Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1951-12-08
Sees Modern
Youth Freer OF
Prejudice, But
Lacking Initiative

NEW YORK - (Global) - An
interesting observation is made
by writer of an editorial in LIFE
Magazine which appeared in the
November 26 issue relative to the
thinking and acting of our youth
in today's world. Using the thou
sands of photographs sent in as
the basis for his evaluation, the
writer has accepted the belief that
young people are not particularly
interested in individual competition
to make their mark in society, but
have imbibed the philosophy of
John Dewey to such an extent UNI
til the matter of personal security
has become the chief aim in life.
He further states that young peo-
pie are educated, primarily, from
sound and image rather than from
principles and ideas.
Admission is made Of the fact
that our youth are freer from pre-
JUDGE and are adapted better to-
wards group action in their be-
havior pattern. However, individual
initiative is lacking and the end
product of achievement is bound to
become mediocre. This raises the
question as to what are the pur-
poses and aims in education. There
may be some validity in the belief
that the sound and image theory
is affecting the thinking of both
youth and adults. The motion pic
ture projects the images daily to
thousands. The television machines
do the same. Impacts upon the
thinking and acting of individuals
are natural concomitants. Coming
in such mass formation without
the opportunity to analyze, judge
and compare, society, young and
old, become the victims of mass
pressure and concentration. Herded
into a prepared channel, any per-
who attempts to get out is branded
as maverick. Any dissenter is
labeled as radical who possesses
Interior motives dangerous to the
welfare of the majority. Customs,
mores and traditions are sacred
things, and must never be brought
under the light of scrutiny.
AS one who has studied under
John Dewey, cannot place the
blame for lack of perspective and
initiative at his door. Rather, his
philosophy of experimentation af-
fords youth a far greater oppor-
tunity to study principles and ex-
plore new ideas and to. arrive at
independent decisions. Perhaps
this form of education has helped
the youth of America to rid them
selves of bigotry and prejudice to
a greater degree than ever before.
If the hand of fate could lop off
the heads of every person in these
United States from forty-five up
tomorrow, the dawn of new day
in human relations would appear
almost simultaneously. In this new
era would appear the healing of
the wounds between the North and
the South, in these United States.
Africa would be redeemed and uni
fled in purpose. China would a.
wake to a sense Of her responsible
ties in free society. The old heads
Of Europe fighting to maintain a
status quo would be substituted by
a youthful band believing more in
the integrity of the individual and
permitting him to work out his
own salvation. Even. recalcitrant
Russia, led by young men, would
upset the plans Of a Stain and his
confreres.
Personally, I do not believe that
these youngsters would continue
war as medium of settling dis
putes. They may be void Of genius
es in high diplomacy, but their
mediocrity would serve as a level
ing influence to bring humanity to