The Head's Perspective

In the current online edition of our student newspaper, The Hawk's Eye, two students provide opposing viewpoints with persuasive and original thought on the now worldwide Occupy movement. Their article is titled "The Occupy Movement: What's the Deal?" In this piece, they open with a neutral introductory description of the movement with admirable journalistic integrity and balance. They put the issue within historical context for the reader. They each then describe their opposing viewpoints with thoughtful and thought provoking writing. The pro side starts, "The Occupy Wall Street movement is a classically American Phenomenon." The con side begins with, "Historically speaking, an amorphous revolution does not suceed." As an educator, as a reader of news, and as a father, I am proud on several levels. The students are interested in engaging with important and complicated social issues. They are writing with balance and force. They are writing from a perspective of knowledge and context. They are making their point without yelling.