Apparently I don't talk enough.

[xp_cyclops]

[I wasn't going to make this public. I started to, and then I stopped, and tried to let cooler heads prevail. It didn't work.]

I'm not one for idle conversation.

I'm also not a person who speaks when they don't have all the information, and aren't sure of the situation.

Apparently, to some people at this school, this is the equivalent of treating them like children.

I guess I have been keeping secrets then, simply because I haven't been talking. I haven't been speaking up first.

I hereby apologize to each and every person at this school for my behavior.

I am not social. I am not a people person. Logan once said I was a dick. He wasn't wrong.

However, in an attempt to mend fences and in the interest of not alienating students any MORE, I hereby offer to answer any question put to me as honestly and truthfully as I am able. And tell you if I am not able to answer that. Even why, if I can.

It's a step. A step toward opening up. Toward not treating you like children.

Take it.

Comments

[x-juggernaut.livejournal.com]

Out of curiosity, what exactly is wrong with treating children like children?

Re:

[x-rogue.livejournal.com]

The short answer to your question is: A great deal.

Childhood is a state of innocence and often ignorance, Mr. Marko, not a function of physical age. Since most of the young people here seem to have been liberated from that state, attempting to impose it on them again is hardly going to be healthy or effective. After a refractory period of resource evaluation, assimilation of knowledge, and the reconstruction of trust in the protective framework of the adults around them, most young people will naturally seek to return to the normative state of 'childhood'. However, ignoring the fact that innocence and ignorance has been stripped away, even going so far as to patronize, is a betrayal in and of itself and reduces the likelihood of repairing trust bonds and the healthy facade that the mind maintains to protect a growing person until they can protect themselves.

While the archaic idea that 'treating children like children' may appeal, it is nothing less than ineffective in the face of serious traumatic episodes. I can loan you a text on the issue if you like.

Re:

[x-juggernaut.livejournal.com]

And that's all fine and dandy, but if you want to start giving these children the privileges of the adults, you've got to start holding them to the discipline and responsibility that comes with it. Way I hear it, we've got two students with mob connections that almost got some of the little kids killed, not to mention one of these little gangbanger wannabes talking about handing out guns to the kids to defend themselves.

Adults take punishment for their actions. These children want responsibility, I say they've got to earn it.

Re:

[x-rogue.livejournal.com]

Without question, I agree. You'll note I've said something to that effect in my post to the staff journal. And it's not me being patronizing, it's a fact that priviledge or freedoms given too early without the /security/ of a framework of accountability and responsibility can be emotionally damaging to anyone but especially younger people and I'm not unwilling to include myself in there.

Re:

[x-skin.livejournal.com]

That's not what I said. I don't know what you heard or where you heard it, but my offer was just to take anyone who wants to the shooting range and give them a few lessons. Mr. Summers knows about it, and agrees as long as there aren't any unsecured guns lying round the house. Which there won't be - or not 'cause of me, anyway.

Re:

[x-juggernaut.livejournal.com]

That's right, because there won't be ANY guns fired in this house. I know there's some folks who go out to the old archery range out back to shoot rifles, Doctor MacTaggart's in charge of that.

And if a kid like you thinks he's going to be teaching the other children how to "defend" themselves by shooting people, maybe you ought to discuss it with the Professor and not his sidekick, you think?

Re:

[x-skin.livejournal.com]

I never intended to have the lessons in the house. I'll be discussing it with Dr. MacTaggart and the Professor both, real soon.

Anyway, shooting lessons was only part of what I offered - not everybody wants to learn to use a gun. I'm willing to teach people any of what I know.

And before you go calling me a kid, try bothering to find out something about me.