Our opinion

The free and open exchange of ideas is a most powerful tool. We can learn so much from listening to others--particularly those with whom we share little in common or disagree. Learning is a collaborative effort that relies on our exposure to varying ideas, countless perspectives and ranging experiences. Oh, what a great opportunity we enjoy with open dialogue and hearty discourse! We can challenge our own ideas and ideals. We can verify and validate our positions. We can consider things we might otherwise overlook. We can even persuade others to our points of view or be convinced of theirs. Most importantly, we learn. We learn about ourselves, but greater still, we learn about others. When we better understand ourselves, we can improve our place in the world. When we better understand others, we can improve the world.
But we can’t do it if we’re afraid to hear what people have to say. We can’t do it if we shun dissension or wall ourselves off from those with whom we disagree. We can’t learn if we’re unwilling to listen, unwilling to hear, unwilling to consider other ideas or information.
Just as the free exchange of ideas is a powerful tool, so too is fear. Fear can be a powerful motivator, stimulant and catalyst. Rarely is it an educational implement.
Last week, we were disheartened to learn that some parents objected to their children listening to President Obama’s address to school children broadcast across the country. How sad. Heaven forbid the nation’s elected president attempt to inspire America’s youth.
Whether you agree with the president’s politics or not, whether you voted for him or not, whether you even like him or not, he’s still the president. And the office deserves respect.
The president’s message was one of inspiration for America’s youth. It was one of patriotism, hard work and achievement. One of focus and one of responsibility.
This wasn’t about politics until grown-ups tried to make it about politics.
As the president indicated in his remarks: not everyone is going to be good at every subject, but each of us is good at something and it’s our responsibility to discover what.
How can we, and more importantly, how can our children, discover our value, our potential, our contribution if we limit our opporunities out of fear?