Larry Lang: Students ask what's the difference between politics and bullying

November 03, 2012

For the last 10 years I've been lucky enough to be employed at my second career in a profession that I love — teaching. I'm honored that my school, Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School, entrusts this very important job to me, and I strive to be worthy of their confidence. The school treats education as a joint venture where parents and teachers work together with the students to be sure that they are principled, tolerant, honest, well-balanced, open-minded and inquisitive members of our global society.

What better time in our history than during an election year for students to demonstrate their curiosity? As the old adage goes, sometimes we learn more from our students than we teach. It has been during some of our recent fifth-grade class political discussions that our students have made insightful observations and analogies, some of which are often forgotten by adults.

Lehigh Valley Academy has an active anti-bullying campaign, with every child involved in understanding what bullying behavior looks like and how they can help to stop it. They know that repeated negative words or actions about someone can result in the person believing the lies, which often has devastating results. By the same token, if they are bystanders and don't defend the person or report the incidents to adults, the bullying behavior continues unchecked.

To a fifth-grade student, U.S. history provides countless examples of the many personal sacrifices made by others, including the "ultimate" one, in order for us to be able to choose who will represent us in our government. We impress upon students that free elections and the peaceful change of power are among the most important symbols of our free society.

My students continued by asking why politicians talk so poorly about each other, especially when students are taught that words matter and can hurt.

They have asked: "Why do the candidates always call each other liars, or claim that their opponents are evil people?" "You always make sure there are consequences if we don't speak the truth, why don't they get in trouble?" "Why don't candidates just explain what they stand for, and not twist the words the other has used?"

The frustration increased when we shared that negative advertisements have been shown to be a more cost-effective use of a campaign's money. It's confusing for an 11-year-old to understand that candidates want you to not like the opponent.

What a sad reality lesson this turned out to be because it more closely resembles the true meaning of bullying. "Well that's just wrong," the students say, and they're really tired of constantly being bombarded with those messages on radio and seeing them repeatedly on television. Now when are adults going to see — and act on — what children have no problem recognizing?

Politicians, hear your future voters and start showing tolerance, good temperament and honesty to the public. Stop putting your opponents down, give positive messages and explain what you believe in and what you will do if elected, so that people will select you because of your merits, not because you spend more time and money putting down your opponent.

Parents, all of this talk of government by and for the people will mean nothing if you don't use the greatest tool and gift that America provides — your right to vote. Model what a good citizen does, which is to inform yourself about the candidates, and then cast a vote for the ones you like.

We are not just electing a president but also members of Congress and the commonwealth's Legislature. All elections are important. By fulfilling your civic responsibility, you will be teaching your children by your actions, demonstrating that you believe that this country is the greatest place on earth and an honor to live in. So show your neighbors, friends and family that you take your responsibility as a citizen seriously, and that they should as well.

I look forward to seeing you at the polls on Tuesday.

Larry Lang, a resident of Bethlehem, is a fifth-grade teacher at Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School in Hanover Township, Northampton County.

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