Archive for October 2023
Who is REALLY making Ozark School District look bad?
A series of billboard images running on Hwy 65 is calling community members’ attention to problems in the Ozark School District (www.saveozarkschools.org). This criticism is uncomfortable for some people. They find it distasteful and unconstructive. They suppose that shining a spotlight on an ugly situation is itself an ugly, and perhaps even hostile, act. It…
Read MoreIf Dr. King were here today, what would he say about the Ozark School District?
A reaction to the Hwy 65 billboards criticizing the Ozark School District administration (www.saveozarkschools.org) calls to mind the criticisms Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. faced for organizing his civil rights protests. He was criticized for his timing and methodology. He was criticized for causing tension and disruption in the community. Our natural, automatic response to…
Read MoreThe Most Powerful Man in Town
Reprinted with permission from the Christian County Trumpet article published on June 7, 2023. Who is the most powerful person in your community? The mayor? The police chief? The CEO of a major corporation? Here are several possibilities: a) The guy who runs the corporation with the largest budget b)…
Read MoreCriticism: Sometimes It’s the Sincerest Form of Loyalty
There is a tendency to assume that public criticisms about problems in the Ozark School District (www.saveozarkschools.org) are an attack on the District itself. What should one do when he/she sees fatal problems developing in an institution he/she loves? The responsible, caring response is to attempt to remedy those problems from within. If subsequently expelled…
Read MoreTo See a Problem and Do Nothing is to Become Complicit in the Problem
When the house on the corner of the street has a loose dog that bites you as you walk by, what do you do? Do you try to persuade the homeowner to chain up his dog? Do you try to summon the dog catcher to come seize the dog? Do you invite the police to…
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