TOMMIE SAYLOR: We need to teach proper citizenship

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

 -- The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School Principal

I don’t care if you are African American, European American, Hispanic American, Asian American or Native American. I don’t care if you are male, female, transgender, bisexual, questioning or gay. I don’t care if you are Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic, Christian, Jewish or an atheist.

I don’t care if you are rich, poor or destitute, mentally or physically challenged, a citizen or an alien legal or illegal. I don’t care if you suffer from a disease, a disorder or a syndrome, or if you are statistically average, above average or below average, as a living breathing soul you deserve to be treated with respect. 

I may disagree with you. I may not even like you. But I will always treat you with respect. 

In my eyes, the only thing a person has to do to be considered “successful” in life, to be a “good American,” is to treat others with respect and “take care of your own business.”

We must also keep in mind that everyone is “broken” to some degree.  No one goes through life without being scarred and gathering “baggage” along the way.  It is through our broken nature that we view our world around us and make decision and choices based on our past experiences. This is what separates us and drives us to be inhospitable toward others that don’t believe as we believe. 

Simply, it becomes easy to vilify others of a different mind. I say not to do that which is easy, for hate is the easy way out.  I say take the more challenging path, learn to understand each other, learn to recognize another’s pain, look for the things that bind us together. 

For we must never forget, that all people deep down inside need and want the same things. We want to belong, to feel appreciated, and valued. We all want to feel as if we have contributed to a greater cause, we all want to be loved.

Given the above, we need to teach our students tolerance.  We need to let them know that the other players on the other side of the football field are just like them, that the best seat in the cafeteria is the one next to the student sitting alone, that a smile gets you further than a scowl, that showing someone respect is not a sign of frailty or submission, but a sign of internal strength and confidence. 

We need to teach our students that everyone has value, the good Lord does not make mistakes, and that kindness is not weakness. Essentially, we need to return to the practice of teaching citizenship in school, teaching our students proper decorum and how to behave. Otherwise, how can we expect them to live up to expectations for which they have no training?

What starts here, changes the world. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.