I have been teaching
American History for 30 years. Six years ago I wrote and began teaching a
course called "Democracy in Action." Students choose a cause
and advocate for those in need.
It is said that mental health is our "last civil rights movement" and each year my students have chosen to participate in this last civil rights movement. They form a team and participate in the local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) walk. They design banners, create signs, raise money, sell t-shirts and they contact our elected officials seeking their support.
They are untainted by politics and posturing. They still live in the world of idealism. Their enthusiasm is contagious and each year, I watch with pride as they pick up the ball and run with it. And each year, I watch, bitterly disappointed at the response of our elected officials.
It is said that mental health is our "last civil rights movement" and each year my students have chosen to participate in this last civil rights movement. They form a team and participate in the local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) walk. They design banners, create signs, raise money, sell t-shirts and they contact our elected officials seeking their support.
They are untainted by politics and posturing. They still live in the world of idealism. Their enthusiasm is contagious and each year, I watch with pride as they pick up the ball and run with it. And each year, I watch, bitterly disappointed at the response of our elected officials.
It is terribly
frustrating since the students and I have yet to have a representative from our
government at the walk. Each year we write, call, and email our state and
federal representatives and to date, we have only received automated responses.
This year, the walk coordinator received yet another "so sorry, we're
busy" response and included in the message was a note.
The legislative assistant wanted to "flag" the walk coordinator. She noted that she received several calls and emails from my middle school students asking one of our Senators to come to the walk. She continued by stating she was glad to see so many active young people involved but “she wanted to make sure the coordinator was aware this was happening because it is unusual to have so many kids call the office.” She also explained that she would be happy to acknowledge my students with a letter, but felt it would be best to check with the walk coordinator before sending anything.
Forgive me but how am I as an educator to show these young Americans that their voice counts? An overwhelming number of requests were made to an elected official, and the response was not to them, it was not to the school (the students did identify their school) but the response was to ask a third party if the official should respond? This is not democracy in action.
My students will be voting in just a few short years and I have explained the sacrifices so many people have borne for their freedom. They seek to understand as much as they can about the reason why they are walking. They have quickly come to the realization that without the attention of those we elect, many people living with mental illnesses lose that very freedom to live the lives they deserve.
My students see the system is broken. By the time the school year is winding down, they have developed a solid foundation and a deep understanding of how to be effective advocates. They learn that advocacy can take many forms and seeking government support is an important aspect to any efforts. And yes, we all live busy lives, but forgive me if I ask -What is more important than showing a young man or woman that our democracy does in fact work?
The legislative assistant wanted to "flag" the walk coordinator. She noted that she received several calls and emails from my middle school students asking one of our Senators to come to the walk. She continued by stating she was glad to see so many active young people involved but “she wanted to make sure the coordinator was aware this was happening because it is unusual to have so many kids call the office.” She also explained that she would be happy to acknowledge my students with a letter, but felt it would be best to check with the walk coordinator before sending anything.
Forgive me but how am I as an educator to show these young Americans that their voice counts? An overwhelming number of requests were made to an elected official, and the response was not to them, it was not to the school (the students did identify their school) but the response was to ask a third party if the official should respond? This is not democracy in action.
My students will be voting in just a few short years and I have explained the sacrifices so many people have borne for their freedom. They seek to understand as much as they can about the reason why they are walking. They have quickly come to the realization that without the attention of those we elect, many people living with mental illnesses lose that very freedom to live the lives they deserve.
My students see the system is broken. By the time the school year is winding down, they have developed a solid foundation and a deep understanding of how to be effective advocates. They learn that advocacy can take many forms and seeking government support is an important aspect to any efforts. And yes, we all live busy lives, but forgive me if I ask -What is more important than showing a young man or woman that our democracy does in fact work?
Perhaps it is not well
known by the masses, but anyone involved in advocacy surrounding mental illness
is acutely aware that mental disorders are the leading cause of disability and
strike our youth just when they are beginning their lives. I believe
Rosalyn Carter said it best," We have been given many gifts as a
nation...We Americans think of ourselves as decent, generous, and compassionate
people, & for the most part we are; yet we treat a large proportion of our
own population as though they are second class citizens, undeserving of our
help, our resources, & our understanding."
I realize the schedules
of our elected officials may be full, but someone, somewhere has to take the
initiative and find the time, make the time, to represent those who
are too ill to represent themselves. The Port Washington students’ tenacity and
the time and energy they take to share their concerns is laudable.
I suppose, since they are still minors, their requests are looked upon as nothing more than a nuisance. One need not read too deeply between the lines in the correspondence from the Senator's office to draw that conclusion.
I am doing my part as an educator to keep my lessons fresh. I am constantly seeking new methods to bring history to life in ways that are relatable to a new generation. They are being taught that our system of democracy means there are no barriers between us and our elected officials.
Automated replies, having their messages intercepted or learning that their messages were diverted back in the form of a "heads up" because of the unusually large volume of calls from very young people is disheartening.
At the end of the day, it matters that my students know they are being heard, their concerns and requests are being acknowledged and most importantly, that their democracy does work in the way they are being taught, which is what was intended by the Framers of our Constitution.
(Editor's note: This post was reworded from a letter written in response to yet another disappointment from yet another elected official for the 6th consecutive year. I will be seeking the help of anyone interested in this issue to spread this message in as many social media platforms as possible, specifically to Senators Gillibrand and Schumer (D-NY).)
I suppose, since they are still minors, their requests are looked upon as nothing more than a nuisance. One need not read too deeply between the lines in the correspondence from the Senator's office to draw that conclusion.
I am doing my part as an educator to keep my lessons fresh. I am constantly seeking new methods to bring history to life in ways that are relatable to a new generation. They are being taught that our system of democracy means there are no barriers between us and our elected officials.
Automated replies, having their messages intercepted or learning that their messages were diverted back in the form of a "heads up" because of the unusually large volume of calls from very young people is disheartening.
At the end of the day, it matters that my students know they are being heard, their concerns and requests are being acknowledged and most importantly, that their democracy does work in the way they are being taught, which is what was intended by the Framers of our Constitution.
(Editor's note: This post was reworded from a letter written in response to yet another disappointment from yet another elected official for the 6th consecutive year. I will be seeking the help of anyone interested in this issue to spread this message in as many social media platforms as possible, specifically to Senators Gillibrand and Schumer (D-NY).)
