By: Online Editor Hayden Vick
Alright kids: Who’s it going to be?
A few days ago, I was babysitting when the kids struck up a conversation about the 2016 race for the White House. After experiencing a mixture of laughter, confusion, and surprise at some of their comments, I decided to take note of some of their more profound quotes. Thus, the list began, extending to comments by some of the students from the third grade class in which I volunteer. I’ve saved my commentary on their presidential declarations for the end.
“I wish Obama could have another term.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s like, awesome.”
“I’ve noticed that she (Hillary) has been getting a lot – A LOT – of votes, which will help her become President.”
“If I could I might vote for Hillary, since she wouldn’t really change anything.”
“Donald Trump would change everything.”
“Everyone says they like him because he speaks his mind, but some of the thoughts in his mind are just wrong.”
“John Kasich is the only good Republican candidate.”
“Ted Cruz’s daughter won’t even kiss him because she hates him.”
Probably the most substantial claim of all:
“Donald Trump has a big rump and he took a dump in a pump.”
And my personal favorite:
“Bernie needs a better hairline.”
What if eight, nine, or ten year-olds could vote? According to the list, which I attempted to keep fairly bipartisan but to no avail, Donald Trump ranks right between a freshly planted plot of soil and a dung beetle, while Hillary probably takes the cake for Little Miss Popular.
“Kids say the darnedest things,” is a line used perhaps in old movies or maybe by older adults who still employ that “old southern” way of speaking (which I love). The saying may be somewhat unused or even obsolete today, but it holds true nonetheless. All of the above quotes, with the exception of the one about Trump’s rump, were said with complete and utter sincerity; the kids were serious about their opinions, just as college students are during our own political conversations and debates. Odd, isn’t it? An overlap between the actions of third graders and “fourteenth” graders.
The world is a much brighter place when children’s comments and opinions are listened to and considered wholeheartedly by adults who kneel down to their levels to really, truly hear what they have to say. Too often I think we pretend as though we’re listening to the little ones while we’re really thinking about the items on our own agendas. Keep in mind that the little guys’ and gals’ thoughts deserve just as much consideration and respect as our own.