This is especially true with some of our younger folks. And while we are apparently going to accept the idea that what happened hundreds of years ago is not worthy of teaching our kids, there does come a time when they need a brief history lesson.
As the old saying goes . . . "case in point." A few weeks ago, I took a group of kids to Six Flags. First let me remind you that going to Six Flags, as an adult and going to Six Flags as a kid are two very different trips. While the kids are about to burst with excitement, adults are simply about to burst. It might be from the heat, it might be from the hotdogs and cold fries, or it might be from standing in line for an hour for a two-minute ride. Whatever the reason, an implosion is always only seconds away. At any rate, when you reach this point, the last thing you want to experience is a challenge of your historical knowledge by some sixteen-year-old, snot nosed, tattooed, multi- pierced, kid.
We were standing in line for the Goliath, which apparently garnered its name based on the size of the line leading up to the ride. As we did our best imitation of a clambake, I began to hear, from the kid in question, a rather loud sampling of his oratory and vocabulary skills. In summary his favorite word began with the letter "f" and it wasn't friend. And his volume of preference as he lectured his disciples that were in line with him (see above description and multiply by 5) was very, very loud. Loud enough that the kids with me were looking up as to say "are you hearing any of this?" After awhile, his behavior and the heat overcame me and I had had enough. I advised him in polite, but very clear words, that his language was not acceptable within earshot of kids, and me for that matter. He did not agree with my view. He began to tell me, in oh so eloquent terminology, with the word "dude" being used as my description, that as he saw it his language was his prerogative. He went on to say that the last time he checked, he lived in a free country and he would say whatever the "f" he wanted to say. He made two very major mistakes in his reply. Number one, I don't believe that he knew me to be an officer of the law, who is fairly familiar with the laws that deal with disorderly conduct. Number two; he could not have known that I am someone who actually enjoys reading and studying things of a historical nature, including free speech items. So I replied to him the following.
"First of all, I doubt that you can spell prerogative, much less even know what it means. Secondly, your claim of being able to say whatever the "f" you want is not true. While you do live in a free country, even though I suspect that you also have no idea how that came to be, it does not give you the right to say whatever the "f" you want, wherever the "f" you want to say it. There are actually laws that deal with inflammatory language that actually allows someone to be arrested for their language, especially when children are present and hear those words. And if you continue to use such language, I will be sure that you are completely familiar with all of these facts, laws and their consequences by day's end. One way or the other!" I went on to say that I didn't use that language in front of my child and that he could rest assured that he would not either. And lastly, did he have any questions? He had none. Neither did his cohorts.
I am far from being a person who tries to pick a fight with a teenager. Mainly, because I have seen some teenagers who I am certain can kick my butt. But on that day, and that time, and with that heat and that line, he chose the wrong old "dude" to confront.
Apparently he decided that shutting his mouth was a better choice than going to jail. It was his prerogative.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/9/104580