THE STREET ‘Schizophrenic’ columnist responds to critic
By Charles Springer
Mr. Street’s letter responding to my columns on education (Wednesday, May 6) is truly a piece of work. I must say this person’s views are very close-minded when it comes to things that effect his money or job or property. It is his right to have this view and one of the benefits of living in a democracy — even though these views are close-minded and uninformed.
First off I am formerly homeless because of the kindness of a friend who wants to see me achieve the best possible future and someone whom is formerly homeless himself. If Mr. Street took the time to read all of my columns he would know this as I have written about it in a column about the angels in Santa Monica who have not forgotten what kind of progressive community this is supposed to be.
Next he claims I am uninformed about the connection between the violence and negative lifestyles some of our youth gravitate to and the lack of proper funding for public schools and the budget crisis, which is a reality no matter what the propaganda machines say.
The public education system is, by far, larger than the private system. And provides education for the majority of children in the country. You get it yet Mr. Street?
I lived on the streets for approximately seven years and have seen the direct correlation between education and youth violence. It has become more and more apparent to parents and teachers that children who are educated and molded properly through guidance in and out of the home do not go toward this type of lifestyle.
This is because they are shown the positive attributes they have, which outweigh the negative influences of the streets. A solid education builds self -confidence, self-esteem and self-worth in our youth and helps prepare them for life as an adult.
Do you see it yet Mr. Street? Is it sinking in? Or are you still living in the “box” that these current regimes have created for you to live and think inside of. Well, I’ll give you an example of how public education is important to the majority.
I know of a young lady of 16 who is educated by home schooling monitored by Santa Monica High School. And at 16 she is ready to graduate and go to college. When you look at her she looks like the average kid who hangs out on the Promenade, but when you talk to her you begin to see the intelligence and self confidence in her through the knowledge she acquired through an education, which was monitored by the public school system.
She is very aware and observant of her surroundings and the people she is dealing with. There is another young lady nicknamed “Rugrat” who completed her high school education in the public school system while living homeless on the streets of Santa Monica.
There are many young men and women that I have known for years who have benefited from public education. There are also some I know who are very intelligent, yet, dropped out of school because of a lack of proper attention because of large class sizes. Their lack of interest was taken as disruptive instead of recognized as not being intellectually challenged.
Now to the statement you made about families being able to afford the children they have. Well, again, it comes down to education through public schools. Family planning and sex education classes, which teach our youth the value of relationships and the responsibility that comes with having sex. As far as being able to afford a child, I would like to ask where it is written in the Constitution about family size.
I know many families here in Santa Monica who send their children to Samohi. Some of these families probably can afford to send their children to private schools but opt for this school because it has a deep and rich history with the community as a whole. These area people who have lived here far longer than you have. Even I’ve lived here longer than you, albeit as a homeless resident of this city.
You, Mr. Street, need to stop watching Fox News and listening to Rush Limbaugh and wake up to the reality of the situation. These leaders and corporate C.E.O.s who take raises and bonuses while down-sizing do not give a rat’s posterior about the public. The money being spent on the war and rebuilding of Iraq could bridge the deficit a hundred times over across the board.
So Mr. Street do I make my point? Or are you still thinking inside the box. I guess my “schizophrenia,” as you call it, must be acting up again. Or maybe I just watch and listen to more than some neo-conservative propaganda drivel. (Charles Springer is a resident of Santa Monica)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 2, 2003. Read the original PDF.