Wisdom Of The Ages. Great Age Not Required

Do you remember hearing about the 10 year old boy from Arkansas who told a substitute teacher to “go jump off a bridge” after she told him to say the pledge of allegiance?   It created quite a stir, and is still getting the dander up in certain circles.

The Next Family website has an excellent interview with Will and his parents, go check it out, here. ( I love the title “Will the Conqueror” )

It’s clear from the interview that Will is an extraordinary young man, being raised by intelligent, caring parents.  It’s heartening to see such clarity of thought in such a young person, and I suspect this young man will go far in life.   Articulate, and polite, his response to the substitute teacher was prefaced with “with all due respect…” This was after several days of the teacher telling him to stand and recite the pledge.  That was apparently the straw that broke the camel’s back, and got him sent to the Principle’s office.  One thing led to another, and before you know it, satellite trucks from CNN are appearing at the Phillips home.  Articles at The Huffington Post followed, as well as a phone call from a movie star, who remains unnamed.

Of course, celebrity carries a price, especially when it results from a principled stand that is in opposition to what those around you believe.

Will has had issues with bullying at school, and remarks in the CNN interview that he has been called a “gay wad” in the hallways.  Unsure of what that means, he chalks it up to a discriminatory term towards gays.  Young Will has already spoken to his parents, and is reasonably sure he’s straight.  That conversation sparked by his interest in a young lady at school!  (You go boy!)

Here’s the CNN interview:

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It is a pleasure to see such a bright, self-confident young man taking a stand for something he believes in, and at such a young age.  It’s clear the parents are supportive, but not manipulative, of Will and his beliefs.  This may be the beginnings of a national leader, with a bright public future.  Or it could be a momentary spotlight, a moment in a life that soon returns to the interests of a bright pre-adolescent, and then teenager, while fading from the public eye.  Only time will tell.  Whatever Will does, I bet he does it well, and brings his own unique stamp to the endeavors of his future.  Good job, Will.  Good job, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips.  Thank you all.

Until we have “liberty and justice for all”, the struggle continues.

[Via http://queervisalia.com]