Well, it's finally happened. People warned me that it would. After 10 columns, I have received my first email from a reader who has an opinion that is significantly different than mine. I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner.
Now, I've been told by friends, who are writers, that any input, good or bad, is positive. That means people are reading and after all that's why you put yourself out there in the first place.
I began writing a column because, as I said in one of my first columns, people have different points of view and for me that creates communication and excitement. I have never claimed to have a journalism degree nor have I ever masked my personal input.
The column that received the influx of attention was my September 16 one entitled, "Don't shoot the messenger". Unfortunately, the comments I received were more of a personal attack than that of constructive criticism. I want people to have an opinion....that's what it's all about but dissect what I have written and comment on that. I was trying to portray what it was like when I went to school, when my children went to school and apparently what happens today in school. I was told that I should get my facts straight and that I was "ill prepared" and "ill researched", yet the column was generated from frustrated parents and yes, teachers. Instead of showing a more convincing side to myself and my readers, I was talked down to, called names and generally given uncalled-for comments about something as trivial as my picture (so I thought).
I really wanted to know more why things have changed so much since I was a kid....simple as that. Was it that the teachers are too busy with increased curriculum, overcrowded class rooms, a society that has become lazy or what? Instead, I got a reader who just went off on everything from cyber bullying to parents blaming the school system.
Now I remember writing a column saying that some parents don't take responsibility for their children along with the misuse of cell phones, computers and waste of time, yet I never got any "support" or "agreement" from this person for that column. I'm confused. If I write something that you have another point of view on, that's what generates conversation. You don't read something, get the hair on the back of your neck standing up and then vent about everything all over the map.
During this email, I was told that "little Johnny" doesn't learn anything by getting beat 92-6 in volleyball. Well, when I went to school, the game ended at 15 and now 21, so no one is getting beat by that margin. When asking the "opinion" of people who have children in this age group, I was told, "Don't kid yourself....the kids keep score even during bound ball." They also said that getting beat like this in a game builds character. I don't know if I agree with this but we can't be winners all the time. That includes friendships, relationships, jobs, etc., so we need to know how to deal with these life situations and that starts in our school years.
I certainly wasn't bashing the school system or teachers as a lot of character that was instilled in me came from not only my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, but also some pretty darn good teachers. I guess that was why I was so surprised how this reader approached their point of view. That was never how I was taught to treat another human being....right or wrong, for or against. Maybe that's where the problem lies!!!
Maxine on "Technology Revolution": My idea of rebooting is kicking somebody in the butt twice. (I hear ya...and agree).
Instead of a pet peeve of the week, I thought I would share a saying sent to me. Maybe someone will get more out of this instead of listening to me complain. Let's try it anyway. "Don't blame anyone or anything for your situation or problems. When you do that, you are saying that you are powerless over your own life - which is utter crap. An empowering step to reclaiming your life is taking responsibility." - Jillian Michaels. (I like that one).
Maybe that's just me...let me know what you think!
