Weymouth High School - Campus / Reflector Yearbook (Weymouth, MA)

Page 27 text:

23 had not been granted to Ralph Bunche, the grandson of an American slave and an orphan at the age of twelve, he never could have risen to the office he now holds. His work as acti ng mediator of the United Nations Palestine Commission is considered by many the most important and critical assign- ment in the history of the United Nations. His story is only one of many that could be mentioned. Indeed, our whole standard of living is a result of this democratic pattern of life. Surely in this we have an answer to the critics of democracy. For under what other form of government is the indi- vidual given so many opportunities? The development of a system of public education is perhaps America ' s best illustration of the equality of opportunity in action. Here, every person is allowed and encouraged to receive at least twelve years of free schooling. A wide choice of subject matter is offered, and he is given a chance to learn as much as he wishes. Furthermore, scholarships are available for the scien- tist and teacher, the athlete and musician. Recently LIFE magazine told the heartwarming story of the parents of a dozen children. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Martin of Maryland had an income of less than $80 a week. Yet, by hard work and scholarships, each of their children received a college degree. Where but in America does such opportunity exist? Many argue that our schools cater only to the average student, that no special arrangement is made for the superior, as is true in Europe. We must admit that there are short- comings in our present system; however, progress is being made continually toward educating every individual in accordance with his desires and capa- bilities. Many other developments have also come about as a result of our sense of equality of opportunity and our educational program. Today ninety-five per cent, of the government positions are open to anyone who qualifies by passing Civil Service, while in the armed forces, many capable young men who have never had the opportunity of attending a military school are now eligible for officer training. Social Security further puts the American ideals into action by retaining the dignity of her senior citizens. As we can see, many areas where similar advantages did not exist are gradually being brought under the general policy of equal opportunity for all. Furthermore, America has taken steps to safeguard the individual rights of liberty and equality, so that they may never be alienated. The decision of the Supreme Court to curb the illegal proceedings of investigating commit- tees is only one example of America ' s constant watch over her people. Previously, the Sherman Anti-Trust Act was put into effect to protect the small businessman against the large monopoly. The Wagner Act gave the laborer a chance to bargain collectively with his employer, while the consumer has been cared for by the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act. Yet neither the Bill of Rights nor any other law can itself safeguard our American principles. The tenets of democracy can be preserved only when thoughtful and enlightened people act according to their beliefs. We, the youth of today, the leaders of tomorrow, must be these people. We, who have received all of our nation ' s richest blessings, must return to her at least some portion of our talents. Let us thank America, this America who has said to us, her youth, Be the best of whatever you are. Let us give her our best.

Page 26 text:

When the Founding Fathers framed our Constitution, their fundamental aim was to establish a government, under God, in which the people would be supreme. Each citizen would be given the opportunity of achieving his greatest potential. He would have every possible freedom to develop his own particular talent. In every way his God-given rights would be protected. Truly the men who drafted the Constitution gave to us a magnificent docu- ment. Yet how few of us really appreciate the privileges it guarantees us as individuals! At the time of the writing of the Constitution, men wanted equality of opportunity more than anything else. They believed that each man ' s natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness came to him from God. The framers of the Constitution demonstrated their belief in this idea by incorporating these truths in the final draft. Thus was proved that the ideal of equality has always been a fundamental American principle. From it have come all of our ideals of liberty, justice, peace and security. Never in America will opportunity be restricted only to those of wealth or racial prestige. Our democracy is indeed built on God-given principles. That the ideal of equality as expressed by the Founding Fathers has had a profound influence in our national life cannot be denied. For example, in 1913, labor was given its rightful place in the political scheme, when the Secretary of Labor became a member of the President ' s Cabinet. In our gr eat nation, rich and poor, industrialist and laborer, financier and farmer, cast their ballots side by side, giving evidence of a true democracy. However, we realize that all do not have the same ability. Hence we do not believe that all goods should be divided equally or that social distinctions can be eliminated by government action. Some idealistic theories maintain that a system such as Communism is possible. We cannot agree, because that program deprives men of ambition and a competitive spirit. We believe that true equality refers only to the natural rights of the individual and the opportunity for their fulfilment. For example, if equality of opportunity

Page 28 text:

24 EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRATIC LIVING Mary Ethel Hurst 1 What a blessing it is to live in America! How wonderful to be a citizen in a nation which believes in God as the source or all power and law! What a privilege to participate in a democracy that gives each citizen equal rights regardless of race, color, or creed. Yet what a grave responsibility this priv- ilege, this blessing, places upon us; for America, in her present position of world leadership, must prove to the world the beauty of democratic living. She can do this only by setting a functioning example — an example so fine and so successful that other nations will follow it voluntarily. The respon- sibility for setting this example rests with us, the citizens of the United States. So great is this responsibility that it can be met only by an enlight- ened citizenry, capable of leading and of selecting wise leaders. Education, the education of all of our people, is the sole hope toward this enlightenment. During recent years much has been written concerning education in America, giving evidence that we are most aware of its vital importance. One reads articles on many diverse aspects of education: the need for em- phasis upon science, the lack of ethical and spiritual values, and the impor- tance of greater self-discipline. One hears arguments both in favor of and opposed to various systems of instruction. It is so easy to become preoccupied with techniques and secondary objectives that one loses sight of the primary purpose of education in our democracy. The primary purpose is to produce good citizens, just as our American forbears resolved when they first established our free-education system. These men of integrity realized that the security and freedom of our nation depended upon the quality as well as the equality of the citizens. They knew that our democratic system itself, to be successful, must develop character. Knowing this, they began an educational system which they hoped would enable all to uphold the highest ideals of our democracy. With the purpose of producing good citizens, our educational system was founded; now, over