Obama in the Classroom

It is conventional wisdom that children are impressionable and caution should be exercised as to what they are allowed to see, read, hear and listen to. They are also easily awed. Most parents are aware of the awe a policeman, a fireman, or even a lion tamer, can inspire in schoolchildren. Imagine the awe that the President of the United States will inspire. It is unlikely the children will even listen to the president, but rather will sit in rapt fascination - as no doubt will many of the parents and teachers.

Children lack the power of critical thought and objectivity. The president is no doubt is aware of this and so will condescend to speak in terms the children will understand. What is it that is hoped children will take away from this? That they will devote themselves to reading and paying attention in school? Do they really expect the enthusiasm of these children to last over the entire course of their trip into adulthood? The awe will remain long after the details of Obama's talk are forgotten.

When a fireman speaks to children, the children want to become firemen. If an astronaut speaks to children, they want to be astronauts. My hunch is that after Obama speaks to the children, they will all want to grow up to be president. The corollary to this is that these children will gain an enthusiasm for government and an interest in "public service" and help ensure a new generation enthusiastic about government and aspiring to "serve their country."

It is argued by some that what the president has to say is important, even to children. But what can the President of the United States possibly have to say about education and "values" that teachers, parents, coaches, and clergy cannot say better? Perhaps the president's real motives lie beyond the children that will ostensibly make up his audience. It is likely that Obama's real audience will be the reporters and cameras that will be there in abundance.

Everything the President of the United States does is political. From ribbon cuttings to planting trees, there is an unavoidable political component. In today's environment of constant media coverage and scrutiny, everything from the president's choice of ties, to the gesture of his hands, is evaluated in terms of how it might add or subtract from the message, and how that message will be perceived. Despite the portrayal of Obama's talk as a genuine, unpolitical, and sincere attempt to encourage academic achievement and perseverance on the part of school children, there will be an unavoidable political component to his speach. Regardless of the press releases, it is likely that Obama's real message will be that he cares deeply about all Americans, even the children, and that he wants nothing but to help us, therefore we should trust him.

Clearly, nothing human is foreign to Obama. There is no suffering that is not felt by him; no struggle that is unknown to him; no dream that is not shared by him. His compassion and concern know no limits and therefore he deserves nothing less than our support, our enthusiasm, and our trust in his noble struggle for a better America; and indeed, a better world. But it will take more than a talk to children to persuade me.