Posted by Sarabeth Rudd on 10/20/09 4:40 PM Last updated 10/20/09 5:43 PM [Newer: Taking on the Liberals at The College of Charleston] [Older: Real Hope for the Future! ]

Yesterday, spoke to about forty third and fourth graders in a local public school about freedom, the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and personal responsibility.

I was pretty nervous as I was preparing because even though I was only planning on sharing the history and the reason for our founding documents, the ideas of personal responsibility, freedom, and breaking away from oppressive government are quite possibly subversive ideas to some schools.

I walked into the school office, and one of the first things I saw was a framed front page of the Post and Courier. Who's in the picture? None other than our Commander in Chief. I stuffed my apprehension down and told the secretary why I was there. She knew who I was right away.

Two students were sent to escort me down the winding hall to the class where I was to speak first. Unfortunately, I misread my own planner and was about twenty minutes late. I thought I was early. I'm not sure if the teacher was cranky because of this, or because she is always cranky. This didn't help me feel any better... but I kept going anyway.

I was pleased to have a room full of kids who would answer my questions and ask their own. I told them the story of "bossy King George" and why we wanted to separate ourselves from England. I had to explain what colonies were, and also what taxation without representation is. I told them about the Constitution and what it says, including and especially the Bill of Rights. They learned that the Constitution is supposed to keep the government from getting too big and bossy like a king. They also learned what a Constitutional Republic is. We talked about the three branches of government. We talked about what freedom is and what unalienable rights are.

The best part was when I told them what freedom means for them. I looked out over a bunch of kids, and told them that because of freedom that have been given opportunity. Freedom doesn't just mean that they can do whatever they want to do. It means they have to take responsibility for their own actions. They have choices to make everyday. They have equal opportunity, but that doesn't mean equal results. Are they going to work hard to get where they want to be and do what they want to do? I said as an example that they might be free to choose to eat potato chips for every meal, but that doesn't make it a good, responsible choice, and it does have consequences. They really understood this.

That is basically what I said to both groups. I stressed so many times to these kids that they have opportunities in front of them. I told them that I had to work really hard to get where I am today, and I am still working really hard. Something else I told them was that I am wanting them to appreciate liberty and not take if for granted because sometimes, you're given something and don't realize what you have until it's gone. I want them to have a head start on appreciating this country and what our founding fathers' vision was. After all, I didn't start caring until I was around 21. Men died and never lived to see freedom so that you (the kids) and I could experience this land of opportunity everyday. These kids also heard that not everything is given to them. In fact, if they learned if they work hard to get something, they'll appreciate it even more.

I also encouraged them to know that even at their young ages their voices are important, and they can make a difference in their community. I explained that using their voice can take the form of letter writing, speaking to their parents and teachers about things that bother them, or even using art to express themselves.

One of the groups got particularly excited about rights, and started accusing their teacher of taking their "right" of playing soccer. Well, I found out that the principal of the school had taken this away from them because of behavior issues. I had the class quiet down and I told them that playing soccer is not a right. It is a privilege and they do not deserve to play soccer. They do however, have the opportunity (I love that word!) to start behaving themselves and listening to their teacher so they can deserve to play soccer. They were then dismissed back to their class.

Overall, they seemed to enjoy and understand what I was talking to them about. I'm learning so much about how to convey these ideas to different age groups. Though the kids seemed more captivated by me as a visitor and someone they could look up to, I hope this means that they really listened to what I said about freedom and their lives. Some of the kids wanted to ask me questions afterward about my writing and whether or not I used to write when I was in elementary school I said, "of course!" and told them the best thing for them to do was to start a journal. That's what I did, and I've been writing for almost as long as I can remember. One of them asked me if when I write a book, will I put his name in the dedication page. I couldn't help but think of how adorable that was. I wanted to spend more time with all of them!

As excited as I am to have made it into the public school system, my heart is heavy, as I wonder if they will truly live in freedom in the coming years. However, this just inspires me to fight even harder and educate even more people.

Tomorrow, I speak to two groups of 5th graders... I can't wait!

Posted 10/20/09 4:58 PM Bob Therina Saint Louis, MO

Great story, Sarabeth! I don't know when the time will come either, but we need as many people fighting on the side of Liberty as possible. I know that many of my ideas and appreciation for freedom and liberty started when I learned principles and concepts from a very early age so, I can assure you that you had an effect. I was a very freedom loving kid (to my parents, both joy and consternation!) I don't remember the faces from back then, but I do remember being taught principles.

Posted 10/20/09 11:35 PM Scott from PA Hopwood, PA

Keep telling as many people as you can about freedom, the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and personal responsibility. It is great that you are allowed in to a public school to talk to the students - hopefully it will catch on with enough of the teachers and the principal that they will continue to talk to future students about these important issues.

Posted 10/20/09 11:41 PM Josiah Keller Hillsboro, WI

Words do not adequately express my feelings. Good luck tomorrow!

Posted 10/21/09 12:06 PM Sarabeth Rudd Johns Island, SC

whoops! It was actually three classes today!