I recently read an essay by Lynda Barry titled “The Sanctuary of School”. While I was reading the first few paragraphs I was thinking to myself, “What is the purpose of the story she is telling.” Then right at the end of the essay I understood.
Barry was sharing a story from her childhood on how she would look forward to going to school every day. No one really cared or paid any attention to her when she was at home. She would even leave early in the morning to get to school because she knew there were people there who cared for her and she would be to express herself through art classes. It was quite saddening to be honest. She then went on to discuss the fact that art and music programs are being cut from schools more and more every year.
Everything that Barry said about the school system is exactly on point. I have always believed in art, music and sports programs and now they are slowly being removed from the school system as a whole. It’s quite disappointing to think about. As society we teach kids at a young age that they can be whatever they want to be when they grow up. But how does society expect them to discover their talents if we as a country don’t provide them the necessary resources to do so?
Every day that kids walk in and out of schools they possess hid treasures within themselves. A school could have the next Van Gough sitting within the walls but won’t ever know it because they don’t help to bring forth the talent. It seems that all the schools care about are the main courses like math, science, history, and English. If a child’s strengths aren’t in those courses then it isn’t fair. He won’t be able to show what he’s capable of because we’ve placed the value of education on only a few subjects. Each child has a gift and should be able to grow it and show it.
Until next time…
– Peanut
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