• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

School Kids Chant: "I Am An Obama Scholar"

I would say that this is political indoctrination of children surrounding a cult of personality that others have towards Obama. This sort of thing is not equal to dictators and their cults of personality because they are the ones who are exalting themselves and the citizens typically buy into the propaganda. It would raise suspicion if Obama was telling kids to do this and erecting statues and monuments of himself everywhere, but that isn't happening. It isn't Obama's fault that some school teacher worships him and wants to indoctrinate children. I do think this sort of thing should be stopped though.
 
jallman said:
I think that considering we are a democracy where there is choice as to what idealogy one wants to support, it does kinda impress and indoctrinate young minds to a singular idealogy when they are made to chant and exalt a political leader. There are so many apolitical people that could have revered in such a way that might not spark so much protest from outsiders looking in.

I admit that I am somewhat inflamed and my concern is raised by situations like this. And it would be one thing if this were isolated but it's not.
Click to expand...

Yeah. I just don't see the exhaultation here. In looking at the video, I noticed a few things.
1. There are way too many adults in there for a typical classroom. How do we know this isn't a boy and girls club or something.
2. If they were exhaulting Obama, they would be talking about Obama. The word most often used in there was "I" and the subject was most often about the students themselves
3. Several professions were mentioned, there were professions mentioned that Obama did not have and the word community organizer was not mentioned
4. I see no mention of Obama's philosophy, party, ideology, or etc.

Overall, this is a "yes I can" motivational moment that seems designed to encourage these people to make something out of themselves in life. I very much support those sorts of efforts as they are very much needed in areas where success isn't as easy to come by as it is in the typical suburb or better. People have to believe that they can make something of themselves before they are going to ever try. While it does mention Obama, it mentions him as if he were a role model. I see no problem with that either, it is typical to look at successful people as role models. Besides, Obama is in the news all the time and he is quite famous and well known. I very much doubt most of those kids know who Clarence Thomas or Michael Steele is.

Also, why do you not think this thing is isolated?
 
digsbe said:
I would say that this is political indoctrination of children surrounding a cult of personality that others have towards Obama. This sort of thing is not equal to dictators and their cults of personality because they are the ones who are exalting themselves and the citizens typically buy into the propaganda. It would raise suspicion if Obama was telling kids to do this and erecting statues and monuments of himself everywhere, but that isn't happening. It isn't Obama's fault that some school teacher worships him and wants to indoctrinate children. I do think this sort of thing should be stopped though.
Click to expand...

I would not call it a cult of personality. I think that is an exaggeration. It was a bad decision by the teacher, and I think motivated by the talk Obama did(that generated such controversy among the far right) for school kids.
 
I think it's rather disconcerting that a teacher would try to indoctrinate their students like that. However, I think a much more absurd picture is being painted here as if Obama and his evil minions are behind this kind of stuff. Why not blame the teacher? Well, then it becomes an isolated incident and it's not as interesting. Also, where were similar calls of outrage when people saw stuff like this:

 
Redress said:
I would not call it a cult of personality. I think that is an exaggeration. It was a bad decision by the teacher, and I think motivated by the talk Obama did(that generated such controversy among the far right) for school kids.
Click to expand...

I would say it's an unhealthy godlike image of Obama held by the teacher and propagated to the students. These people do exist, I see them all the time. However, that is due to the ignorance and blind faith that some put into Obama. However, this isn't Obama's fault and it doesn't make him like a Stalin or other dictator.

Dr_Patrick said:
I think it's rather disconcerting that a teacher would try to indoctrinate their students like that. However, I think a much more absurd picture is being painted here as if Obama and his evil minions are behind this kind of stuff. Why not blame the teacher? Well, then it becomes an isolated incident and it's not as interesting. Also, where were similar calls of outrage when people saw stuff like this:

Click to expand...


There is a difference between the two. A Jesus camp is private and can say what they want. No kids are forced to go either. Assuming that the Obama praise video was made in a public school, the difference is that tax dollars are going into indoctrinating children politically. Kids are forced to be in school, and public schools are institutions of the state that exist for educating and not propagating politics.
 
Last edited:
digsbe said:
There is a difference between the two. A Jesus camp is private and can say what they want. No kids are forced to go either. Assuming that the Obama praise video was made in a public school, the difference is that tax dollars are going into indoctrinating children politically. Kids are forced to be in school, and public schools are institutions of the state that exist for educating and not propagating politics.
Click to expand...

I see what you are saying, but I think a lot of the outrage coming from the right about this particular incident has to do more with paranoia and conspiracy theory crap. Because if you look at it logically the only person to blame here is the teacher for indoctrinating their students. The video I posted was addressing the paranoia crowd.
 
Dr_Patrick said:
I see what you are saying, but I think a lot of the outrage coming from the right about this particular incident has to do more with paranoia and conspiracy theory crap. Because if you look at it logically the only person to blame here is the teacher for indoctrinating their students. The video I posted was addressing the paranoia crowd.
Click to expand...

I agree. I think the right wants to blame Obama for everything and desperately want to cast him as a socialist dictator. Obama had nothing to do with this and all of it had to do with the teacher. In essence they are propagating a message of fear using propaganda used to propagate pupils in the public classroom :) Almost similar to what the teacher did in the first place. Hypocrisy is an ironic and funny thing.
 
digsbe said:
I would say it's an unhealthy godlike image of Obama held by the teacher and propagated to the students. These people do exist, I see them all the time. However, that is due to the ignorance and blind faith that some put into Obama. However, this isn't Obama's fault and it doesn't make him like a Stalin or other dictator.
Click to expand...

It was a tiny part of the overall(very positive) thing. I again think it was in reference to Obama talking to school kids about achievement, and that Obama is the most successful black man so far in this country(and the kids and teacher where all black), so the teacher was holding him up as a model for achievement. I do think it was a mistake on the teacher's part, as it was bound to cause controversy, but I don't think it was an attempt to indoctrinate the kids into anything other than the idea that they can be anything they want to be. Take out that one sentence and it is simply put a very positive, very appropriate, very good message for those kids.

There is a difference between the two. A Jesus camp is private and can say what they want. No kids are forced to go either. Assuming that the Obama praise video was made in a public school, the difference is that tax dollars are going into indoctrinating children politically. Kids are forced to be in school, and public schools are institutions of the state that exist for educating and not propagating politics.
Click to expand...

Just to make the point, is this for sure a public school?
 
megaprogman said:
And what are they being taught to think in this case?
Click to expand...

To be like and emulate a sitting President. Instead, they should be told to be themselves, and to think for themselves. You don't seem to want to discuss the obvious issue of school choice or parental involvement - but hope for some partisan statement or mistake. Amirightoramiright?

Redress said:
Just to make the point, is this for sure a public school?
Click to expand...

Yep. My info says this is the Lincoln-Bassett School in New Haven CT.

http://www.greatschools.org/connecticut/new-haven/593-Lincoln-Bassett-School/
 
Last edited:
Ockham said:
To be like and emulate a sitting President. Instead, they should be told to be themselves, and to think for themselves. You don't seem to want to discuss the obvious issue of school choice or parental involvement - but hope for some partisan statement or mistake. Amirightoramiright?
Click to expand...

Actually, they where told to be anything they want to be, up to the President. Listen to the whole thing.
 
Redress said:
Actually, they where told to be anything they want to be, up to the President. Listen to the whole thing.
Click to expand...

If that were true, the chant wouldn't be needed. :shrug:
 
Ockham said:
If that were true, the chant wouldn't be needed. :shrug:
Click to expand...

Huh? That is what the chant was about, being anything they want to be, and letting no obstacle stop them from achieving it. You seem to be confused as to what the content of the chant is.
 
Redress said:
It was a tiny part of the overall(very positive) thing. I again think it was in reference to Obama talking to school kids about achievement, and that Obama is the most successful black man so far in this country(and the kids and teacher where all black), so the teacher was holding him up as a model for achievement. I do think it was a mistake on the teacher's part, as it was bound to cause controversy, but I don't think it was an attempt to indoctrinate the kids into anything other than the idea that they can be anything they want to be. Take out that one sentence and it is simply put a very positive, very appropriate, very good message for those kids.
Click to expand...
I agree, however the controversy is that the line and message is in there. I guess it's a matter of perception if this counts as propagating kids or if it's simply passing a good message while including the fact that Obama, as a black man, is the president. Regardless, it was a foolish move on the teachers part. I think it's equally foolish for people to claim this makes Obama like a dictator with a cult of personality though. I wonder if the teacher has commented on any of this or states their intent.

Just to make the point, is this for sure a public school?
Click to expand...
I just looked into that and I think it's a public school. Here is their website "about us" section. http://www.nhps.net/node/4
According to http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/06/16/school_kids_chant_i_am_an_obama_scholar.html the school this was done at was Lincoln Bassett Middle School in CT. Their website from the link says
The vision of New Haven Public Schools is to ensure that all students will learn, succeed, think independently and value all people.
Click to expand...
I think I have the right school and that it is indeed a public school. If this was a private school I would be fine with this even if I think it is still a stupid decision by the teacher.
 
jallman said:
It wasn't appropriate then and it isn't now.
Click to expand...

ONe of my better school memories to tell you the truth. But as you guys are making more of it than it is, one teacher versus a conparacy, it strukes me as more than a little silly.
 
digsbe said:
I agree, however the controversy is that the line and message is in there. I guess it's a matter of perception if this counts as propagating kids or if it's simply passing a good message while including the fact that Obama, as a black man, is the president. Regardless, it was a foolish move on the teachers part. I think it's equally foolish for people to claim this makes Obama like a dictator with a cult of personality though. I wonder if the teacher has commented on any of this or states their intent.
Click to expand...

I have never argued that it was not inappropriate. It was not. It was also to my mind not a big deal. The overall chant was very, very positive, and I think using Obama as a positive role model for black children is good(and as I have mentioned before, Condeleeza Rice would be another good one to use). I do think that the wording was poorly thought out and unneeded(the line "including the president" in the list of things the kids would be was enough), but I doubt it was an attempt to indoctrinate the kids into some cult of personality, or particularly sinister in intent. I think it was just a mistake.


I just looked into that and I think it's a public school. Here is their website "about us" section. About NHPS | NHPS
According to RealClearPolitics - Video - School Kids Chant: "I Am An Obama Scholar" the school this was done at was Lincoln Bassett Middle School in CT. Their website from the link says
I think I have the right school and that it is indeed a public school. If this was a private school I would be fine with this even if I think it is still a stupid decision by the teacher.
Click to expand...

I will happily take your word for it. I was just curious.
 
Redress said:
I have never argued that it was not inappropriate. It was not. It was also to my mind not a big deal. The overall chant was very, very positive, and I think using Obama as a positive role model for black children is good(and as I have mentioned before, Condeleeza Rice would be another good one to use). I do think that the wording was poorly thought out and unneeded(the line "including the president" in the list of things the kids would be was enough), but I doubt it was an attempt to indoctrinate the kids into some cult of personality, or particularly sinister in intent. I think it was just a mistake.
Click to expand...
It seems we completely agree on this. I personally think the teacher meant well but didn't think things out enough and the right wing jumped upon it and spun it to make it something that it isn't.
 
digsbe said:
It seems we completely agree on this. I personally think the teacher meant well but didn't think things out enough and the right wing jumped upon it and spun it to make it something that it isn't.
Click to expand...

You liberal!
 
Ockham said:
You're smart. Add 1+1.
Click to expand...

You misunderstood the video in OP + you post some other video = you are trying to hide the fact you did not understand the first video.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom