I keep thinking about this “Safe Haven” status for our schools. And wondering about some things. It seems to me that all of us want our kids to feel safe in school so that they can concentrate on learning without fear. And for the life of me, I can't figure out what's wrong with adding an extra layer of protection, in the form of a safe haven or a sanctuary for all of our youth. Heck, it just might allow all of them to feel more secure. I know that this is important to me. Is it important to you?
I can't figure out why anyone would be opposed to it. Is it because we have been told that we should fear certain groups of people by our President and the radio and TV programs we listen to and watch.
It seems to me, that In our country, we have always maintained that all people are created equal and have equal rights. If that's the case, is it reasonable to expect that all people have the right to a safe place or haven?
That got me thinking about what our Constitution has to say about who is protected under its provisions. What I found was rather interesting. In the fourth, fifth and sixth amendments it talks about the rights of “the people.” Then I started wondering, if only citizens of our country are protected under the provisions of the constitution, why doesn't it refer to citizens instead of the people?
There's another thing I don't understand. Why would anyone want their child to be in a situation where an armed individual could come into their school and remove one of their friends from a classroom? Wouldn't that be a traumatizing experience for the children? Would you want your child to be confronted with that kind of situation? I know I not would want my children to be faced with something like that.
The thought of someone coming into school and removing a child got me to thinking about something else. What would Jesus do in a situation like this? Remember, he tells us to love and care for one another and not to fear and hate each other. So, I wonder if he would be for or against making our schools “Safe Havens” or “Sanctuaries” for all children? What do you think?
Lowell Young
Mariposa, CA.
