For the second part of our series on education, let’s turn to the student’s point of view. I’ve known Myles Freeman for about a decade, since he was a student at Saluda Elementary, and one of my son’s friends. I’d like to able to claim that I long ago recognized he would rise above the pack. You know — the way some teachers say they can identify right from kindergarten who will succeed and who will fail. But the truth is, Myles was pretty much like any other student. Exceptionally good at some things, like soccer — and a relatively free spirit who seemed to able to choose friends wisely — but not obviously destined to take on the establishment.
Fast forward to this past February, to the monthly meeting of the Polk Schools Board of Education. Like most meetings, the open portion wrapped up with public comments. One member of the audience walked to the microphone, spent the first 45 seconds of her allotted three minutes saying a prayer, and then demanded that the school do something about trans students, implying that they constitute a threat.
A few minutes later, Myles walked to the microphone to give a rebuttal. Even though i hadn’t yet begun to work on this podcast, i knew right then that i wanted Myles to be a guest, if for no other reason than any fourteen-year-old who’s brave enough to stand up to bullying parents at a school board meeting deserves more than three minutes to be heard. We talked a few weeks ago in Saluda.
Resources: What really happened in Loudon, Virginia:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/28/opinion/loudoun-county-trans.html
Gender identity ban proposed for NC Schools:
https://www.wral.com/parent-bill-of-rights/20298276/
A primer on gender dysphoria:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transgender-healthcare-trans-day-of-visibility/
