Editor:
I hope that the kids working on the student paper at Madison County High School have at least learned that people in power take criticisms seriously. If nothing else, these young journalist have learned two things: public, prominent complaints get attention (“squeaky wheels get the grease”) and entrenched organizations don’t like to be criticized and will do much to curb or stop the spread of negative information, or the questioning of priorities.
An organization set up to help school youth with journalism issues, the Student Press Law Center splc.org, had to intervene to help on this issue. The fact that such an organization even exists shows that thoughtful and articulate kids are a threat to the status quo in more than little Madison.
It would behoove the school board and others in authority, rather than clamping down on free speech, to eat a bit of humble pie, acknowledge the problems these youth cited and then network with the kids showing them statistics and info to correct any errors, then try to prioritize possible solutions. When youth explore and express concerns, then follow-through with discussion and decision-making, leading to positive action, they are growing as leaders and good citizens. Is there room for a bit of praise for their attempts?
So, how about the school board engage in a civil discussion on the articulated needs with the kids who wrote the article?
Mary Grace
Wolftown (Lost Valley)
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