Courtesy of Think Progress:
When Queens fifth-grader Kameron Slade wrote his marriage equality speech for a school competition, he was prepared to read it in front of his entire school. He was prohibited from doing so, and instead wrote a speech on animal cruelty that did not win him the competition. In a “compromise,” Chancellor Dennis Walcott allowed Kameron to read his speech yesterday, but only to his fellow fifth-graders. It’s good that he had the chance to read his speech in school, but the hundreds of thousands of YouTube views demonstrate just how articulate and effective this young man’s words truly are.
Out of the mouths of babes.
That young man has a great Momma!!
ReplyDeleteShe could teach those 'other ones' many lessons in parenting!!
This video makes me think of the young man, Zach Wahls, a 19 year old student at Univ. of Iowa, who spoke so eloquently at a public forum in the Iowa House of Representatives -- opposing a resolution that would end civil unions. The video that went viral! Over 16 million views! It's a speech that blew me away and has stuck with me.
Here's the link for first timers or a refresher!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMLZO-sObzQ
What a great essay--- for a Fifth-grader!
ReplyDeleteHe gets an A in my grade book. His Mom deserves an A+!
Seriously, folks...
ReplyDeleteLet's assume that your kids watched "Life's a Tripp" the night before last, and this morning they watched and listened to this kid's video essay...
The contrasts are so striking, I'm just going to just stop and think about it for a few minutes because it's so profound.
Thanks G, for showing the value that involved, insightful, intuitive, caring parents can make in the lives of their children. Likewise, thanks for documenting (in yesterday's and prior blog posts) the sad results of inadequate or absentee parenting through your commentary on the recent debut of the latest Palin "reality" show farce.
The children are the future, is an understatement. I am so looking forward to the next generation.
ReplyDeleteYep! This is EXACTLY the kind of tolerance and understanding that has the Republicans in a tizzy: If they don't "take America back" (whatever the fuck THAT means) from the brink of progressive attitudes on the part of this generation, they never will.
DeleteObama/Biden 2012
Clinton 2016-2020
If watching that video doesn't reveal the impact of what good parenting can do, slow down and play it again... this time, close your eyes and just LISTEN.
ReplyDeleteDamn, I'll bet his this boy has a proud Momma- proud of him and she should be proud of HERSELF, too!
Whew, give me a room full of fifth-grade kids like him to teach, and I'll work for free!
This young man is showing more maturity than the skank on the TV last night!
ReplyDeleteThat same skank/media whore has sold another story to In Touch Weekly with the same bullshit statement she made to Oprah that she won't have sex until she's married. Lighting will strike her dead by day end!! Gino's not one to keep it in his pants -- so anything out of their mouths is BS as they've lived together. Yea right -- separate rooms or a sheet between them.
Add to it the new statement she made: She's engaged.
She'll play that out until the show finishes and she sells another story about the break up. Poor victim her.
Totally White Trash Liar. She's screwed more than we have room to name. She too like her mother need major mental help.
http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/21/12338462-bristol-palin-says-no-sex-until-marriage?lite
How refreshing to see and hear this eloquent young man reading his well written essay. Kudos to him and his mom for discussing this issue and being open minded. Kids at this age are curious about a lot of issues; it is best to answer their questions.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of kids in school being persecuted, I COULD NOT believe that a high school boy who objected to a public prayer during his graduation would be threatened by teachers, vilified by students, and literally thrown out of his house by his OWN PARENTS
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/3jfzx8n
1) Damon Fowler has been hounded, pilloried, and ostracized by his community.
2) One of Fowler's teachers has publicly demeaned him.
3) Fowler has been physically threatened. Students have threatened to "jump him" at graduation practice, and he has received multiple threats of bodily harm, and even death threats.
4) Fowler's parents have cut off his financial support, kicked him out of the house, and thrown his belongings onto the front porch.
Oh, and by the way? They went ahead and had the graduation prayer anyway.
Fortunately, Damon isn't entirely alone. His brother Jerrett is bringing Damon into his own home in Texas, and will help put him through college. And Damon is fortunate enough to have the backing of the atheist community, who are providing encouragement, emotional support, practical assistance, and even a scholarship fund.
I guess the Christian Taliban has no respect for the US Constitution, or the 2nd amendment
But most of us knew that. What we didn't know is that a kids would have his stuff thrown out on the porch, and told to get out of his parents house because he dared to voice opposition to a prayer at his high school
So much for life, libery, and happiness my friends.
http://tinyurl.com/3jfzx8n
Your thoughts?
those parents should be ashamed of themsevlves !!! (everyone else who bullied this boy too but mostly his parents!) -- if he didn't have a place to go, I'd be begging hubby to letting me go get him and bring him home.
DeleteMy daughter who just turned 16, asked me a couple of years ago if she had to believe in God or have a religion - I said absolutely not sweetheart - you are a good person, kind, caring and respectful and hard working too -- how we treat each other is what is most important - not who or what we believe in - that is totally up to you and your choice.
(fyi: I'm an active, outspoken wiccan, healer, and spiritual minded person, hubby is wonderful person who was raised catholic but hasn't actively been a catholic for a couple of decades)
My Thoughts?
DeleteThe people who called themselves his "parents" don't deserve the respect the title earns. What parent tosses their own flesh and blood on the street, knowing there's a shitstorm of hate and threats against his safety, life, and constitutional rights?
I'm glad he had a brother willing to take him in and help him, and that the atheist community came to his defense, supported him and set up a scholarship for him. THAT'S the Human thing to do.
Family's where you find it, Damron, not necessarily whom you were born to.
Thanks, AJ Billing, for sharing this.
There are some very hostile people commenting on the youtube video. I hope you will join me in adding words of support there for this young man with a kind heart.
ReplyDeleteWow! This little boy is more articulate than Bristol.
ReplyDeleteMost any living organism is.
DeleteParamecia and amoeba are more articulate than Bristol, and smart enough to fend for themselves.
DeleteDennis Walcott....what a cock. Seriously, this man is an "educator?"
ReplyDelete"Out of the mouths of babes" is so right, Gryph.
ReplyDeleteA lot of adults could learn a lot from a fifth grader. This child's selfless concern for the rights of others shows a wisdom beyond his years.