I am a graduate of a Northwest Suburban High School, Class of 07.  I graduated my junior year, and am a young resident of Lisle, IL. I believe my ideas, and intentions are those that represent my graduating class,  present day parents, school students, and hopeful future parents of our next generation.  Public schools are not what they used to be: it is now a place where students socialize, bully, taunt and represent themselves by power and social rank- no longer a place suitable for learning.  I am appalled, and frightened that our leaders have let our school system, and idea of education become what it has today. I am sickened that none of our representatives will stand up and physically make the change we need.  I have a proposal to start with variable number one: This variable is something students bring with them everyday to school.  It is something capable of spreading a silent, yet loud message.  If we can revise this, like a butterfly effect, I believe it will eliminate many negative effects associated with it.  My proposal to positively enforce change in our school system is to enforce a proper dress code, by requiring each equal student, to wear equally the same attire, eliminates the threat of bullying, social apartheid, and reassures our children that school is indeed a safe, comfortable place for education.
    Social apartheid is the term best used to define what has become of our school system. A public school once was a leading practice in promoting multiculturalism. It is regrettably today, the opposite.  Thus, it has been, and will continue to be fatal to our youth.   I agree that socialization is a vital developmental factor is the growth of an adolescent. However, it becomes a problem when the tools of popularity become the key to general acceptance in today's society. It saddens me.  Rather than students preparing for their studies, they are preparing themselves for the acceptance of others.  In our public schools, our youth is faced with the harsh reality that in order to "fit in",-to essentially feel comfortable, you must be "popular".  Merriam Webster dictionary defines "popular" as "suitable to the majority" and "frequently encountered or widely accepted.".  Hence, for a student to reach the academic asset of school, he or she must achieve popularity first.  A students desire to be accepted by peers, sadly is a human necessity, which has distracted our students from their studies.  Possession of material objects is more valuable then possession of books. Students overlook the men and women in their history lessons. Instead, students are living in the shadows of glamorized reality TV stars, and celebrities. My parent's always taught me to be thankful for what I had.  Instead of most youth thankful that they have the clothing, it is frowned upon if it is not the clothing suitable to their peers.  Let's bring back equality. Lets demonstrate inner beauty once again.  We must eliminate the instrument contributing in bullying, demoralization, and segregation.  From my experience in school, we believed being able to dress how we wanted was self expression.  Unfortunately, this privilege has become destructive and abused.   Let's teach our children more constructive ways to express their selves: sports, music, art, dance; The possibilities are endless.
    Families are faced with the pressures of fulfilling their students urgency to "popularize" themselves with the trends and fashions of society.  Let's face it: being "popular" requires extra money.  A parents role to provide for their family in this economy is enough of a struggle.  When a parent is unable to meet the class standards of what is "popular", that is when reality sets in.
    "School isn't what it used to be. It is a system of competitiveness- to have the best of everything.", Naperville, IL resident explains on his six year old daughters first day of school.  I believe this issue has started at an older age, and worked its way down to elementary school, becoming more and more destructive. 
    Apart from a parents pressure to provide their children with the items to "fit in", a child that is dealt with this intense burden rapidly, can be frightening, and to some, fatal.  Myself, having attended a public school, was faced every day with the threat of becoming socially isolated, and unaccepted. This wide spread intimidation  and concern, dominated my motivation to learn, was the root of three anxiety disorders I was treated for, and almost prevented me from graduating.  I became terrified of putting myself in situations where I would be judged. This became so intense, I finally refused to go to school.  My grades dropped, and everyday was a struggle.  As I mentioned above, I graduated high school a year early.  I did not do it to get ahead; I did it to break free.  The corruption of today's schools can overwhelm a life. We need to eliminate any factors leading towards this ailment. "It's not that much out of the ordinary, and the disturbing part is the school is more concerned about sweeping it under the rug than getting to the bottom of what's going on." Dan Hughes comments on the suicide of seventeen year old Erik Mohat. Parents of Mohat sued Mentor high school for the lack of concern to protect their son from bullying by his peers. "When you lose a child like this it destroys you in ways you can't even describe," Eric Mohat's father told ABC News. How much longer will be subject our children to this, before effective change is made?
    Unfortunately, I think it is safe to say that in today's society and culture, "all Men" are NOT created equal.  How someone is treated depends much on their social class. Having gone through school ourselves, we have all been judged by our peers. We have been looked down upon at one point, from the shoes on our feet, to the logo on our shirts.  Is this really a suitable environment to learn in? Self expression does not lie in what we can afford. Power cannot come from a label any longer. We must show our youth that confidence comes from the inside, and will not be judged by what others see on our outsides.  This has gone on long enough and someone needs to take the first step to putting an end to this.  I am afraid for our youth.  I am 20 years old, and I should not feel afraid for my future children.  As long as the system stays the same, the term "graduate", should instead be "survived".  
    If you are one of the many distraught with this virus that has spread to youth, please raise your voice.  The suicide of a child has unfortunately made its way into my life, and I have had enough. If you have any insight on the matter, I would appreciate your reply.  Please, if you are sickened by what is going on, spread the world. I intend to contact our representatives and leaders about this matter with a portfolio of your thoughts.  Please send any stories that have touched your life,  and any suggestions you have on changing this system.
Thank you for your time.
Standforthesilent@yahoo.com