Dear editor,
Whose property, who are the adults, what are the responsibilities of adults in leadership positions? How many times have I heard, “Where is the punishment of those defacing public property? Who are arrested for those riots that are in violation of laws that police are supposed to uphold? Who would want to be a part of a police force that is being defunded at a time when most of them are trying to protect people — regardless of color?”
All those questions came to mind in regard to the interview with Mr. Stacey Fager, superintendent of USD 257 schools, printed in this week’s Register.
When I first heard about the controversial parking lot painting at Iola High School, I was disappointed in the kids who did it. They are better than that.
We all make mistakes and learn from them if there are negative consequences immediately. Those kids are not adults; neither do they or Mr. Fager own that parking spot. They were defacing public property, and misrepresenting most people who have helped raise them; and, perhaps, sometimes we haven’t taught them strongly enough that hurting others in a demeaning, ugly way, hurts.
And I’m telling you, their actions hurt me and our community.
I realize Mr. Fager is trying to walk on eggs, but if we defend those kids’ degrading actions in any way, we’re just giving them the attention they want, and that instigates irresponsible actions as adults.
Our responsibilities are to help them learn to make the right decisions instead of telling them they can do whatever they want before they are ready for that privilege. These kids deserve better than that.
Thank you for giving me the right to voice my opinion. I hope it’s in the right way.
May God be a part of decisions yet to be made.
Regina Woodworth,
Iola, Kan.
