San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Lesson for the future
Re: “Flags can show pride — or traitors’ true colors,” Columnist Elaine Ayala, Metro, June 10:
I read with interest the column concerning students draping Mexican flags over themselves at their graduations.
I have a different view of their actions. Their desires to
show appreciation could have been carried out in a different fashion, in private, in a home setting, perhaps a family gathering — but not in a public situation infringing upon the rights of their classmates and families.
These students and families had been informed of certain rules and protocols. Ayala mentions the students knew they were breaking the rules and that “petty” officials were more concerned with protocols than their students’ joy.
These youngsters will soon find out their lack of discipline, inability to follow instruction and careless behavior will not be tolerated in workplaces, college and military careers, or other endeavors. Their obstacles will be difficult to overcome if they do not have the character to follow instruction, even if they have skills, talents and abilities. This was their “commencement,” and I hope this breach of decorum is not an indication of what is to come. Entering the real world will require learning to cope with the enforcement of rules and an imposed self-enforcement regimen.
I was asked to speak to a graduating class. I told the class to be good to your old man and old lady. I meant they need to be good to the person they were going to be 20, 30, 40, 50 years from now. Will they be content that their goals were accomplished? Or disappointed their dreams and goals were not fulfilled because of missed opportunities? Self-discipline creates motivation; control of emotions should be cultivated at early ages of life, starting at home and school. Counselors at school should spend more time cultivating a sense of civic responsibility instead of seeking ways to punish.
Abel Araiza Sr.