Level 5- Silent Right

Miranda, Shut Up! Black Ocean (I.notes)

You have the Right to Remain Silent. Anything you say can and probably will be used against you. You have the right to have counsel present before and during questioning. If you do not have counsel (a person representing logic and fairness on your behalf) because of economic uncertainty, one will be provided. . Miranda warning reworded by I.

You don’t need to have been read the Miranda warning to be familiar with it. “You have the right to remain silent,” has been used in movies and TV (post 1966 after Miranda v. Arizona) for decades.

So, I’ve been thinking about that. You public school students. Held in detention. By law. What are you? What word is there for your circumstance besides ‘school’? Incarcerated? Custody? Held in captivity? What is the difference?

The Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution states:

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Mirranda, was essentially supporting the fifth amendment, re-interpreted. Students are not criminal. Yet, some students often feel like they are treated as such. Interrogated.

When students get asked things like- “Why were you late for class?” “Why didn’t you do your homework?” “Where were you?” There is an expected response, because you are in school with people in powerful positions. Authority figures want answers. You are subject.

Questions like “why didn’t you do your homework?” seem simple, when in actuality are simply very complicated.

First, why is there still homework? Kids need a life outside the box. Second, does the questioner care? I once asked a student. “where is your essay on the French Revolution?” It forever changed my teaching perspective. After hearing about her stuff got lost between motel moves, and how casually she described her pretty messed up circumstance. I realized, not only was the homework assignment bogus, I was hearing a story nearly identical to subjects in the French Revolution. She was living it. She didn’t need to write about it, (nor get asked a stupid question by me) what she really needed was a safe place to sleep. Third, and lastly it Is a stupid question. It lacks reason. Does it matter? Would any answer satisfy? Either way, why waste time bartering for bonus points? Is that our job? and where does the pressure come from? and does this simple question not coerce kids into lying just to get out of the conversation? Is that what we do- create little liars? corrupt the youth with pressures and senseless questions?

In I.School you can think about this. Realistically? You are probably going to want to answer. If needed, go ahead and give an answer. Keep it short. Move on.

Shut Up!

Don’t laugh, if you think of this when asked about homework. You may get in trouble, but Shut up. Silence. For your own good. Shut up:

: to cause (a person) to stop talking

: to cease writing or speaking

Another interpretation, an I.interpretatin, if you will, is that shut up means to shut your bad ole self up in a safe place. Shut up also means to shut out the incessant noise. The “dictatorship of noise” as Cardinal Robert Sarah puts it. We are taught in fairy tales that the fair maidens get locked up in a tower, Usually by a wicked jealous queen, and that is a bad thing. But towers, walls, bricks, were mainly used for protection. In Repunzel, for example, Sur La Lune explains, “the witch locks Rapunzel up in the tower in an attempt to stifle her increasing maturity and protect her from sexual predators.” Think of being shut up as a gift. Your own personal hyper-chamber, or whatever other metaphor you prefer. Man-cave. Bubble. A pace to shut up and shut out. Internally. Intentionally. Continuously. A personal time-out just for you, when you need it, when you want it. With some fun reconditioning and daily activities, a safe place is there. Just for you.

So if someone says shut up!, say “YES, Please, and Thank You!” (in your head, ya know, cuz of the whole silent thing). It is your right.

Black Ocean

To Shut up is used negatively. As in Black Ocean. A "black ocean" is a term used to describe when K-pop fans turn off their light sticks to show their disapproval of a band. It is a form of silent protest. Silence is scary. Just as parents or teachers. Peace and quiet time is heavily sought after with parents and teachers as examples. However, ask these same folks what happens when kids go suddenly silent. “Utter terror”, says parent B, when asked. Why kids become suspect when silent, according to one psychology bot quiet, or even silent children may indicate- Self-Awareness: They may recognize that their behavior is inappropriate or that they are about to break a rule. Quietness can be a way for them to avoid detection. Focus on the Task: When engaged in mischievous activities, children may become intensely focused on what they are doing, leading them to be quieter as they concentrate on their "project."Exploration of Boundaries: They might be testing limits and exploring what they can get away with, and being quiet is part of this exploration.

Silence! Psychological benefits of silence can include enhanced creativity, focus, self control, self awareness, perspective and spirituality. Silence can be used both positively and negatively in communication, and thus can influence our relationships.

Imagine using silence for I.School. A group of students sitting in a circle. No phones. No devices. Hushed conversations about what is important to the group. Like- enhanced creativity, focus, self control, self awareness, perspective and spirituality. No authority allowed. In fact, kids go silent if approached. A blocked off set of time each day to help each other. When asked, “what are you doing?” Remember-

You are already shut up. Silenced. Stifled from asking questions on your behalf like, “why do we have to do this?” I’ll predict, even by asking that simple yet complex question, you become suspect. A trouble maker provoking a well organized machine. So, simply stop. Stop asking. Stop complaining. Figure out what wholesome path you would like to follow. Stick to it. Silently. Rightfully. As is your right.