Lab # 9

In this lab, I wrote a letter to the Winston-Salem Journal expressing my views on an article about the way evolution is taught in schools. Through this I helped social capital grow by interacting in the community and letting others know my beliefs. Below is a copy of the letter:

An Obligation to the Kids of America

by Calleja Smiley

It is of the utmost importance to educate our young people with the complete truth. Providing contrasting views, or at least giving a well-rounded portrayal of the strengths and weaknesses of one view helps us to do that.
This is why evolution needs to be presented as the theory that it is and not as scientific fact. In order to do this, the weaknesses of the theory must be presented, otherwise, students are being misguided and led to believe that it is a law or fact. Thus is it is imperative that the passage in Texas's curriculum requiring students to explore “the strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theories remain.
In fact, I would argue that not presenting the weaknesses of evolution could in some ways jeopardize students' freedom of religion, instead of the other way around. If a student of a certain religion that teaches against evolution is led to believe in school that evolution is an absolute fact, then this would infringe upon their beliefs. So, we must be careful that we not go the other way in an effort to keep religion out of public education and actually challenge some students' beliefs by not presenting all sides of evolution.
We must lead America's young people to truth by showing them the facts of science and the holes within certain theories.