Have you ever noticed that some people constantly complain that schools have failed our children, and yet, when election season arrives, those same complainers are the first to accuse political candidates of being out-of-touch members of the "intellectual elite"? How can we expect our children to cultivate a thirst for knowledge or value educational pursuits if the message we propagate in our political world is that intelligence and reason are traits to disdain?
Our children are not stupid. They grasp our hypocrisy. Unfortunately, it affects them too.
When we tell our children that a good education is important and urge them to work hard in school, but in the next breath berate political opponents because of their intellectual achievements, we signal to our children that our words regarding the importance of education are hollow. They quickly deduce that ignorance is the more highly valued prize.
What's sad about America is that our kids are right!
I agree. Every time I hear a pundit use the word "elite" in a derogatory manner it makes me flinch.
ReplyDeleteJust as no one questions the "elite" vanguard that protects our high-ranking officials, so too should the nation respect the "elite" intellectuals to whom we have entrusted the care of our nation's government.