The War on Kids - ACLU Juvenile Justice Program
Too often, our children are subjected to prison-like school security and arbitrary punishments, despite public outcry. Please join the ACLU of Michigan Oakland Branch as we take at look at public education, both locally and nationally.
Monday, February 18 - Screening of The War on Kids
7 p.m. at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main, Royal Oak)
Wednesday, February 27 - Discussing Juvenile Justice
7 p.m. at the Royal Oak Public Library (222 E. 11 Mile, Royal Oak)
The award-winning film The War On Kids explores the difficulty of how the public school system balances safety concerns with respect for young people's freedom.
The following week, we'll gather with juvenile justice experts to discuss what lessons we can learn about school discipline and how to advocate for young people in a world that seems to give up on them too quickly.
See attached flyer.
These events are free and open to the public. (Suggested donation of $5 for the movie to offset costs of screening).
Gillian Talwar
4:16 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
See this latest article in The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/article/172895/war-drugs-war-kids?rel=emailNation
Ronald Wolf
10:42 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Unfortunately, many in the ACLU an organization with a mission that is sometimes askew with reality, have not spent a day in an inner city classroom, and for that matter many surburban classrooms where teachers have been stripped of "loco parentis" due to the abuses of a few. When I began teaching in Hells Kitchen made famous by Westside Story and Welcome Back Kotter, on my best days I felt like Kotter. With no support from administration I made alliances with apparent gang leaders who sometimes helped, but often just laughed with the rest at my distress. I wondered why all our Marines were in Vietnam, they should have this job. Those big guys would not need an M16 to handle problems that I sometimes felt would be easier to handle if they gave me one as back up.
Its ironic that many suggest our teachers should be armed today. In my day knives and an occassional zip gun were the problem.
Gillian Talwar
9:33 am on Monday, February 18, 2013
Thanks for your input Ronald. I hope you come and see the movie and then join the discussion at the Royal Oak Library on February 27.