NDG’s View
As a community we are outraged once again by a person in uniform sworn to serve and protect. The most current display of an authoritative figure’s rage and brutality was once again taken out on one of our children. This time it happened at Spring Valley High School in South Carolina. The disturbing video recorded Officer Ben Fields overturning the student’s desk and slamming her to the floor. (This is the same officer who was awarded the “Culture of Excellence” in 2014 for his work as school resource officer for Lonnie B Nelson Elementary School.) As a community we are appalled, as we should be.
However, as disturbing as the actions were of the officer, the most disturbing part of the video, for our community, should be the actions (or lack of action) displayed by the other authoritative figure in the room, the teacher. We understand an educator’s responsibility is to teach our children. But, isn’t it also their responsibility to do the right thing, especially in the presence of their students? Is it not their responsibility to provide a safe and caring learning environment as well?
After reviewing the video several times, and seeing the other students frozen in fear, it is outraging to know, that our children are placed in an environment fueled with chaos, and somehow they are expected to learn. What’s worse is they have no protection. As parents, we send our children to their classrooms expecting them to be protected, and expecting them to learn. Yet, the culture we find them in is not conducive to growing them into educated citizens prepared to go out into the world and be productive.
So what are our children being prepared for? What part does standardized testing play into the equation? Why are our children sent to an educational institution with armed guards? How does the American public educational system compare to the American prison system?
One only has to open their eyes and ears to answer these questions.
The community can demand better through involvement
The culture we are breeding for our children is detrimental to our community and our future. Our children need us, as a community, as parents, as individuals to step up and protect them and ensure their futures. This is our responsibility.
We start by attending school board meetings, visiting our students’ classrooms and meeting with their teachers and principals. Then by assuring our children, everyday, that we, as adults, as parents, as community leaders, as educators have their backs. We owe our children this, simply, through by their birthright. We, as a community (as a village), are charged with ensuring our children have and are endowed with all they need to succeed. And this means protecting them at all cost, and moving to change the culture in which they learn.
We have an obligation to ensure our children’s learning environment is a “culture of excellence”, where they are protected and valued as human beings, instead of being belittled, labeled or embarrassed.
Some argue that the student attacked by Officer Ben Fields should have just been obedient and followed instructions. Yes, she should have. (However, this is a child, a foster child). But, she didn’t. And because she didn’t, she was brutally assaulted. Children must have the opportunity to learn and grow from their mistakes without being brutalized viscously by an authoritative figure. Because when they are not given that opportunity, either, they grow up paralyzed with fear, or they grow up expressing themselves in negative ways which cycles through to the next generation. In either of these circumstances it stunts the growth of our community.
Yes, the Civil Rights investigation that has been opened against Officer Ben Fields is warranted for his bad behavior, but what about all the other officers in schools across this country? The ones who participate in this type of behavior to uphold the current “culture” of our American educational system? The ones preparing our children for the American prison system?
It’s evident the culture of our children’s learning environment has to change. But, the question to ask is, “What will you do about it today, to ensure our children’s educational environment is awarded as a culture of excellence”?
