Co-equality, Character Education and Winning

North Miami Beach, FL August 6, 2001 Aaron H.
Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then, Opinions pro or con are welcome.

CO-EQUALITY, CHARACTER EDUCATION AND WINNING

Of course I speak only for myself. And, of course, I don't expect everyone
to agree with me. I do ask, "What do you think?" at the end of most of my
essays.

But ideas about equality and the subject matter of "character education"
are fuzzier than most and I would like to explore them. For instance, the
tricky line in ANIMAL FARM where the statement is made that "All animals are
equal, but some animals are more equal." This is clearly true especially in
the way most people line up to be first to be sure they get more than their
share of whatever there is to be gained.

Just like drivers on the highways, lines at the checkout counters, and
getting the best grades on tests there is a lot of competition - pushing and
shoving and showing little character in being first. We like to award
winners and often wink at the way some winners push themselves forward.
"Winning is everything" is one way this has been put. Who, after all, wants
to be a loser? In all these things equality, character and winning we find
consistent human behavior - me first.

I don't think you can teach equality or character. You cannot really teach
people to wait their turn on the basis that this is Americanism - that in
turn this is based on equality and the best qualities of "character."

Most do not know of the Character Education Leagues that were popular at
the turn of the 20th Century. The characters of Presidents and
congressional leaders were studied so as to give school children goals to be
reached. This has all changed now that our heroes are the best and
beautiful on the baseball, football and tennis courts and golf and acting
"stars" are studied to see how they became WINNERS! In studying how they do
their hair, what they wear and eat - what do we learn about character?

For me the test of character is how I treat my fellow citizens and how I
educated my children to respect others rather than emphasizing winning.
Carol's Evaluation:10 out of 10.