Bernard Taylor

Bernard Taylor believes in kids. That's my observation anyway. I live in a suburb of Grand Rapids so I have no direct interest in that school system. But, what affects Grand Rapids has a great influence on the surrounding area too. I feel what Bernard Taylor, as the superintendent of the Grand Rapids public school system has done affected far beyond it's borders. I feel that what happens within our educational system is of major importance. I felt Bernard Taylor does too.

Being an outsider I didn't get caught up in any petty squabbles going on between the school board or teachers or parent groups. None of those mattered to me. I mentored dozens of young men that were the products of the Grand Rapids school system. One common factor of their at risk situations was "lack of expectations" both at home and within the schools. "You're not ever going to amount to anything so we're not going to waste our time trying to help you excel." I didn't get that feeling from Bernard Taylor. I've never met the man, don't know what he's like personally. I don't care either. What I saw in his attempts to do his job was a deep seated belief that if given the opportunity, most kids will buckle down and take advantage of it. He didn't appear to believe that the students weren't capable of learning. He moved forward by expecting them to learn and a belief that most children will rise to the occasion.

Bernard Taylor will be leaving the Grand Rapids school system soon. The system will carry on and he'll be faced with another challenge to overcome. Life will continue as before. But, the system will be different because of his efforts and optimism in those kids. That's my observation. I like to see people like him when it comes to dealing with the future generations. Expect, inform, assist, educate and keep moving forward. I wish Bernard Taylor well in his future endeavors.

Evan Emory and deceit

Being young is not a good excuse for Evan Emory. When he was interviewed by a TV journalist he said he deceived the school district because that was the only way he could make the vulgar video as good as it was. That being said even after he knew he'd stepped way over the line of common decency, let alone the law.

Everyone begins life young and ignorant. We all make stupid mistakes. It's a process: this gaining of knowledge of right and wrong, common sense and morals. Most of us come through it without major damage to ourselves or others. Evan Emory messed up big time. He knew it was wrong because he lied to the teachers right from the start. He didn't ask permission to change the music and words, he hid while he did that. A true "artist" doesn't hide. Then he placed the video on YouTube for all to see. This is how "wrong" works. Do what you have to do, lie, sneak, steal, and by the time you get the job done its too late for anyone to change it and you get off Scott free. I believe that was his plan from the get-go. He didn't get away with it and now he has to pay the consequences.

I wouldn't want to see this guy get 20 years in the slammer though. Stupid doesn't deserve 20 years or even 5. I feel he should get plenty of years of public service helping abused children and adults though. Michael Vick is doing public service for what he did and is accomplishing a lot in doing so. He has even become a personal advocate for abused animals because he has had a change of heart due to what he's learned. I don't wish a young guy like Evan a lifetime of punishment. He deserves consequences, yes. But wouldn't it be better if he did some type of restitution to children and society as well. That's a win-win in my opinion.

So I say, "Evan Emory listen up and listen up quick. You can still fess up and learn from all this. It start with the realization that we do not have to accept what you've done because you are simply a harmless artist expressing yourself. You lied and did an unconscionable thing involving our children. Admit the wrong you did with the filthy lyrics being inserted into an otherwise innocent, trusting video. Accept your consequences whatever they may be and learn what morals are. It will be better for all involved and the kids you deceived will learn what type of person you really are.

Yesterday and today, keeping up.

My, how times have changed things. Cell phones, computers, electronic games, electric cars and wind turbines are so common they don't elicit a second thought from most people. Record players, crystal radios, slide rules, mimeographs, carburetors and tinker toys are almost ancient history. New countries pop up overnight causing maps become irrelevant even as they are printed. Language too evolves at nearly light speed and words and their meanings change sometimes overnight. It's kind of difficult to keep up with all the changes. Particularly, for me anyway are the social and cultural differences so far removed from what I learned in school. Here are a couple examples from my high school classroom days.

In social studies the teacher described how the communists had the citizens bring their kids to a "government" provided day care. "That just goes to show you how much the communist government controls their people and take their freedoms away." She said.

All through junior and high school the hot topics of conversation most often surrounded sports, college prep, getting a part time job, practical jokes and cars. Girls were mixed in like seasoning.

In high school, getting into trouble usually involved being late, chewing gum in class, smoking in the bathroom, passing notes in class, running in the halls or squealing tires in the parking lot.

Most guys showed respect to the girls and did things like open doors for them, pay the check at restaurants, not swear around them and would almost die before passing gas in front of them. Girls flirted and giggled and mostly left it at that when they were with boys.

When fights broke out between the guys, as it sometimes did, it usually ended with a bloody lip, a bruised ego and if a teacher found out, detention. A couple of regular trouble makers were sent to "Juvy." (juvenile home)

About three or four times a year the entire high school had an "assembly" and a recent graduate would talk about his or her success due to their education. At least one was enlisted in the armed forces giving us local heroes to think about.

Being "nice" was considered a good thing, something to strive for in spite of raging hormones and unlimited innocent, youthful ignorance and stupidity. Even if we failed at it we admired it.

History will determine if today is better for us or yesterday was more beneficial. I just know that it's a interesting ride either way. There are advantages on both sides and it's good for some of us to step back and take a look at the differences from time to time. How far have we come?