by Mary Wakefield Buxton –
URBANNA — Two major issues that have caused controversy and angst in Middlesex County in the last year are moving the monument of the Confederate war dead at the Middlesex County Historic Courthouse and mask mandates for children in school.
As a lifelong student of history and a past teacher in both public and private schools in Virginia, I am opposed to both removal of monuments in memory of any soldiers killed in battle and continuing mask mandates for children in school.
However, I believe in the role of peacemakers who are far too rare in a population today so inclined to making demands and crying “I’m offended!” To this point, I have been offended by society since the moment I was born, almost as if I had taken a good look through infant eyes at the world awaiting me and had seen what man does to his fellow man and decided I would rather go back to whence I came!
However, to live is to be offended. One lesson we learn as we mature is we must tolerate a certain amount of offense at the behavior and words (perhaps at words such as these?) of our fellow man if we want to live in a free society. But that does not mean we like or agree with everything in society, it simply means we tolerate others because we value living in a free society.
Few, if any, want a life spent in a totalitarian government that commands how we live, think and behave, rather we want to keep our American right to pursue happiness as we see fit and not have Big Government dictating our every move.
Developing tolerance is the first step to living in a free society and then comes compromise. To achieve this, the board of supervisors might respect the location of the monument, but put up a plaque that honors memory of those men who fought to protect their homeland but without any hoopla regarding the Confederacy… along with some indication of memory of our enslaved ancestors that provided much of the labor that built this county, a memorial long overdue.
As for masks, frankly it repulses me that our children must don masks all day long in school, shut down almost like a muzzled dog, and I believe the masks should come off immediately.
I have three grandchildren that have been forced to wear masks and they are crying out, literally begging, to be set free. During a time in their young development when they are trying desperately to grow up, learn how to socialize, communicate and be accepted by their peers, they are muzzled. One child in high school has been so depressed after two years that she hardly wants to go to college. How tragic to be so turned off on education just as she will graduate from high school!
When I think of her negative feelings at a time in her life when she should be on fire with motivation and curiosity for higher learning, I fear for the future of our nation. It’s possible that masks have caused severe emotional, intellectual and mental damage to our young that will not be fully evident until later in life. We don’t know how extensive damage from mask mandates will be to our young.
Still, schools must consider other factors beyond our children’s welfare, for example the health and welfare of teachers. As an ex-teacher, I know all about illness and I believe I caught every germ in the classroom during my teaching years! However, our schools are primarily for educating children and not for providing perfect working conditions for educators.
Another consideration is in a democracy the majority rules. About 77 percent of Middlesex citizens voted not to move our Confederate monument. The wishes of the majority in a free society must be respected, even in a society such as ours that protects minority rights.
This principle also applies to mask mandates. In our recent statewide election, enough voters felt so strongly that children should be freed from forced masks that Republicans took all three top seats in state government. The governor made a promise he would make mask wearing optional. The majority of voters agreed and unless we want to change our political system to allow schools to cancel election results, then the wishes of the majority must be honored.
Yes, “The customer comes first.” That means our students come first, not administrators, educators and school boards. Our school board might even now be preparing to offer a mask-free school day for those who need it.
Blessed are the peacemakers in Middlesex County for they shall lead the way with tolerance and compromise in solving our divisive issues. Yes, this nation values both freedom of choice and the rule of the majority… but always mindful of the needs and wishes of others.
© 2022.
