Diversity in thought. - Page 2

Atlmom · 05-31-2007, 07:36 PM

Tolerance is not something our society values or teaches. Everyone is supposed to act a certain way, dress a certain way and think a certain way. High schools are probably the least tolerant places in the world. Outside of that, colleges that have protective legislation limiting the numbers on out of state students are fostering this small mind/similar mind mentality. Diversity of thought is a big issue of mine....we seem to have the color diversity down as our local school is 30 white/30 black/30 asian/ 10 other....but the tolerance of people who simply like different things or do different activities is totally absent. Still the jocks/cheerleaders rule the roost. Maybe in another 30 years it won't be like that.

tega · 05-31-2007, 08:03 PM

I think we tend to associate with people who have the same views as ourselves. My undergraduate school had no diversity of thought, which was very fustrating for me. I am very out-spoken individual and as soon as I start to provide a different view contrary to what they all believe I am avoided by the rest of the class.

I am currently in a grad program at a school where almost everyone is liberal and it is amazing how I don't feel any sympathy for conservatives whenever they are shouted down.

WashDad · 05-31-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tega

I am currently in a grad program at a school where almost everyone is liberal and it is amazing how I don't feel any sympathy for conservatives whenever they are shouted down.

That's academic open-mindedness for you. It's also about the same as it was when I was in college back during the Polk administration. Colleges haven't been about open discourse or free exchange of ideas in my lifetime.

ucsd_ucla_dad · 05-31-2007, 08:11 PM

At work quite a few years ago I used to play chess with a colleague at lunch. We also used to go boogie-boarding at lunch quite a bit. Whe it came to politics we were quite opposite - he a liberal and me not. For me, and I hope for him, it actually made for a more interesting time and more interesting conversations. If we'd have both agreed on everything the conversation probably would not have lasted long as we both just nodded our heads and echoed each other. Having opposing viewpoints allowed us to have longer and more interesting conversations. Neither of us ever 'convinced' the other to change their viewpoints but the discussion was still interesting. One can't do this with everyone though since too many people start to get angry and combative if your POV doesn't happen to coincide with theirs.

emeraldkity4 · 06-01-2007, 01:32 AM

Amy actually wasn't off track with the PTA against the military
I am not that familiar with the PTA, when I was chair- it was at a school that was a "PTO" not a PTA

However this is the three pronged mission of the Washington state PTA

Quote:

# o support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;

# To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children;

# To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

Considering that Garfield is an inner city school, where youth are recruited more heavily than in neighborhoods that are more affluent- I think from that perspective- speaking out was well within the guidelines of the PTA

The PTA also gets involved in political issues all the time- they lobby in the capitol quite regularly, Ive done it myself.
Thats like saying the NEA isn't political

Quote:

Garfield does not allow organizations that promote illegal activities to recruit students to perform those activities, nor does it allow organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation to recruit on campus.

My daughter belongs to a student outdoor activity/education club that in years past was sponsored by the BoyScouts, however, since the BoyScouts discriminate, it now is sponsored by the Mountaineers club, even though the monetary contribution is different.

The military discriminates and performs illegal acts- makes sense that they don't want minors recruited to participate

ucsd_ucla_dad · 06-01-2007, 01:55 PM

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The military discriminates and performs illegal acts...

I don't think this is true. By law the military is required to operate within the law even though some people may not like the way the laws are written. That doesn't mean that that every now and then an individual in the military doesn't break the rules any more than anyone in any other organization but I don't think the military is practicing illegal discrimination or breaking laws.

Tuition Dad · 06-01-2007, 02:12 PM

As a former military person, I just thought I would give a little input here. First of all, I think the military has every right to visit and recruit in high schools. That being said, I have no problems with other folks being allowed to speak too to give a different viewpoint. Before anybody enters the military, they need to have all the information they can get. My wife firmly disagrees with me on this, it is a subject we just don’t discuss much!

EK - Although there is a lot positive to be said for certain schools in the Seattle School District, I’m glad I live far enough out that I don’t have to worry about the negative side.

raimius · 06-01-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emeraldkity4

The military discriminates and performs illegal acts- makes sense that they don't want minors recruited to participate

That's a pretty harsh accusation. Care to explain it?

There is a difference between lawful and unlawful discrimination. I wouldn't want to soldier next to me going into diabetic shock or having a life threatening asthma attack while under fire! Thus, we have rules that create discriminatory recruiting practices. They are for a reason AND legal.