Please don't change

The dance season is beginning again and I resumed company class this week. One of the girls preparing to leave for college came to class on Tuesday and was saying good-bye to everyone afterwards. While hugging her, one of the mothers told her to 'not change what she thinks.' "Don't let those teachers change your mind about what is right and what is wrong - you can change your hair or your clothes, but don't become liberal!" I burst into laughter - which gained me several stern glances, so I quickly left and continued chuckling as I walked to my car.

Almost as ironic as the least educated being those most convinced of their views is the inherent fear of education which accompanies dogmatism. After all, when you are certain that which you believe is the absolute truth, education - the one thing that ensures minds will open and ideals will change - must naturally be your worst enemy.