Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Dear Larry: I bet I know who wrote about the out-of-control students. If he is whom I bet he is, then he didn't tell you everything.

First, this guy has a thing about kids getting blue-collar jobs instead of going to college. Second, he nearly convinced 20 seniors to join the military in order to get the GI Bill. He told them that student loans are "traps" and the equivalent of "bondage." He thinks most of our kids are not college material because they all failed the Regents' Exam and we had to "inflate" the grades to get them to graduate. Is that such a bad thing? Are we supposed to let our kids fail just because they can't pass a few exams?

This man is a racist and a liar. He takes kids who are about to go to college, tells them they've picked the wrong majors and then tries to get them to major in "practical" things like nursing. One girl was going to major in broadcast journalism and minor in meteorology with the intention of becoming a TV anchorwoman for a weather channel. Mister smarty came along and told her to scrap her plans, major in meteorology and minor in journalism. He told her there are very few jobs in broadcast journalism.

Who does he think he is? Our students have one privilege their parents didn't have, and that's the opportunity to go to college and to be somebody. This teacher does nothing but preach that they should only concern themselves with making a living and making enough to buy a house.

I'm fed up with him. Our students' dreams should be to go to college.

You better tell this teacher to get another job. Let him enlist in the Army and go fight in Iraq. — D.C.

Dear D.C.: I am not sure if your letter is serious or not. Since I do not know, I will assume you honestly feel the way you wrote.

First, I think there is nothing wrong with a teacher who lets students know blue-collar work is an honorable occupation. I believe there are too many students in college that would be better served in other areas.

Second, the teacher has a good point that student loans are a trap. My son had been out of college for six years before he paid off his student loan. He could not move on with his life financially until that loan was paid off. According to my definition of a trap, student loans fit. I also believe student loans have been wonderful for those students who did not have the money.

Third, there is nothing wrong with a person joining the military. In fact, I encourage all young people to do so. One on the benefits of serving is the G.I. Bill. That bill paid for my college education, and I am most grateful.

Fourth, you said this teacher preaches to his students that they should be concerned about making a living and buying a house. Hooray for him. I agree wholeheartedly. The real purpose of our educational system is to create a literate society full of independent functioning adults.

Fifth, I do not want this teacher to get another job. I would like to clone him and put his copies in every school across our great land.

To find out more about Larry Meeks, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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