Slice of Life Day 13: A Conversation Worth Having


Tomorrow is the #Enough! National School Walkout at 10 AM. This morning at school, we had a brief meeting to discuss another matter, and someone asked what our preparations for the walkout should be. We were told that our school would not be observing the walkout, rather we would be asking our students to "walk up" by committing 17 random acts of kindness instead.

On the surface, this seems like a reasonable thing to ask of our students. Certainly this world could be made into a better place if we all committed more random acts of kindness. But as I thought more deeply about the origins of each of these two ideas about what tomorrow should hold, I became more convinced that the #17for17 idea is not a good one. 

As I did a little unofficial digging, the idea of the "walkup instead of walkout" seems to have originated in a Facebook post from a retired teacher (read: an adult). It reeks of the idea that the walkout, being organized as it is by students, needs adult intervention. This is not okay. For one of the first times in recent history, American teenagers are engaged and focused. They are united. They are finding their voices, and they are speaking out about something that matters.

Why do adults, no matter how well-meaning, need to co-opt this movement and tell teenagers they are doing it wrong? In spite of the fact that the post looks on the surface to be innocuous and encouraging students to notice those around them who may feel isolated or alone, in essence this action is telling students that the adults and lawmakers are passing the buck to them, again. "Well, kids, we know it sucks that this 18-year-old who has already been flagged for psychological issues multiple times can legally buy a gun, but maybe you could invite him to sit with you at lunch and then he won't shoot you in the face!"

In conclusion, we were told that if students choose to participate in the walkout, there will be consequences. They will be detained for a day of ISS. A student asked me today what I would do if students walk out of my class at 10:00 tomorrow. I answered honestly that I don't know. 

I hope that one of my students will force me to decide tomorrow.  I hope they find their voice, and I hope I am brave enough to find mine.

Comments

  1. I want to stand and cheer that someone feels like I do. This whole walk up not out thing bugs the crap out of me. It's adults telling kids how they should act. But the adults still aren't listening. The only time most adults pay attention to teenagers is if they are doing something wrong. And for some reason, most adults think this walk out is wrong. I hope a lot of kids walk out tomorrow and stand up for what they believe.

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  2. Sigh. I hear you. And I agree with you. I'm not a teacher, so I don't know what I would do in your shoes either, but I am the mother of a middle schooler. We talked about appropriate behavior (meaning, only walk out if you believe in the protest, not just to skip class...and please, oh please, don't act like a clown!) and we talked about accepting consequences, that sometimes standing up for what you believe in will get you in trouble. My son's school is allowing space for the walkout and conversations afterward, which I'm grateful for. I hope that the kids in your school will follow their hearts and minds, wherever that may lead. I'm sure you'll find a way to support them, too.

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  3. Our kids are being encouraged to stay in the building for safety purposes. They seemed to understand that they weren't being told no--just asking them to be safe.

    It will be an interesting day for sure!

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  4. Our school is creating an assembly. It’s easy to see that it is meant to control teens.

    The walk up isn’t a bad idea, but I do not like adults trying to control something meaningful for kids.

    The more we honor the choices kids make in moments like this the more we show we trust them.

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  5. We have actually sent out a message saying that if students choose to walk at 10:00 for 20 minutes that it would be okay. Our principal will be with the students. Since I am recovering from pneumonia, I have decided that I should probably stay nice and warm in my classroom.

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  6. You make some really great points! I hope that students are not punished for believing in something and standing up for it. ~JudyK

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  8. Yes! I've just written a very similar post (https://someoneknowsblog.wordpress.com). Your reflections very much resonate with me!

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  9. So many schools with so many different approaches. Most of the schools near me (including my own) will not have consequences for students who participate and in fact, have created writing opportunities for students after the walk-out. Our state's Education Commissioner even sent a letter to all school districts, calling the walk-out a learning opportunity and urged schools to take advantage of it. We'll see ...
    Kevin

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  10. I think it's very sad that in a democracy, we choose to punish students who exercise their right to peaceful protest. Why punish students who are participating in a national moment of teen activism rather than use this as a learning opportunity?

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  11. I am proud of students who choose any number of ways to speak out. I will be eager to watch what occurs today across the country. We will all learn from the experience. I hope you let us know how it went to day at your school.

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