Michael Moore's yellow press

Michael Moore

In 1960s, Korea, there were many struggles and demonstrations for democracy against general dictator. The revolt was mainly controlled by the university students. Some might say that this is the evidence that students can have a great role for better political environment. In addition, they might also claim that students’ great participation can change the society.

However, they should know that in the period of 1960s in Korea. University students were regarded as perfect adult, and they had authority in the aspects of academics so they were entirely different with these days’ university students.

So, their revolt should be seen as the revolt of “citizen” not the “students.” Most important thing is that today’s students cannot and should not do this works.

According to Michael Moore, however, he thinks students’ active participations are needed for better democracy and change of educational environment. Michael Moore argues that many students are suppressed by the school rule and the teacher. As a result students are not able to manifest their opinion clearly and loudly to the society.

I partly agree with the Moore’s opinion about students’ freedom. There should be enough freedom to students to talk about their school life to teachers and about school environment also. However, these kinds of freedom should be limited for students. It is really dangerous way to liberate students for the excess of political issues.

First of all, Michael Moore should recognize that young children are “students.” They are in the state of learner. In other words, they do not have enough knowledge about their right yet. So giving students a great right (publish all of their idea through the newspaper) can be ill-used by them. Many of the students concern are focused on their school life, environment and gossip things. They hardly understand what fundamental problem is. They rarely understand about whole educational system. So, although Michael Moore opened his website to take free opinions of students, there might be no useful ideas that can be used to cure fundamental problems.

Secondly, Moore’s idea can be dangerous in different way. Moore’s activity for students can be interpreted as students’ political participation. Students, however, should not be allowed to do that.

It is obvious that political issues are very controversy. So when we talk about controversial issue, we should prevent it from sensationalistic movement and populism that can disturb rational decision. However, students are vulnerable to these kinds of sensationalism and populism.

For example, there is a Teachers’ Union in Korea. ( So called “전교조” Gyutae mentioned it earlier in his essay.) When they first came out, they were union that protected teachers and students right against authority. However, now some of them deteriorated like political organization. To spread their power all over the country, they incite the students with attractive issues such as abolition of exam. Which are not able to be realized.

 Their sensationalistic way allured students to behave like anti-school. Students can be easily biased. With this sensationalistic way, most students will be allured and support them without specific reason but by their emotional motive only. So it is quite dangerous to open them a way to access for political issues.

 There is possibility that they can be exploited by other political organization. To protect them from these dangers, Moore’s program should be limited in expanding students’ rights in school environment only.

Giving students a right for political participation is too radical decision.

In Korea, also, now it is different with 1960s. Our society became more structured and well organized. In addition, our educational environment also developed. Usually, many teachers and schools protect students’ rights.

In this situation, it is quite unnecessary to make students act against to their schools. There are no reasons and necessity for Korean students to revolt.

 Here are my debate motions.

 THB Michael Moore’s activity (newspaper) should be regulated.

 THB educational methods(teachers, organizations) must be separated with  political issue.

  (Education should be free from political issue.)

 THB students political participation should be limited.