This past week, I had the pleasure of going to our local school, to sit and learn about the upcoming school year.
I have twin girls, who will be attending Kindergarten, in September...
This day was for the parents, to ask questions, meet the teachers, and walk the halls.
What a BLAST!
Aside from the fact, like all parents, that I'm totally freaked out, that my kids are starting their "official" school lives....it was a VERY interesting, insightful day.
First off, the school, is Kindergarten through the 8th grade. Meaning, you have 5 year olds, in the same hallway as 13 year old kids.
The school is many long hallways with hundreds of kids, and scores of classrooms.
You walk down the hall, and the school is configured by grade.
Kindergarten is closest to the offices and entrance...and as you go down the hallway you pass the 1st through the 8th grade.
You can tell this by the writings, and the poems, on the halls next to every classroom. As you progress down the corridor's, the writing is more legible, as you go UP BY GRADE...
March was "Women Hero's" Month.
Each kid, in every grade, needed to write a short story, about who they thought were "The Woman Hero", that they wanted to write about.
These were displayed on the walls, outside of each classroom. These writings by the students, lined the walls of the entire school.
I stopped to read, the "Woman Hero" writings, while the rest of the parents continued on through the "Kindergarten Round Up Day" -- I was being educated in the corridors, at what I was learning....
It was a sociological experiment, to walk the halls of a school, and see how kids in the 21st century view, women hero's.
Before I tell you the ONE PERSON who consistently dominated the "Women Hero's" -- writings, by the students...let's backtrack to look at what my school, in the 1970's, might have written..(Lawrence Brook School, 1973)
Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Clara Barton, Susan B. Anthony, maybe even an athlete or two....this is what I can imagine lining the walls of Lawrence Brook in 1973.
But in the year 2006, the one person who dominates writings of the THE HALLWAY?
Nearly 80% of all the children, wrote eloquently of WHY, she was a HERO TO THEM...
This floored me.
It was consistent from 1st up through the 8th grade....
Oprah Winfrey.
Maybe, I've finally hit the age where, I'm out of touch. I've hit the stage, where I've become, dare I say...A OUT OF TOUCH PARENT?!?!
Am I missing something?
No.
What it took me days to figure out, was the following.
Oprah is a major figure. She dominates afternoon television. These kids today, were born and raised, with Oprah on the television, in their households during the afternoon. Whether it was a Mother, or a babysitter, or grandparents, chances are, Oprah was on for the kids to see, DAILY.
Oprah Winfrey often times, has content that makes parents, show emotion (cry, laugh, or smile) -- kids see this, and react to it. It has a effect on children, to see their mother reacting to something happened on the television.
I'm now convinced after this excercise we, as a society have been "Oprahcsized.."
What does this mean?
Our future, our children have been BRANDED, to not only think of her as a hero, but a trustworthy source of information, a guide, and a STABLE PART OF THEIR LIVES.
Do not discount the value of those three attributes, to the future of our country...they are important elements of being a hero.
1) trustworthy
2) a guide
3) stable, steady, confident part of children's lives
Oprah Winfrey will be President of the United States of America.
I have ZERO doubt of this.
She has been branded, with all the key elements, for being a hero, and a leader for the next generation.
You know how I know this?
I saw it on the grade school wall.
I've not had much more than a cursory introduction to Oprah. I've seen her show a few times and I've read a book or two from her Book Club Selection. I do not believe that my opinion comes from a Branded Person.I think Oprah would be an amazing, amazing president. Really. Not only has she paved countless roads to success for black women, but I truly believe she is inherently good. Her fortune of wealth and power has NOT corrupted her. I trust that she would show the same kindness and compassion for humanity should she become president. http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Oprah_Winfrey/We truly need more women like her in power, and I feel really good that young women idolize her. She adds value to this world. ~JeanninePS If you think you're an "out of touch" parent now, just wait... ;)
Posted by: Anonymous | March 27, 2006 at 10:07 PM
Hey Andy,First things first, 'cause the editor in me is screaming....legible, OK? :-)Second, in the 2nd greatest book ever written, Michael Moore's "Stupid White Men" he goes into great detail why Oprah would be the single best choice for president in our meshuggah times. Alas, she steadfastly claims no interest whatsoever in the job.The girls grow up so fast....today it's Kindergarten tommorow they could be my wife #3 (do I need to write that I'm kiddin?)PS I just read this and while I know little about him, his musical idols alone make his music worth checking out http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/06-03/27.shtml#nikkisudden
Posted by: pretzelgreg | March 27, 2006 at 11:14 PM
Thanks for the comments above, they are much appreciated. I hope this is "legible", Greg..Smith School Rocks. Andy
Posted by: Andy | March 28, 2006 at 12:01 AM
I once served at a function Oprah hosted in Baltimore. She's a great tipper. Oprah for President!
Posted by: Eric Kronthal | April 04, 2006 at 02:22 PM