The Four Freedoms, as outlined by Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1941 State of the Union address, outlined four essential human rights: Freedom of Speech. Freedom from Want. Freedom of Worship. Freedom from Fear. The prompt chosen for this year’ s Create 4 Freedom ® Contest was a quote by W. E. B. Du Bois: Education must not simply teach work— it must teach life.
Anastasia Stanmeyer, our Editor-in-Chief, advocated that we open the contest this year to students under age 18. I ' m glad we did.
This year’ s winning entry,“ Teach Me,” is by Ani Hocker, who, fittingly, is an 8th grade student at W. E. B. Du Bois Middle School in Great Barrington. Congratulations— and thank you— Ani!
Teach Me
-Joshua
Joshua Sherman, M. D. C. E. O & Publisher, Old Mill Road Media
Teach me to speak up for others in need, To be kind and to learn how to lead. Not just to pass or get a good grade, But to look around and see the difference I’ ve made.
Teach me to find meaning in work every day, Be creative and brave and find a new way. I might be uncomfortable and I might be scared, When I look back I’ ll know how much my teachers cared.
Teach me that though people don’ t always agree, We have to get along so we can all be free. I know there will be drama and heartbreak, Show me that there are also friendships to make.
Teach me about“ life not work” is something Du Bois said, Because even though life is hard it’ s not something to dread. Let school be a place where I can go, Where my mind is set free and my heart starts to grow.
Ani Hocker