Young People Who Don't Appreciate America

Larry Meeks
Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700
Lifestyle

Dear Larry: I have a problem with the lack of young people's appreciation for our country. It is my opinion that the future of this country is in trouble if we don't change this growing trend.

I am a history teacher at an inner-city high school. Almost half of my students are minorities. I try to give the positive aspects of America, but most of the students, regardless of race, have disrespectful attitudes of the great things this country has accomplished.

For example, I tried to impress the students by telling them that hundreds of thousands of Americans died in the Civil War to free the slaves. I told the students all about the sacrifices that were made and how more people died in that war than in all other U.S. wars combined. The students were completely uninterested, and they laughed when one of the students shouted, "So what?"
Updated: Fri Oct 15, 2010

Dear Larry: I have a problem with the lack of young people's appreciation for our country. It is my opinion that the future of this country is in trouble if we don't change this growing trend.

I am a history teacher at an inner-city high school. Almost half of my students are minorities. I try to give the positive aspects of America, but most of the students, regardless of race, have disrespectful attitudes of the great things this country has accomplished.

For example, I tried to impress the students by telling them that hundreds of thousands of Americans died in the Civil War to free the slaves. I told the students all about the sacrifices that were made and how more people died in that war than in all other U.S. wars combined. The students were completely uninterested, and they laughed when one of the students shouted, "So what?"

I also, as an aside, try to give many examples of how fortunate they are to have been born in America and the unlimited opportunities that are available. I have brought in successful businesspeople of all races. They give inspirational talks on how they have achieved. Each speaker tells the students how he/she "made it" and how they, too, can achieve.

The students don't even have the common courtesy to listen or have the ability to apply the information to their lives. They seem to have the attitude that government will take care of them and that being and looking "cool" is more important.

I have noticed that certain minorities extol their mother countries more than they do America. What gets to me is the fact that some of those countries are dishonest, poverty-stricken and Marxist. In their old countries, they have little freedom and no opportunity. Once they get here, it isn't long before they start putting America down and extolling the other countries.

America needs to wake up and somehow make patriotism politically correct. Bashing America is going to lead to the demise of the greatest country on earth.

Larry, I would appreciate any thoughts on this subject, especially how to make a person become appreciative of his/her country. — JMR

Dear JMR: In my opinion, most young people are highly influenced by people they respect. That is why they listen to and follow their peers over their parents.

I recommend that you find some speakers they think are "cool." High on their "cool" list will be prominent sports players, especially basketball and football professionals. Sports people are very eager to speak to the young and are easy to entice to your class.

Another type of person they will listen to is a musician, but musicians are more difficult to get. However, stay alert for any groups coming to your town. Extending invitations before they get to your community is more effective than waiting for them to arrive.

Any person who is considered a nonconformist is a good candidate to gain your students' attention. Believe it or not, a patriotic tattoo artist would be effective. Be creative.

When people feel they are contributing to their community, they tend to become supportive. I also have found that community service is a positive influence to instill pride in country. Any kind of neighborhood improvement and helping the less fortunate are recommended.

Please do not become discouraged. We must stand up for America. If we don't, who will?