Two sentences are enough to measure the gap that separates the mayor of the borough of Anjou, Luis Miranda, from the world to which we are preparing our young people. Young people whom we hope will be motivated, invested and involved.
Teenager: “I would like to ask you a question. […] Would it be possible to open the grounds [de soccer] Saturdays until the end of the season? »
The borough mayor, reprimanding him sharply: “Me, first of all, at 15, I wouldn’t have come [sic] face the mayor like you did [sic]. »
Mayor Miranda must be told that Hocine Ouendi did exactly what he was shown at school. The society in which Hocine evolves has forged a school where teenagers are taught to give their opinion, in a form supported by arguments, they are even taught sophisms and refutation.
As a politician, I assume that Mr. Miranda, like the others, adheres to the parts of the educational programs that train young people to speak up, to write an open letter, to exercise the basic right of citizenship in a democratic state…
I am not a politician; my tongue is not made of wood, and it does not fit well in my pocket… In this, I have a great affinity with the teenagers I teach, and this is also why I want to emphasize the quality of the language of this young 15 year old, and by the very fact, the poor mastery of the one chosen by the elected representative to answer him.
Mr. Miranda, you should have twisted your tongue seven times before giving him this crazy idea that because we’re 15, we don’t deserve your vote. You should have done it seven more times before hoping to cut short his fair rhetoric, in front of his parents moreover, by releasing the worst clichés that are stupidly served to children, where it would have been necessary to use wit and distributed. And I’m not even talking about the unfair reproaches you made to his parents. No, this child is not poorly educated, on the contrary, and he is also supported. He and his family prepared to speak intelligently at this public session!
This young man did not ransack your electoral sign and his parents accompanied him in his quest… It seems to me rather that we are here faced with the case of a fairly exemplary teenager who did his homework like a mature and civilized son. Now it’s up to you to do yours, and apologize.
Your horribly worded answer makes me want to salute all the children of immigrants who, in my classes, often prove that the French language is learned, that it is experienced and that it serves to shine in society.
I tip my hat to Hocine for his impeccable and responsible speaking out, and I hope he will inspire other young people to become intelligently involved as citizens in society, rather than committing vandalism and mischief when no one don’t look. That was not a stray bullet, Mayor. It was a bouncing ball that you missed. The ball is in your court now.
I want to say this again: shame on all the abstruse politicians who point the finger at the citizen, whoever he is, by making mistakes a thousand times more serious.