How young is too young when it comes to encouraging children to participate in some of the serious protests and dialogs that are playing out across the country? That question seems to be on the minds of many parents, especially some in New Bedford, Massachusetts who learned that their second graders took part in a protest last week!
7 and 8-year old students of the Alma Del Mar Charter School decided to stage a Ferguson-style protest during their recess break on December 12. At least 20 people were out on the New Bedford sidewalk chanting, "Honk if you want justice" and students also held signs that read, "Please don't shoot me".
The school's founder, Will Gardner, is standing by the decision to let the kids protest, as he believes that it ultimately can be classified as a civics lesson. While some parents were said to be horrified to learn that such small children were being encouraged to protest, Gardner insisted that the teacher in charge did send a note home for parents on December 10. They were supposedly alerted to the discussion that was coming and parents were allowed to have their children opt-out if they were not comfortable with the subject matter.
As Gardner put it, "We discourage our teachers from sharing their own political and religious views with their scholars. [But] we certainly want our scholars to engage in activities that help them to understand what it means to be citizens and what it means to be a democracy."
So what do you think, did Alma Del Mar Charter School go a little too far in allowing their second graders to experience a peaceful protest? Or is it a valuable civics lesson and might it serve as a future go-to as a way of showing what they believe in, rather than acting out violently? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
