The Importance of Art Response

     "Tax dollars should not be wasted on art, music or theater classes in high school. Public high schools should be about training young people to enter the workforce. Period."



     To The Cretin Who Dared to Say Such a Brave Yet Ignorant Statement,

          Are you daft? Art, music and theater are three of the most brilliant forms of expression that teenagers – scratch that, human beings – can utilize to learn about themselves, others, and life itself; this has been true since the dawn of each of these fine arts.
          First of all, the word  workforce does not inherently oppose careers in any of the fine art industries. In fact, it is an unbiased word when it comes to specifics of career choices. Actors, artists, and musicians are all a part of the workforce, so implying – excuse me, nearly out right stating – that these fine arts classes are not "training young people to enter the workforce" is absurd. Aspiring artists, musicians, and actors deserve classes in which that can refine their skill and go out into the world with a better understanding of their career choice.
          Further, the word wasted , as you so eloquently phrased it, has no place next to the words art, music, and theater; unless you're referring to the talent and passion that would be wasted if public high schools no longer received funding for their fine arts programs. Said funding, that comes from the people's tax dollars, is, in part, provided by those who are currently involved in a fine art career of some sort. Thus, it is not so absurd to use some of those tax dollars to fund the programs that many of these fine artists have benefited from at some point in their life.
          Referring back to the phrase "public high schools should be about training young people to enter the workforce",  even without funding for the fine arts programs, high school is not about training young people with the intention of entering them into the workforce. High school is about educating young people so that the population is not filled with ignorant, bumbling idiots, who think the Earth is flat.
          There is no "Period" or end to this discussion. This is an ongoing argument and struggle in society, especially with people that hold close-minded opinions as yourself.

Sincerely,

A Passionate Art Student Who Doesn't Have Time For This Nonsense