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A reader tells us about the experiences of a Rhode Island boy who liked toy soldiers in 2010.
I have been reading the news story about an 8 yr old RI boy who entered a hat making competition at his school. He decorated his hat with toy plastic soldiers. He was not allowed to wear it because some of the soldiers were holding weapons. He could wear it if he replaced these solders with ones that were not depicted holding guns.
The hat fell fowl of the school's zero tolerance on guns.
The newspapers got hold of the story. Civil liberties are in hot pursuit of the school for violation of an individuals freedom of expression. The Military are angry at being insulted. Meanwhile the 8-year old is having his 15 minutes of fame. The military have awarded him a special medal and a certificate giving him brigadier status for being a patriot.
To think in the United States I'd have been jailed, faced the electric chair for allowing my students to play with gun welding plastic solders and having kids bring into school their World War II collection of weapons found on old World War II battle fields near their home. Makes you think. Collecting these items is a popular father-son hobby in Russia and Serbia where I taught.
The readers letters attached to the end of the article had me amused. One asked would Russian boys be playing with dolls. The answer is yes, but the Russian equivalent to GI Joe! My lot played football, attended ballet and dance lessons, enjoyed PE, and could speak two languages. In history the boys were most interested in World War II, but they were only 9 years old and I think lots of boys are interested in soldiers at that age. Several had collections of World War II memorabilia. In Belgrade the box of toy solders I had were enjoyed by boys from five nationalities. They built forts out of maths blocks and placed the solders on top. Then demolish the structure. It was fun but the crashing building caused a loud noise and then the compulsory lesson about respecting property.
I should think if American boys lived near World War Ii battle grounds they would be collectors of World war II stuff too. [Collecing Indian arrowheads and Civil War items certainly were in earlier years.]
At he same time there is the problem of elementary kids bringing guns into school mostly because they see them as toys and play army holding a real gun because it makes the game seem More real. There are other kids who bring in guns for a more sinister reason. Some older teenage who are disgruntled about something go to school armed to the teeth to cause mayhem.
I think the boy and his hat could have been treated differently and that these were soldiers defending their country and not individuals bringing weapons into school might have been a more positive message. Common sense approach by adults? No! Instead make the kid out to be a criminal and cause a public out cry. Toys are toys and some children like playing with them. Don't expect the school shows Tom and Jerry cartoons either?
All the fuss about plastic toy soldiers when the real issue is children who are taught to use real weapons and are soldiers fighting real wars. The boy in the news is unlikely to have held a real weapon let alone know how to assemble and load it! Knows from plastic solders guns are rubber things that have bendy parts!
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