like the only thing being stimulated is my prostate? I am being told by my governmental leaders that this will help us recover from this severe economic downturn. ......How?
It they took the same money they have given to the companies and gave it to the citizens, we would turn things around in short order. If the population who make less than $200,000 received say $30,000, the entire face of America would change.
Debts would be paid off. which means banks would be solvent again. People could afford to buy new cars. Homes could be bought. In short... Lives would be changed.
By adopting the fair tax, the government would begin to recoup the initial expense as the economy grew.
Part of the problem with the last few stimulus packages have been the size of the checks. People were not impressed or motivated by such small amounts of money. Gas was $4. Mortgages were behind by far more than the checks could even touch.
The real issue however, will have to be change. People will have to make a fundamental change in how they view their money. They will have to begin looking seriously at living within their means. Nothing will fix the problem until we fix our approach.
Language and kid's shows.
I am writing this as a true stream of conscious piece. I am not formatting, or grammar checking. I am just writing to get it down. Hey! It's my Blog. Deal.
I have mentioned before that I am a lover of language. I believe it is important to be able to express myself clearly. I too believe it is important to teach our children to communicate well.
So for this pet peeve, I am going to openly attack some beloved friends of my children and my own past.
I have a three year old son. He simply loves to watch TV as most Young Americans do. Among his favorite shows a few are great. Some however, really push my buttons as a parent.Let me break this down as a list of shows I have issues with.
Sesame Street:
Alright, I know I just stepped on a few toes. (see Disclaimer.) Bear with me. I love the show at large. When we were kids, we learned to count with a lovable vampire. I learned to share, be kind, and read from Big Bird, Ernie, Oscar, and even Snuffy.
A few years back though a new character was introduced that changed things for me in a bad way. This little, adorable, red monster loves to sing and dance. He loved to talk to his pet fish. He also had a problem with personal pronouns. This little guy speaks incessantly in the third person. It is always, "Elmo loves you." It is never "I."
So whats the problem. I don't really know. It just hits my button. I just believe we should be teaching our kids to speak while we are teaching them to read and count. Just once, I wish i could hear Big Bird correct the little red fart and tell him that we use I, and My instead of using our name.
I never said these were all reasonable or anything, but they are after all my Pet Peeves.
Wonderpets and Loony Toons:
I am sure some of you who have no kids are going to have to Google one of these. I'll give you a brief overview just so you can make it through the blog.
Wonderpets is a strangely repetitive children's show which features 3 class room pets that travel the glove to rescue animals in trouble. Same tune each episode with new lyrics sung badly. True Baby Crack if ever such a thing existed.
Loony tunes of course are the fun-loving band of regulars. Slapstick comedy put to the music of great composers.
So what's my problem with these shows? Well, I have the same problem with two characters. Each Character features a character that has never learned to pronounce their Rs.
Huh?
Think Elmer Fudd. Hunting "Wabbits." Wonderpets has a little duck with the same issue. It is probably cute to a lot of parents. Many Young children like these characters because they share this affliction. I am sure this is one reason the writers have put these little guys in the shows in the first place.
Okay, so why is it a problem?
Well, I have a problem with a show normalizing something that we should be trying to fix. I again an sure this sounds insensitive. They have speech impediments right? I don't know. I am not a speech pathologist. I leave that to the pros. (Elizabeth, let me know eh?) I do know that every friend I had as a youth who had this problem eventually "outgrew" it.
Why do we want our children to hear this as normal and then try to train them to hear the sounds? I simply feel this is a problem. It bugs me. It is my pet peeve. It is not necessarily reasonable. I guess it would be like having a character pick his nose or wet himself as part of his normal persona. It sends a mixed message.
I hate that this entry is so poorly written. I simply sat down to write. I let the words come. I know the grammar is bad. I recognize this would be a poorly graded paper. Part of me likes the irony of that. I am writing about proper linguistic communication and I am writing like some uneducated dolt. Maybe I'll rewrite it some day. Maybe I'll format it and make it all pretty. I'll re-read it and make certain my grammar is up to snuff. I doubt it though. The more I think about it, the more I thing perhaps leaving it as is will reinforce the point I was trying to make in the first place. Who knows.
Hey, What shows or characters gut under your skin? Why. I never said it had to make sense to everyone. What gets your goat? Go ahead and gripe. You'll feel better.... Really.
I have mentioned before that I am a lover of language. I believe it is important to be able to express myself clearly. I too believe it is important to teach our children to communicate well.
So for this pet peeve, I am going to openly attack some beloved friends of my children and my own past.
I have a three year old son. He simply loves to watch TV as most Young Americans do. Among his favorite shows a few are great. Some however, really push my buttons as a parent.Let me break this down as a list of shows I have issues with.
Sesame Street:
Alright, I know I just stepped on a few toes. (see Disclaimer.) Bear with me. I love the show at large. When we were kids, we learned to count with a lovable vampire. I learned to share, be kind, and read from Big Bird, Ernie, Oscar, and even Snuffy.
A few years back though a new character was introduced that changed things for me in a bad way. This little, adorable, red monster loves to sing and dance. He loved to talk to his pet fish. He also had a problem with personal pronouns. This little guy speaks incessantly in the third person. It is always, "Elmo loves you." It is never "I."
So whats the problem. I don't really know. It just hits my button. I just believe we should be teaching our kids to speak while we are teaching them to read and count. Just once, I wish i could hear Big Bird correct the little red fart and tell him that we use I, and My instead of using our name.
I never said these were all reasonable or anything, but they are after all my Pet Peeves.
Wonderpets and Loony Toons:
I am sure some of you who have no kids are going to have to Google one of these. I'll give you a brief overview just so you can make it through the blog.
Wonderpets is a strangely repetitive children's show which features 3 class room pets that travel the glove to rescue animals in trouble. Same tune each episode with new lyrics sung badly. True Baby Crack if ever such a thing existed.
Loony tunes of course are the fun-loving band of regulars. Slapstick comedy put to the music of great composers.
So what's my problem with these shows? Well, I have the same problem with two characters. Each Character features a character that has never learned to pronounce their Rs.
Huh?
Think Elmer Fudd. Hunting "Wabbits." Wonderpets has a little duck with the same issue. It is probably cute to a lot of parents. Many Young children like these characters because they share this affliction. I am sure this is one reason the writers have put these little guys in the shows in the first place.
Okay, so why is it a problem?
Well, I have a problem with a show normalizing something that we should be trying to fix. I again an sure this sounds insensitive. They have speech impediments right? I don't know. I am not a speech pathologist. I leave that to the pros. (Elizabeth, let me know eh?) I do know that every friend I had as a youth who had this problem eventually "outgrew" it.
Why do we want our children to hear this as normal and then try to train them to hear the sounds? I simply feel this is a problem. It bugs me. It is my pet peeve. It is not necessarily reasonable. I guess it would be like having a character pick his nose or wet himself as part of his normal persona. It sends a mixed message.
I hate that this entry is so poorly written. I simply sat down to write. I let the words come. I know the grammar is bad. I recognize this would be a poorly graded paper. Part of me likes the irony of that. I am writing about proper linguistic communication and I am writing like some uneducated dolt. Maybe I'll rewrite it some day. Maybe I'll format it and make it all pretty. I'll re-read it and make certain my grammar is up to snuff. I doubt it though. The more I think about it, the more I thing perhaps leaving it as is will reinforce the point I was trying to make in the first place. Who knows.
Hey, What shows or characters gut under your skin? Why. I never said it had to make sense to everyone. What gets your goat? Go ahead and gripe. You'll feel better.... Really.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Pet Peeve: Stupid Insensitivity
Stupid Insensitivity:
Okay, I am going to tell a story to illustrate my point here.
First: A little history for those who don't know me that well.
I am legally Blind. My vision corrected is 20/400 . For most of you that means that I see about 5% what you do. I read very close to the page and I have done so for my entire life. (News paper has been known to smudge my nose.) I suffer (the medical term not mine) from Ocular Albinism and Nystagmus. I am color blind to boot. Ocular Albinism means I have no pgment within my eyes and have very little pigmentt in my skin and hair. My appearance does differ however, from what most associate with an Albino. (They generally have what a form of Oculo Cutaneous Albinism.) Nystagmus means my eyes "dance" or move uncontrollably. Low vision is a result of the eye not developing correctly.
(Don't hold up your fingers and ask. It's terribly droll and tells you nothing about me. I does however, tell me volumes about you. ;-)
The Stage is Set. Food Court. Market Square Mall in Decatur GA. October 1988. A seventeen year-old high school student is filling out his tax forms on the first day of his new job. Chic-Fil-A cup on the table, He is hunched over the micro-type, working hard to decipher the alien forms.
A couple is seated at a nearby table. Mother and teenage daughter. They are eating and enjoying a little "girl time."
So here I am. I am filling out these strange legal documents. I am more than a little stressed.
Mom (from the table next door) leans over and says, "Damn! you need some new glasses!"
Now you can imagine I am a little taken aback by this. I mean, I have never had a problem talking to any one who wanted to know about my visual difficulties. I take it as my duty to be an educator and advocate to the general public.
I look over at her and promptly reply, "Damn! you need some new manners!"
Daughter is beginning to sink below the table. I am not sure if it is out of embarrassment or simply to avoid the conflict. But she remains silent and is literally sinking in her seat.
Mom exclaims the she "never."
I reply that perhaps she "should have."
I am thoroughly mad and she is as well. She promptly picks up her bag and storms off. Her daughter slinking after.
This story gets to me on several levels as I grow older. I can be proud that I did not allow her to go unanswered. I can be disappointed that I let her get to me. I can also be upset that I messed one of the best come-backs I have ever thought of.
"Maybe so, but you need a new brain and some manners. I can go to a DR for mine. Where are you going to go?"
Anyway, I digress.
My point here is this.
Why is it that some people feel they can talk to me about me handicap as though it is not one?
If I were an amputee, I would never hear a stranger say that I walk "almost as bad" as they.
I here it all the time though from customers and others regarding my vision. I often get the, "Your eyes are almost as bad as mine." I generally ignore it. They are not worthy of the education I can provide. It simply amazes me that they seem to see nothing wrong with it.
Would these same people say similar things to a deaf person? do they tell granny to get a new hip because she needs a walker? Worse, would they address a person of a different race and suggest they get a new skin color? (Although our society has had times.)
I can not control how God made me. These are God's fingerprints you see here. I get by much better than many of those who have similar or worse problems. I am extremely grateful for the little vision I do have.
I can easily forgive a child with innocent curiosity. I gladly speak about my vision with anyone who has genuine interest and concern. What I see is less than many on a physical level. I see far more than many with my heart, mind, and soul. Education is a major role in the life of any person with a disability.
So why, after more than 20 years do I remember this one encounter more than any other?
I really can not say. It may be because of the stress load that it compounded. It brought to light the insecurities I was feeling as I began a new career. It brought what many call my invisible handicap into the visible realm.
I am not sure. I just know that this one incident has in many ways molded who I am. Would this woman ever remember it? Who knows? She made a difference in my life. I do not thank her for it. I do not condemn her either. I simply hope that her daughter learned something that day about being sensitive. I am sure she learned something she didn't want to learn about her mother.
So here it is. If you want to know about my eyes.... Just ask. Do so with respect and you will get an honest answer. You will likely get a lesson in anatomy as well. I only hope I also teach you a little more about the people that have limitations and have to do things differently. I hope I can teach yu just how much we can accomplish. I hope to teach you a thing or two about hear, drive, strength, and faith too.
Okay, I am going to tell a story to illustrate my point here.
First: A little history for those who don't know me that well.
I am legally Blind. My vision corrected is 20/400 . For most of you that means that I see about 5% what you do. I read very close to the page and I have done so for my entire life. (News paper has been known to smudge my nose.) I suffer (the medical term not mine) from Ocular Albinism and Nystagmus. I am color blind to boot. Ocular Albinism means I have no pgment within my eyes and have very little pigmentt in my skin and hair. My appearance does differ however, from what most associate with an Albino. (They generally have what a form of Oculo Cutaneous Albinism.) Nystagmus means my eyes "dance" or move uncontrollably. Low vision is a result of the eye not developing correctly.
(Don't hold up your fingers and ask. It's terribly droll and tells you nothing about me. I does however, tell me volumes about you. ;-)
The Stage is Set. Food Court. Market Square Mall in Decatur GA. October 1988. A seventeen year-old high school student is filling out his tax forms on the first day of his new job. Chic-Fil-A cup on the table, He is hunched over the micro-type, working hard to decipher the alien forms.
A couple is seated at a nearby table. Mother and teenage daughter. They are eating and enjoying a little "girl time."
So here I am. I am filling out these strange legal documents. I am more than a little stressed.
Mom (from the table next door) leans over and says, "Damn! you need some new glasses!"
Now you can imagine I am a little taken aback by this. I mean, I have never had a problem talking to any one who wanted to know about my visual difficulties. I take it as my duty to be an educator and advocate to the general public.
I look over at her and promptly reply, "Damn! you need some new manners!"
Daughter is beginning to sink below the table. I am not sure if it is out of embarrassment or simply to avoid the conflict. But she remains silent and is literally sinking in her seat.
Mom exclaims the she "never."
I reply that perhaps she "should have."
I am thoroughly mad and she is as well. She promptly picks up her bag and storms off. Her daughter slinking after.
This story gets to me on several levels as I grow older. I can be proud that I did not allow her to go unanswered. I can be disappointed that I let her get to me. I can also be upset that I messed one of the best come-backs I have ever thought of.
"Maybe so, but you need a new brain and some manners. I can go to a DR for mine. Where are you going to go?"
Anyway, I digress.
My point here is this.
Why is it that some people feel they can talk to me about me handicap as though it is not one?
If I were an amputee, I would never hear a stranger say that I walk "almost as bad" as they.
I here it all the time though from customers and others regarding my vision. I often get the, "Your eyes are almost as bad as mine." I generally ignore it. They are not worthy of the education I can provide. It simply amazes me that they seem to see nothing wrong with it.
Would these same people say similar things to a deaf person? do they tell granny to get a new hip because she needs a walker? Worse, would they address a person of a different race and suggest they get a new skin color? (Although our society has had times.)
I can not control how God made me. These are God's fingerprints you see here. I get by much better than many of those who have similar or worse problems. I am extremely grateful for the little vision I do have.
I can easily forgive a child with innocent curiosity. I gladly speak about my vision with anyone who has genuine interest and concern. What I see is less than many on a physical level. I see far more than many with my heart, mind, and soul. Education is a major role in the life of any person with a disability.
So why, after more than 20 years do I remember this one encounter more than any other?
I really can not say. It may be because of the stress load that it compounded. It brought to light the insecurities I was feeling as I began a new career. It brought what many call my invisible handicap into the visible realm.
I am not sure. I just know that this one incident has in many ways molded who I am. Would this woman ever remember it? Who knows? She made a difference in my life. I do not thank her for it. I do not condemn her either. I simply hope that her daughter learned something that day about being sensitive. I am sure she learned something she didn't want to learn about her mother.
So here it is. If you want to know about my eyes.... Just ask. Do so with respect and you will get an honest answer. You will likely get a lesson in anatomy as well. I only hope I also teach you a little more about the people that have limitations and have to do things differently. I hope I can teach yu just how much we can accomplish. I hope to teach you a thing or two about hear, drive, strength, and faith too.
Pet Peeves
I know I am a grouch. I am a lovable grouch, but I like to gripe and complain about anything that happens to get people to listen to me. That’s just who I am. There are some things that get under my skin however. Things that really get my ire up. So you might think of this blog as the diary of a raving lunatic.
PET PEEVES:
I use the term pet here for a reason. We like our pets. Generally we nurture and feed them. My pet peeves are like that. I like having them as items to gripe about in the absence of any real complaint. These are things that I actually like to complain about.
Language:
Okay, If you have not read and agreed to the disclaimer, then you probably need to turn back now.
First off. I am a lover of language. I worked hard to learn Spanish and I truly believe that language is the best way to connect with people. Making that connection makes it possible to learn about people and become their friends.
That being said, I do not understand why a person would move to a country and not bother to learn the language of that country.
When I was headed back to Germany in 1991, I made a point of learning a basic vocabulary. I believe it is a basic courtesy. I didn't try to become fluent. I was visiting for a month. I did however try to be sure that I could communicate on some basic level. I did not simply expect the country to want to talk to me in my language.
Is it right that I have to consider whether my employees are bilingual because it is assumed that the client is not?
Why would someone handicap themselves by limiting their own ability to function within a society in which they choose to live? They limit their own options for employment. Thy restrict the areas they can shop. In short, they short-circuit the very opportunities they have come to America to enjoy. I know this is not the "politically correct" point of view, but try to follow my logic here. (Such as it is)
These people have made a decision to isolate themselves. I have little regard for their lack of respect for themselves, My country, and me.
There is a group who have a hard time communicating however, for whom it is not a choice. A group of people who modern business make little - if any - attempt to ensure a clear line of communications. -- The Deaf.
We live in a society where employers are excited about having an employee who speaks Hindi, Spanish, Urdu, etc. We are interested in appeasing those who have come to our country and not yet learned the language. (I am making the assumption that they will in fact be learning the language. Does that make me naive?)
Why is it that our public schools have a language requirement and Sign Language is not an option? We teach Latin, (dead language) French, Spanish, German. We even teach Russian and Japanese in some places. My son's school has even begun a program offering Mandarin Chinese. We offer all these choices yet don't see the value in teaching our children Sign Language?
We claim to be inclusive. We claim to be forward thinking. We claim to be sensitive to the needs of others, but we fail this one basic test. We fail to make the attempt to be inclusive and sensitive to a group of people who are marginalized by their disability. The person who makes America their home but fails to learn the language has isolated themselves by choice. The person who can not hear or speak due to a handicap are isolated by a society who chooses to ignore them. They are marginalized by a business community that appears to value the immigrant over the handicapped.
I know there is not a conscious movement afoot to alienate the deaf. I simply see that the education system and business community have simply "let it slide". The ratios are better for them if they focus on the other languages. It in no way however, is of any use to those who have no choice in their inability to communicate normally.
I can teach language to a person who cannot speak it. I cannot teach he deaf to hear.
So... Who has the responsibility to to bridge the communications gap? If language is a requirement for students, should we not be giving them the option to learn something that will help them? should we not be help them actually be the world citizens we claim we want them to be? Should we not give them the chance to demonstrate the sensitivity and inclusion we focus on?
Shouldn't we teach them to speak?
PET PEEVES:
I use the term pet here for a reason. We like our pets. Generally we nurture and feed them. My pet peeves are like that. I like having them as items to gripe about in the absence of any real complaint. These are things that I actually like to complain about.
Language:
Okay, If you have not read and agreed to the disclaimer, then you probably need to turn back now.
First off. I am a lover of language. I worked hard to learn Spanish and I truly believe that language is the best way to connect with people. Making that connection makes it possible to learn about people and become their friends.
That being said, I do not understand why a person would move to a country and not bother to learn the language of that country.
When I was headed back to Germany in 1991, I made a point of learning a basic vocabulary. I believe it is a basic courtesy. I didn't try to become fluent. I was visiting for a month. I did however try to be sure that I could communicate on some basic level. I did not simply expect the country to want to talk to me in my language.
Is it right that I have to consider whether my employees are bilingual because it is assumed that the client is not?
Why would someone handicap themselves by limiting their own ability to function within a society in which they choose to live? They limit their own options for employment. Thy restrict the areas they can shop. In short, they short-circuit the very opportunities they have come to America to enjoy. I know this is not the "politically correct" point of view, but try to follow my logic here. (Such as it is)
These people have made a decision to isolate themselves. I have little regard for their lack of respect for themselves, My country, and me.
There is a group who have a hard time communicating however, for whom it is not a choice. A group of people who modern business make little - if any - attempt to ensure a clear line of communications. -- The Deaf.
We live in a society where employers are excited about having an employee who speaks Hindi, Spanish, Urdu, etc. We are interested in appeasing those who have come to our country and not yet learned the language. (I am making the assumption that they will in fact be learning the language. Does that make me naive?)
Why is it that our public schools have a language requirement and Sign Language is not an option? We teach Latin, (dead language) French, Spanish, German. We even teach Russian and Japanese in some places. My son's school has even begun a program offering Mandarin Chinese. We offer all these choices yet don't see the value in teaching our children Sign Language?
We claim to be inclusive. We claim to be forward thinking. We claim to be sensitive to the needs of others, but we fail this one basic test. We fail to make the attempt to be inclusive and sensitive to a group of people who are marginalized by their disability. The person who makes America their home but fails to learn the language has isolated themselves by choice. The person who can not hear or speak due to a handicap are isolated by a society who chooses to ignore them. They are marginalized by a business community that appears to value the immigrant over the handicapped.
I know there is not a conscious movement afoot to alienate the deaf. I simply see that the education system and business community have simply "let it slide". The ratios are better for them if they focus on the other languages. It in no way however, is of any use to those who have no choice in their inability to communicate normally.
I can teach language to a person who cannot speak it. I cannot teach he deaf to hear.
So... Who has the responsibility to to bridge the communications gap? If language is a requirement for students, should we not be giving them the option to learn something that will help them? should we not be help them actually be the world citizens we claim we want them to be? Should we not give them the chance to demonstrate the sensitivity and inclusion we focus on?
Shouldn't we teach them to speak?
Disclaimer
Okay, First a disclaimer.
The thoughts and views expressed her are (mostly) my own.
1. I can not be held responsible for your interpretation of what I say.
2. I can not be expected to treat your bruised toes if my words happen to step on them.
3. What goes for toes goes, for egos.
4. I like to play Devil's advocate to make you think. If you don't like to think, that’s your fault.
5. It is understood that this is my blog. By reading it you are in fact ASKING for my opinion. If you don't like my opinion, you can write your own blog. I might ask for your opinion by reading it.
6. I like to be a little inflammatory in my topics. Read this with a nice glass of cold water to help cool your head.
7. Understand that writing is a form of expression. It does not convey sarcasm well. It can not show you my face or my eyes. That being said, don't think you can always tell when I am just kidding or when I am serious. I have a hard enough time knowing that myself.
8. I don’t know everything. I just like to sound that way. I will rarely admit this however so so make sure to make a copy of this for yourself. I’ll only deny saying it later.
9. I believe in a living God who created man in His image. I am a Christian and I write from that perspective. This is not a debatable topic for me. I'm not perfect. If I were, I wouldn't need a Savior.
10. Thanks for reading. You are really welcome to respond. I will however, NOT engage in open debate here. Friendly banter of course knows no bounds.
Okay…. On with the Grand Spectacle.
The thoughts and views expressed her are (mostly) my own.
1. I can not be held responsible for your interpretation of what I say.
2. I can not be expected to treat your bruised toes if my words happen to step on them.
3. What goes for toes goes, for egos.
4. I like to play Devil's advocate to make you think. If you don't like to think, that’s your fault.
5. It is understood that this is my blog. By reading it you are in fact ASKING for my opinion. If you don't like my opinion, you can write your own blog. I might ask for your opinion by reading it.
6. I like to be a little inflammatory in my topics. Read this with a nice glass of cold water to help cool your head.
7. Understand that writing is a form of expression. It does not convey sarcasm well. It can not show you my face or my eyes. That being said, don't think you can always tell when I am just kidding or when I am serious. I have a hard enough time knowing that myself.
8. I don’t know everything. I just like to sound that way. I will rarely admit this however so so make sure to make a copy of this for yourself. I’ll only deny saying it later.
9. I believe in a living God who created man in His image. I am a Christian and I write from that perspective. This is not a debatable topic for me. I'm not perfect. If I were, I wouldn't need a Savior.
10. Thanks for reading. You are really welcome to respond. I will however, NOT engage in open debate here. Friendly banter of course knows no bounds.
Okay…. On with the Grand Spectacle.
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