Evening star., 1938-05-26
Problem of
Political
Debates
School Discussions
Not Apt to Injure
American Ideals.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

IF THE schools would devote them
selves to their own business-edu-
eating children-it would be better for
them and the children and their par
ents. My son comes home all excited
about a debate on Socialism. I'm
against Socialism, Communism, all the
other foreign notions that foreigners
are trying to inject into American life.
send my son to an American school
and I want him taught American
ideals. American principles. and Moth
ing else. In short, I want the schools
to attend to their own business and
cut the politics out"
A debate on Socialism is not going
to injure American ideals. It is more
likely to strengthen them. A debate
allows both sides a full hearing, and
if this high school debate ran urue to
form, both sides got in more than
their full share Of the hearing That
is not going to prove that the school
is supporting one side or the other.
It might prove that the school is allow
ing its students to discover some grain
Of truth for themselves.
Boys and girls in senior classes Of
high school are going to vote as
American citizens in few years. After
graduation many Of them will 60 to
work to earn a living. Should not the
school do something toward enlight-
ening these young men and women
about the questions Of government
and economics that dominate their
period of existence? It should not be
possible to keep political secrets from
young people 18 years Of age and over.
Yet some people seem to believe that
would be ideal. The young people
could not bother the older ones with
pertinent inquiries, then.
A public school should not teach
party politics. But high school seniors
should be able to secure honest infor-
nation, as far as it is obtainable, about
what is going on in their country in
the departments of government and
economics; should be able to discuss it
freely with each other, and should
have the benefit of expert opinion and
advice on both sides of any such ques-
ton. In short, our young people
should be able to have liberal educa-
ton in public questions of their day.
can see no reason for dragging such
questions into the classrooms where
other subjects are being taught. Social
science should have its time and place
Just as mathematics has its time and
place. Surely If space is provided on
the program for such work there is
no reason for intruding upon other
classes.
Youth is bound to pounce upon q
newly discovered truism as an original
contribution to the wisdom of the race.
Experienced teachers should know
and understand that, with patience
and tolerance and good will. Young
people on their side, should under
stand that the school and the college
Is dedicated to their service, not in one
held, but in many; and that injection
Of questions Of social import into the
routine work Of the school only hin
ders the cause they have at heart,
their own advancement and growth.
To the school must 60 the authority
Of age and experience and RESPONSE
bility. To youth must 60 the oppor-
tunity to search for truth. Both must
respect the others position, so that
both may succeed in attending to
their own business.
Copyright, 193SD