Letters on compromise, politicians, early learning, Shockers

When truth becomes misshapen, ugly

Many years ago I read Sherwood Anderson’s “Winesburg, Ohio: A Group of Tales of Ohio Small-Town Life.” The book included Anderson’s version of the “Pandora’s box” story.

Time may have fuzzed up the details in my memory, but as I recall, in the beginning of things, as people passed by each was given a beautiful “truth.” The problem: Each individual lived that truth until it became misshapen, ugly and destructive.

For me, in this age of rampant ideologies, that story is a parable. To Anderson, the truths that were distributed were like pieces of a puzzle, by themselves meaningless. When a truth joins with other truths, a picture emerges, each truth contributing its own unique color and image to become part of the whole.

As I watch the various ideologies swirl about, attacking each other, denying each other’s validity and worth until each ideology becomes misshapen, ugly and destructive, I think of Anderson’s tale.

Reality is that each ideology has a bit of truth and needs to match itself to the bit of truth in other ideologies. It is called compromise, the kind of thing that created the U.S. Constitution.

Focus on past work

In the campaign for president, some candidates blame “politicians” for the problems – real or imaginary – of the country, yet they want to get into politics themselves. How interesting.

The trend seems to be to blame others, in particular the current holders of the office. But the candidates do not mention their work, done for the public good. Close to the election, every candidate promises everything. The record, in or outside of politics, matters a lot.

Thanks to seekers of public office. They risk their reputation and possible loss in the election. If they focus on their past work for the public, it will increase their chances of success.

Learning starts early

The pressure is on high school students to select which college or university to attend upon graduation. Actually, the long road ahead starts with the infant of about 18 months of age who is held on the lap and, with the parent, looks at a picture book with large, colorful illustrations.

The attention span will be very short and must focus on the infant attending, but never forcing to do so. Talking with the child is salient in order to hear and develop beginning oral communication skills. The ability to communicate well orally is developmental and depends upon a rich speaking vocabulary, followed by interest in reading words, phrases and sentences.

A quality prekindergarten will assist the young child in becoming more proficient in listening, speaking and reading. Writing can be stressed in the preschool years, with the child dictating a short phrase or sentence and observing this being printed by the parent as the oral communication process continues. The child can then observe talk being written down in neat printed letters.

Play is a highly poignant role of all children and is a key component in growth involving cooperation and problem solving. These factors are all significant in eventually developing readiness for career and college.

Lost power couple

College basketball lost its power couple last weekend. Already we are feeling nostalgic, along with suffering a big dose of separation anxiety, about Fred VanVleet and and Ron Baker – even though they haven’t left the Wichita State University campus.

In years to come, high in the rafters of the Roundhouse, generations of Shocker lovers will look up at the banners and see the names, side by side, of these two amazing icons. To say that we’ve been fortunate to witness and be part of the golden era of Shocker basketball from 2012 to 2016 doesn’t even begin to express what is in our hearts.

We feel so connected to these two simply because they let us; they allowed us in. They stayed real and remained authentic. They made it possible for us to hitch our wagons to their stars. And they rose far beyond our wildest dreams.

This is the new Shocker story, which will be repeated time and time again. What an unimaginable legacy they leave behind.

I wish them Godspeed. And I can’t wait to watch the next chapter unfold for them.

Time to rebuild

I am glad that Wichita State University men’s basketball coach Gregg Marshall and his Shocker team held their heads high upon their return from Providence, R.I., after their defeat in the NCAA Tournament. The Shockers have accomplished much in recent years.

Now it is time to rebuild. College seniors always exit the stage someday, and it’s up to freshmen and the remaining players to pick up the ball (literally) and go forward next season. But it will take discipline and that old cliche: practice, practice, practice.

The biggest lesson is that losses may sting for a while, but the great thrill of going to the NCAA and achieving greater heights can be a longer-lasting motivator. I wish next season’s team well, and I hope the players keep their eyes on the prize, by emulating the past but also by looking forward. Rebuilding takes work.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 7:03 PM with the headline "Letters on compromise, politicians, early learning, Shockers."