Guest Commentary: Clash of ideas: The sound of a vibrant democracy
By JOHN RAJCIC
What follows are random thoughts of a school board member. Nothing I write is original, not a single word. I use many aphorisms probably from the Bible, Dewey, Piaget, Shakespeare and Yogi Bera, even though Yogi said he “gets credit for things he did not say.” I also quote much from Peter Drucker. He impressed me when I sat in on his lectures and I read much of what he wrote, “long-range planning does not deal with future decisions, but with the future of present decisions.”
I use aphorisms as though they are in the public domain and known to most people. Aphorisms can say an entire page in a couple of words. I do not think Peter Drucker, Lincoln, Moses, Dewey, Keats, Paul, Shakespeare and others would claim originality for what they write or say. Ecclesiastes 1:9, “...what has been will be again, what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.”
To me it is not important who uttered the adage but what it communicates. Just as an aside, this popped up: “The first man to use abusive language instead of his fists, was the founder of civilization.” What difference does it make who said this. It makes a lot of sense to me.
The use of Who and Whom makes me hesitate. Sometimes the rules for the use of whom and who that I learned eight decades or so ago sound odd to the ear today.
Philosophy deals with what it means to be, to exist, to be a finite human being. My basic philosophy is anchored in optimism. When an opinion is written, it invariably is to give information and a point of view. It also may be an argument to persuade an audience that your ideas are valid or more valid than those of someone else.
The clash of ideas is the sound of a vibrant democracy. I value an animated argument that is full of life, action, spirit and vigor. I do not know who said it, but “for good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, argument and debate.” There is no harmony if everyone sings the same tune. I believe it was Twain who said, “when you find yourself in the majority it is time to stop and reflect.”
I get “wet” a lot, because I do not skate around what I see as an important issue even though the ice that surrounds the issue is thin. I get criticized a lot and even have been asked to resign because I do not think football should be the driving ethos of the high school. Competitive sports are great. We operate in an aggressive, competitive society, which football tends to emulate. I just regret that more students can not feel the elation of victory and the agony of defeat. Everyone should read “The King of Sports: Football’s Impact on America” by Gregg Easterbrook.
Every life has peaks and valleys. The purpose of the peak is to celebrate life; the purpose of the valley is to learn about life. Many times people say and write things they regret.
The Ramona school district will only make a significant gain in reaching its lofty goals if everyone in and outside the district plays a part in working toward accomplishment of those goals. Resources are finite and the board has the responsibility for setting priorities. Instructional time is limited and the students and teachers have the most important responsibility in goal attainment. All it takes is an effective teacher, a willing student and a supportive home and community.
I also believe in letting the worst be known so the best may become of it. The administration must do things right and be held accountable. The board is responsible for doing the right thing. Many times I stated that “I am an agnostic about many things in education except the value of an effective teacher.” What happened to individual responsibility? The professional teacher is personally responsible to be current in content and on pedagogy. There should not be a need to “spoon-feed” a teacher in this regard.
Regrettably only one or two people other than school employees attend a school board meeting. Ten residents with a point of view at a board meeting would make a huge difference. Another couple of adages I committed to memory that keep popping up: “The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources,” “it is not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer,” and “truth passes through three stages, first it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, third it is accepted as being self-evident.”
Just for more fun, when the scientist makes a discovery it is not “eureka” that is said but “that’s funny.” To make this a research paper the only thing required would be a hypothesis and many footnotes. ”I don’t care what you say about me, as long as you say something about me, and as long as you spell my name correctly.” I am an old man “old enough to know my limitations and young enough to overcome them.”
John Rajcic, a Ramona resident and school board member, stresses that this is his opinion as an individual and he is not representing the board.