The world watched as Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Less than 24 hours later, the teenagers in Dalton Draeger’s American Government class at Eagle Grove High School shared their takeaways from not only Biden’s Inauguration speech, but outgoing President Donald Trumps Inauguration speech from 2017 as well. Draeger’s goal was not to find out who the kids did/or would have voted for and why, but rather to help them be informed about what he called, “The lesson behind the lesson” – being willing to listen to opposing sides with an open mind and having a civil conversation about it.
“When you talk to like-minded people, it doesn’t really get you anywhere,” he explained of why he had them watch both Presidents’ videos in preparation for a group discussion after. Draeger randomly split the eight-person class in half. Group one watched the first 15 minutes of Biden’s speech. Group 2 watched Trump’s speech. They were all asked to watch for the same information:
– Topics discussed – Tone and images used (how did they speak – strong and demanding, gentle, compassionate)? – Words or ideas that were repeated – The President’s priorities – The roll they will take in addressing stated problems. – The overall message.
As the students watched, you could hear them making comments, some in agreement, others against, what was being said as they watched their respective videos.
When viewing time was up, Draeger asked the students to share their takeaways from their respective speeches and how they felt about them. The Trump group said they felt his main message was about putting America first, an economy book, the military not be forgotten, and jobs. The Biden group felt the message could basically be summed up into one word – “unity.” However, not everyone in the class believes he can accomplish this.
“He (Biden) doesn’t have a plan at all on how he’s going to accomplish this,” said senior Shea Whaley.
“I think the unity message is something that appeals to mostly everyone, though,” Draeger added for the kids to think about.
Another comment came from within the group saying that there is a big difference between saying and doing.
As the conversation continued, it became clear the students, given the choice between the two candidates, would have unanimously voted for Trump. One student, however, did clarify he chose Trump over Biden, but if allowed to really vote said he would have gone 3rd Party.
“Some say it would have been a waste of my vote, but I see it as a way to get away from a dual party system,” explained Self-proclaimed Libertarian Thaddeus Cook.
He believes that is the only true step that will lead to bipartisanship.
Despite the entire class being Trump supporters, Draeger continued to ask them questions that prompted the “civil conversation” about opposing sides that he was after.
“As a teacher, I need to help students be able to create a well-informed argument and not just blurt out opinions…a civil conversation can’t come unless you have that,” he said.
He reminded the students that there is a difference between not liking the person themselves and disliking what they believe in or their ideas.
“Don’t tell me things can’t change,” Biden said during his Inauguration speech referring to Kamala Harris being the first ever female Vice President. Cook said that while he supports Harris being a female in office, he does not support her views – which coincides with the idea that Draeger was trying to accomplish with his high school Government students – that you can be opposed to someone’s views without actually disliking the person.
Senior Aidan Vrba added, “If you don’t debate somebody, you’ll never understand their point of view and you’ll never grow.” He even admitted to the class that he has actually changed his mind before about things he thought for sure he was right about, but after listening to the other side, realized they were right.
Student Makinzy Kennedy also caught the point of the class lesson, admitting that although she would have voted for Trump over Biden, she hopes for the best in the next four years.
“I wish (Biden) nothing but success because this is my country,” she said.
