Demons of Unrest
I am just finishing Erik Larson’s excellent book, The Demons of Unrest. This is a historical telling of the election of Abraham Lincoln and the runup to the beginning of the Civil War. The book demonstrates many similarities in the divisions among the population then as now. It does not suggest that we are headed for another such armed conflict, but the common elements of distrust and disagreement are clearly in place.
Though elected, the months from Lincoln’s election and his inauguration were fraught with danger as he was under constant threat of assassination. Lincoln was hated throughout the south and viewed as a threat to their very way of life. The south, with its paternalistic and chivalrous culture viewed Lincoln, and all who mocked and disparaged slavery, as weak and feckless men. I believe today abolitionists and their ilk would be defined as “woke,” or weak men left vulnerable due to their sympathetic natures.
The book centers around Fort Sumpter in the Charleston Bay and the characters who defined the conflict where the Civil War would begin. In many ways we struggle with the same issues today regarding diversity, equality, and inclusion. Lincoln himself was wildly criticized from all sides for his fumbled leadership and lack of success in quelling the great divide. The important message is that through his struggles, Lincoln prevailed in history. His image and legacy are clearly aligned with all that is good. He overcame his doubters and preserved the Union. God bless Abraham Lincoln. How will our current set of conflicts be viewed in history? The struggle continues.
School Board and Rainbows
At least one of our local school board candidates has stated his concerns for teachers, or a teacher for, allegedly, having worn a rainbow (ROYGBIV) colored shirt in, what we could all come to a agree on, a deep-state like attempt to promote the LGBTQ agenda. I’m glad to see someone is on top of this issue.
I would suggest that an even more insidious plot could be in the works as some teachers might wear one color per day for 7 days as an even deeper-state attempt to show love and support for our LGBTQ neighbors. The great difficulty will be the judgment calls that need to be made when a potential offender gets to the blue, indigo, violet end of the spectrum, as differences here tend to be subtle. We will need an administrator with good color sense dedicated to development of a rubric and spreadsheet to monitor these dangerous subliminal messages. We can never rest. Vigilance!
Lifewise
I am aware that this arrangement is somehow approved by law. Public school students are to be released for two hours of religious instruction per week. Voluntary of course. Students are to be released only from related arts classes, music, art, P.E. You know, the less important ones. Still, I ask myself would students be better served by two hours of exposure to religious dogma, or two hours of the arts? I know the answer to that question in my house. This movement to infuse a particular (fundamentalist) Christian component into the public schools seems the result of a super majority in the state legislature.
In reading the Fort Wayne newspaper, I note more resistance than here locally. There a more diverse population may find it less tenable. Time will tell. It is naïve to think that such a program does not represent a cost to resources, scheduling and staff at any school where it is in operation.
Here’s The Thing: I personally know many of the local people involved with Lifewise here in Wells County. These are people I know to be kind, generous, and highly respected. So why do I object? Let me put it this way. If you would spend fifteen minutes listening to me talk about my views on Christianity and religion, you would most likely turn to your neighbor and say, “I don’t want him teaching my kids about religion.” And to that I would say, “Now you know how I feel.”
ken.ballinger@yahoo.com
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Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of articles and opinions written by a group of retired and current teachers — Ken Ballinger, Billy Kreigh, Kathy Schwartz, and Anna Spalding. Their intent is to spur discussions at the dinner table and elsewhere. You may also voice your thoughts and reactions via The News-Banner’s letters to editor.
