OPINION: The downsides of being uninformed

Lately, it seems if it’s not about the election, or some conservative making a witty remark about abortion, or a hurricane, people aren’t going to pay attention to it. However, there are things that hit closer to home and it seems a majority of people in Manual are either out of the loop, or just plain don’t care. We make jokes about it because it’s frighteningly hilarious that you don’t know the Romney’s running mate, or Obama’s platform. But did you know right here in our own state, the School Board elections are currently happening? It’s so funny if you didn’t. Do you know what district you live in? I’m crying from laughter, really.
Right now, there are three seats open due to retirement in Districts 2, 4, and 7 with 15 people running for them. You may live in one of these districts, you may not. But that does not make these any less important. The school board has the ability to implement change. According to Encyclopedia of Education by Gale, an education research publishing company, by state legislative enactment, school boards are delegated power and authority to develop policies, rules, and regulations to control the operation of the schools, including system organization, school site location, school finance, equipment purchase, staffing, attendance, curriculum, extracurricular activities, and other functions essential to the day-to-day operation of schools within the district’s boundaries. So basically everything school related. Issues this time include the student diversity plan, which is a major part of the future for every student. This may seem kind of important, probably because it is. When’s the last time you wrote a letter to the school board or went to a meeting? Or anyone you know?
There are better ways to change something, and there are more people capable of change than they think. You don’t just get mad and hope someone knows you’re mad, I mean unless you’re four, in which case it’s cute.. That’s pretty much like trying to go the opposite way around the merry-go-round. There are ways to do things and when the people who have potential to make change get switched out with someone else, you pay attention. It’s the reason elections aren’t private anymore and haven’t been since 1824. Elections are now in the public eye, open to questioning, unless no one bothers to ask.
Doing is always better than saying. In fact, try it. Say something and see if the world shifts before your very eyes. If it does, you’re a wizard and I bow down to your almightiness. But for the rest of us mortals nothing will happen. This rule does not just apply in voting or going to a meeting. There are possibilities for change in your own life. But how can you change what you know nothing about. Such a downfall, it’s almost funny.
Any chance a person has to make a difference, go out and vote, or just simply know what’s going on, they should take it. There is no such thing as negative knowledge, or even a bad opinion, and yours matters.

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