My wife who teaches Modern World History will be showing President Obama's speech tomorrow.

[arcadian]

There are a lot of African American kids in her class and she thinks it's important for them to see this. He is going to talk to them about doing well in school, she says. And that is one of the school's goals, to raise academic achievement. She tries to get the students to do well in school and says that maybe if the President of the United States tries to get them to do well, then they might actually listen and be inspired.

[LWolf]

1. It's a good speech. nt

[BlooInBloo]

2. (shrug) I think it's important to all kids...

It's not as if America is raising crop after crop of *white* geniuses, after all.

[arcadian]

4. True Bloo

But I think it holds a special importance for African Amercian kids considering the horrible way they have been treated, oh since they were brought to the New World against their will 500 years ago and pretty much been treated like shit ever since.

[ruggerson]

20. God knows

n/t

[FLDCVADem]

3. Neither of my

kids' schools will be showing it.

[SPedigrees]

5. Keep them home and watch it together. nt

[FLDCVADem]

6. Nope

I have to go to work, and they don't need to miss a day of school. They know if they want to watch it when they get home, they can.

[Cha]

10. Too bad..the school seems like

a good setting for the encourgement from the President in continuing with their education.

[sandnsea]

12. Fight For It. Your kids have a right to see it too

Make them set aside one classroom for the kids who want to see it, if necessary.

I am sick of people coming to this board and criticizing their representatives and the President when they won't even fight their own principals.

[FLDCVADem]

14. No, I'm not going to fight for it

Because it's not that big a deal to me. My kids both know that they will be able to see it at home, if they choose to do so.

To me, this isn't a hill I'm willing to die on - it's just not that big a thing to me.

[sandnsea]

15. Exactly. Nothing ever is. That's why they win every time n/t

[FLDCVADem]

17. There are things that are important enough to me

to make stink about. This just doesn't happen to be one of them. If it were a case of it only being available in school, then it would be a different story. However, it is available whenever we want to see it.

[democrat2thecore]

19. Issue after issue "they" show what grassroots organizing is all about

Many on "our side" seem to wither. This is the 60's turned on its head.

[SPedigrees]

16. I know what a big thing it would have been to me in grade school had President Kennedy

spoken directly to me and my classmates. Watching such a speech imparts a sense of being a part of society and the political process to its young audience. This is a chance for every child to participate in history. It IS a big deal.

At least recording the speech and watching it together as a family would be better than offering it up to one's kids with the same lack of interest as an old videotape of a sitcom or a game show. It IS a big deal.

[FLDCVADem]

18. My kids are 15 and 13

and old enough to make their own decision on whether or not to watch the speech. I'm certainly not going to force them to do so.

[lunatica]

7. Your wife is right

I hope she uses his continuing presence and his wife's to show how success works. Getting an education is just the beginning.

And give her hug for me for hanging in there and believing she will make a difference. A good teacher always makes a difference.

[sandnsea]

8. Text Here, it's an awesome speech

I think it's what every kid needs to hear when they start school. It really sets the tone and lines out the kids' responsibilities in a way many have never heard.

http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=371

[lyonn]

11. Thanks, about what one Should expect from a President

The repubs should have a hard time finding fault with this. Stay tuned.

[Cha]

9. Looking like there's going to be a division

between the Lucky kids and the not so lucky ones.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. We will be showing it too

My principal even sent out a press release.