Important Values Rejected In Science Center Vote
For more than a year I have devoted my free time to a purpose that I thought best exemplified my values and hopes of where we as a community should be moving and growing. I chose carefully something that I thought could make the biggest difference.
I felt good about working to bring the Pacific Science Center to our city’s heart. I was devastated to see it fail.
The full impact of this travesty hits me when I listen to my children. The message they heard, loud and clear, is that the adults of their community think carnival rides are better for children than learning. How can I impart my “family values” when our community’s values seem so misguided?
Think of the money that our society now spends on passive entertainment such as TV, movies, spectator sports and amusement rides. Are we getting our money’s worth?
Each of us desperately needs to think about the kind of changes we can make in our own communities that will have positive effects on our children’s futures.
What inspires and motivates children to become productive members of society?
Can you name three famous scientists living today? Even young children would have no difficulty naming three sports heroes. How many wannabe professional athletes are there compared to wannabe engineers? What is the more realistic goal for a child?
Things such as the Pacific Science Center that are wildly popular with children and adults, and that have a proven success elsewhere, are good investments in our children’s futures. We as a community need to realize the full impact of this vote. We sent a disturbing value statement to the children of our community that science and education are a low priority.
I hope other disheartened crusaders for positive change will join me in saying, “I won’t give up,” and will continue to work toward what they believe in. As disappointed by this missed opportunity as I am, I remind myself constantly of the words of Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, “there is not enough darkness in the world to extinguish the light of even one candle”.
MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion page. To submit a column for consideration, call Rebecca Nappi/459-5496, or Doug Floyd/459-5466.