Unruly graduations aren't anything new
I taught in Guilford County public schools for over 30 years. In the early '90s during graduations, we resorted to having unruly, i.e. screaming, guests escorted from the coliseum by a sheriff's deputy.
In the late '90s, we tried long pauses and polite requests. The administrators finally quit trying. A few schools tried to maintain some degree of civility, until they were told by the central office to be more culturally sensitive.
If you attended any graduations, as many of us were forced to do, you noted that names that evoked the most raucous display of disrespect for others belonged to students who had no business graduating. Twenty-five years ago they would not have "walked." The bar has been lowered to accommodate those who have acquired no more education than their guests have manners.
Roger Chance
Jamestown
Comments (6)
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"If you attended any graduations, as many of us were forced to do, you noted that names that evoked the most raucous display of disrespect for others belonged to students who had no business graduating. Twenty-five years ago they would not have "walked." The bar has been lowered to accommodate those who have acquired no more education than their guests have manners."
Ouch!!
Ouch!!
Posted on July 1, 2005 8:58 AM
Amen Roger.
As one of your former students, all I can say is "I hear ya'".
Posted on July 1, 2005 11:07 AM
Roger sounds a little racist to me.
Posted on July 1, 2005 11:33 AM
Joseph sounds a little stupid to me.
Posted on July 1, 2005 4:45 PM
Nothing racist about it. Go sit in the audience at a middle school graduation and you'll notice certain similarities among the folks causing the biggest fuss. Shoot, let 'em yell. That eighth grade graduation is probably the only one the family'll get.
Posted on July 1, 2005 8:37 PM
I whole heartedly agree, manners are lacking at all graduation levels these days. It is a shame that those who work hard to achieve are shown so little respect.
Posted on July 2, 2005 2:39 PM