Subject: Debate on War With Iraq Is Entering the Classroom
From: Otis Willie 
Date: Mon, 02 Dec 2002 00:09:49 GMT

Debate on War With Iraq Is Entering the Classroom

(EXCERPT) By LYNETTE CLEMETSON

REM, Utah u It was barely 8:30 in the morning, and already the debate
over Iraq had hit fever pitch. "The administration has the right to
act quickly," one passionate speaker said. "The president is just
doing this for political gain," fired back an opponent. "Saddam has
proven he can't be trusted," lobbed another.

The discussion was still going strong when the bell rang for change of
class. "Already?" a lanky teenager groaned, as he scooped up his
books.

Anyone who thinks young people are not paying attention to the brewing
conflict with Iraq should visit the first-period social studies class
at Lakeridge Junior High School here in Orem, a quiet town north of
Provo. Students in Donell Willey's world studies class here have
debated the Iraq issue five times this school year. The spirited
discussions sometimes carry over to the lunchroom, to online messages
or into evening phone calls that might otherwise be devoted to the
latest episode of "Yu-Gi-Oh," the new Japanese anime craze.

Not since the Vietnam War, it seems, have young people been so engaged
in America's foreign policy. On college campuses, students on both
sides of the Iraq issue are organizing protests, debates and
symposiums. Young professionals are convening online discussion groups
to pick apart daily news developments. And discussions like those at
Lakeridge are taking place in junior high and high schools around the
country.

Some veterans of the student movement of the 1960's say today's
discussions are more informed and nuanced than those that took place
in the early days of American milit...

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http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/01/education/01CHIL.html

---------------------------
   Otis Willie
   Associate Librarian
   The American War Library
   http://www.americanwarlibrary.com

 

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