Tired of Division & Politics in Youth Sports?

Adopt The “Community Connection Pledge”

The Community Connection Pledge” is an idea that together we must make a genuine effort to work with one another in a respectful and harmonious way towards building one another up and bridging the gaps that so often divides us and eventually causes people in the community to take sides. We must stop doing things that brings about decades of anger, hopelessness and generational and community bitterness.
This article is not meant to bash anyone or hurt anyone’s feelings but as a community leader, I have heard numerous stories regarding the mistreatment of children and the politics that school administrators, coaches and teachers play when it comes to the treatment of children.

Now on the other hand, I have also spoken to several veteran coaches, teachers and counselors who also feel like certain parents and kids are just a nightmare from “Elms Street”. They feel like parents and kids want to run things and make decisions for them. Some even want grades changed for no valid reason and preferential treatment because of their statues in the society. This is wrong! Everyone should be held to the same standard. And of course who loses? Everyone!

By chance, did you know that the average teacher, coach and or administrator prefer not to live in the community in which they work. Have you ever wondered why? We’ll, I’m sure you have the answer by now. Many don’t feel they’re wanted or loved by the community (now that’s a shame). And in addition to that they don’t want to walk down the isle of the grocery store, bank, nail salon or restaurant and run into an angry family or family relative who’s still upset about how their child or cousin was treated years ago. Now, who wants to live like this? No one!

As for children and their parents, they too must shoulder some of the blame. In my opinion, parents should teach their children to respect people of authority. And in many cases they too must be reminded that they don’t get to run other people’s business. There seems to be this ongoing power struggle between all parties and everyone who’s not involved in the issues are invited to be the jury. They too get caught up in taking sides. Now, if the two parties who have the problem become aware of others who are affiliated with the complainant or the perpetrators, they too can become victims or perpetrators to the division and politics that are being played. And again, who wins? No one, everyone loses. Let’s stop this nonsense!

The “Community Connection Pledge” is an idea that I would like to see adopted by all school districts. The main purpose would be to stop the division and politics in school classrooms, athletics and extracurricular activities. It’s time for everyone to unite, accept their roles and respect their differences. Everyone can’t be the CEO. Together we must respect rules and people of authority. Also school officials and parents shouldn’t discriminate, verbally abuse each other, disassociate nor hold grudges against each other because they don’t agree. It’s okay to agree to disagree. Let’s look at it this way, without the teacher there’s no learning, without the coach there’s no team, without the children there’s no job, without the parent there’s no booster club and without the community there’s no financial support. Let’s start by forgiving one another and asking God to change our hearts. It not too late!

Working together everyone wins!

Deon Hunter-Just Me!