We all receive lessons throughout our lives no matter how old or young we may be.  I don’t know how other people have been taught or when, I can only speak of my own life experience.  I was fortunate that I started out on a farm in Central Texas with parents of limited educations yet full of wisdom and knowledge.

I learned that we all had duties and responsibilities we were expected to fulfill and when completed blended into a complete family atmosphere.  I was taught when I was called by my parents I responded.  I didn’t question why or when I needed to respond, I just did it.  They were the authority figure.  It didn’t take long to figure out, if I did as directed I would avoid discomfort and displeasure in the near future.

An example of the discomfort I experienced concerned a new lariat my father had purchased.  I spent several hours roping the fence post that lined the south side of our yard.  When finished I dropped the lariat on the ground beneath the big cedar tree that held our swing.  My father reminded me the rope needed to be taken to the barn and put up as I nodded in acknowledgement.  Later I was again reminded about the rope laying in the yard.  Before going to bed that evening I was questioned about the rope and I lied that I had handled it and all was well.  Next morning the rope was still where I left it.  My father called me over and we had a discussion about minding and then about lying.  That led to the one spanking I got as a youngster that I still recall with all the details that led up to it.  I learned that when told to do something by the authority figure, whoever it might be, just do it.  The repercussions would be much less severe if I followed that lesson.

Another stage of my life was formal education.  I started school in a three room schoolhouse.  My first three grades were in the same room with the same teacher.  In essence this enabled me to spend one-third of my day receiving second grade schooling and one-third receiving third grade while actually being in the first grade.  As with most young people, I did not look forward to homework, especially reading assignments.  Failing to do as I was instructed gave me the opportunity to figure out who the authority figures in school were.  Punishment ranged from the occasional spanking to having to sit on the rock fence in front of the school so all could see who had been disobeying.  The most severe punishment was climbing the flag pole with the principal using his belt to encourage better habits until we were out of reach.  When disciplined at school I knew my parents would know about it when I got home.  Teachers and parents communicated.

Throughout life we all continue to receive lessons in both work and play.  When told to do something it’s much better to obey, just do it.  The exception to obeying would be if you were told to do something immoral, illegal or sinful.  We will have authority figures of some type to answer to all our lives.

I was encouraged all the time in every way possible that I could achieve anything and become whatever I wanted to be.  I was taught that there were different people with diverse ethnic backgrounds, heritages and beliefs yet they were to be treated with respect and courtesy at all times.  One never knew when they would need help from members of these groups or when you might find yourself working for someone different from yourself.  The education didn’t stop in the classroom or school, it continued at home and in the community.

The social challenges facing our country today could be lessened, but they will never be eliminated, if people still got these lessons and applied them to their daily lives.  There will always be racists and bullies we must deal with, we just need to know how to deal with them.  I believe everyone red, yellow, black and white have the opportunity to live a safe life and the capability to improve their stations in life.  I don’t believe that all police are out to shoot black men.  There are some rotten white cops and there are honorable white cops.  There is no group destined to mistreat other groups of people.  There are the few that need to be uncovered and dealt with.  I hear tearful mothers on television relating how they teach their kids to beware of cops.  They teach that all cops lay in waiting for them to abuse and harm them, or possibly kill them.  I have never heard one of these mothers state publicly that they teach their kids to obey the law and law officers.  When a cop says stop, just stop.  Injustices cannot be tolerated but neither can they be encouraged on.

Parents have the responsibility to teach their young how to succeed in the world in which they live.  Theirs’s is the responsibility of instilling respect and courtesy to others.  Teachers need to educate all students in truth and fairness, the student needs to be taught not to disrupt but participate in learning.  I say this tongue in cheek.  There is not enough discipline or order in the classrooms for teachers to teach.  Parents are not doing their jobs. Drug dealing in the hallways and bullying are rampant in the schools because parents do not teach their kids at home.  All citizens must learn to, and then act in ways that are respectful to others and remember common courtesy.  We have introduced a generation that expects everything to be free and therefore we have a weak work ethic.

Instead of adding fuel to the fire our political leaders and law enforcement personnel must immediately stop the hate and lead by example of how we can all live together.  A few bad apples cannot be allowed to ruin a nation of 330,000,000 people.  Everyone must have and show pride and stop destroying their local communities and join the effort to make America great again.

It’s a difficult challenge to say a lot and keep it short, but I have tried.  I don’t mind getting older, I just wish the rest of my body would feel the same way.

The thoughts and ideas expressed above are exclusively those of Jack Straley and www.justplaintalkwithjack.com  We may agree, and that’s fine, or we may disagree, that’s okay too.  My sole purpose is to encourage others to think, study, and become involved. Exercise your freedom and above all, when presented the opportunity, please vote.