October 25, 2002
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
We each have the responsibility to continue the growth and evolution of humanity. Be aware that what you do and what you create will have a lasting impression on generations to come. With this awareness, create beauty that will nurture and sustain these future generations and contribute to a more loving and beautiful world for them to live in. Allow yourself to visualize and recognize what you can offer as an unconditional gift for the future of humanity.
-Voice of the Galaxy, by Stacia Alana-leah and Raymond Mardyks
Dear Mr. Solo Max
As I was reading the excerpt of John Taylor Gatto’s article I came to the realization that you had either not read it or not understood it.
Mr. Gatto’s plan does not take into consideration that if education was left up to the individual families or a decertified teacher in the neighborhood, a persons education always would be limited by those who taught them. This of course is not a problem for those coming from an educated household or rich enough to pay for a private tutor. What is not explained is, what to do with the children of the illiterate plumber whose wife works as a cashier at Walmart and did not finish 2nd grade. These children would never improve upon the status quo. The only things that their parents would be able to teach them is how to be a plumber or a cashier. Sure someone can become a self learner after 100 hours of being taught how to read, yet this assumes that all children have 100 hours of access to someone who can.
If we were to adopt Mr.Gatto’s proposal and leave education up to an unmanipulated free market economy it would ensure that Ed Eisner is the next CEO of Disney Schools. If we gave back citizens tax money and asked them to choose, the school which undercuts the others will have the most students. Large companies would come into the market and would soon monopolize the education system. This would let them choose the curriculum (i.e. the history of Mickey Mouse or Coca-cola Chemistry 101) which would in turn deviate even more from what Mr.Gatto believes should be taught. Not to mention what will happen to students whose parents can not afford to send their children to school.
It would seem that Mr.Gatto only wants to ensure that people from a below average economic background stay there while others try to make money on their backs. The present day system may teach the same thing to everyone, but tries to guarantee that every student has a base in which to work from and therefore as more options. At the age of six we send children our children to schools to ensure that they are taught the basics. Once they graduate from high school they are then free to learn in a manner which they see fit. Judging from your diary, I see you’ve made your choice. How was psycology class today, did you get to see another movie?
Ben Palmer
11:46pm. I'm been sleeping wired hours, not getting enough rest. Last night after playing pick-up basketball at Hillcrest Church, Tom, King James, and Max the Mandarin took me to play pool at Dooley's, where I had good chats with cats I've known a long time; Lindsay Wilson, Paul Farris, Wes Brown; then we were at the AQ till closing. Everything is very familiar-- maybe a little too predictable, but I only got one home. So often I've been in places I don't know anyone, which is fun too, ...really fun if you want to get your freak on. You can always go to the next town and put a wig on. Not that I do that, acting, adopting a new character, but I could, and knowing that, having that freedom is liberating. No one has any expectations.
Tom and I drove Gary the waiter back to his house and ate cookies in his kitchen till 3am. The night before I went to bed at twelve, but tossed till two thinking all the things I've gotta do, feeling stressed out, so I got up and worked on cleaning up email till four, then crashed fast. This morning I had crazy dreams about snakes again and thrashed around in bed till noonish. I gotta hit the sack now, cuz at 8am I'm going to a seminar on adult education put on by St.FX university at the Delta. It's the last day of a three course Donna is taking, and I thought I'd just go check it out.
I get into lots a classes for free. I just go. I ask the teachers and they don't mind me sitting in. They need to get paid somehow. The extraction of natural resources(wood, oil, minerals, etc.) and those who make big bucks should pay for it. Education should be free, especially people who want to be teachers, doctors or social workers. Education something that we as citizens pull together to do, because it benefits everyone.
School is a learning center. We are all students and teachers. People who can read and write teach those who can't. The teacher's job is to answer questions and inspire with their passion for poetry, wood working or whatever. There needs to be people of all ages at the centers. We'd work on different projects that are needed in the community and discuss issues. It could be group therapy around a campfire, a candle light pool side music recital, or any fun environment that allows us to enjoy the fruits of our labors, offering public recognition and creating opportunities to make connections.
