Unacceptability

Over my many years in the education business I have heard many, many, many people use these two phrases: "It is unacceptable" or "Zero Tolerance". As far as I am concerned, these two sentences are hollow phraseology for "I have no idea what to do, but I need to sound as if I am 'in charge'."


How many politicians can you recall who have noted that something or another was "Unacceptable"?  It could be the whole House of Representatives and Senate combined.  And members of the Executive Branch are not immune to the over use of these phrases.  From our President  and cabinet members to the local Federal Prosecutor, we hear this vapid response to a myriad of problems.   Has the number of unemployed risen? Unacceptable! Not enough green spaces in your neighborhood? Unacceptable! Poor health care choices? Unacceptable! Too few hospital beds in low income neighborhoods? Unacceptable! Not enough choices at the local supermarket? Unacceptable!  So, whattaya gonna do about it buddy?


And what exactly does it mean?  It means that whoever is in front of a rolling camera can't think of anything helpful to say.


Oh, have I mentioned to you how much I wonder why the phrase "Zero Tolerance" has become such an accepted part of our vocabulary when it comes to behaviors that are not socially correct?  I can't tell you how many school administrators I knew or was in contact with would use this phrase to parents, teachers and students when explaining the school's policies surrounding behavior which was, as they deemed, well... "unacceptable".  Many schools have "Zero Tolerance" policies in place for things like: wearing hats in the building, chewing gum in school, eating or drinking in classrooms and hallways, not coming to school prepared with pen, pencil and /or notebooks, uncompleted homework, running through the halls, cursing at school staffers, etc. 


So what did this mean in true practice? It depended on the school structure.  Several schools had strong follow-up for students failure to follow "rules, routines and procedures", but others allowed these restrictions to slip as the school year progressed, and other more pressing ( in their estimation) issues came to the forefront.  For many students, school is the one safe place in their lives and the only place they can actually get a healthy meal. And what is more important, arguing with a teenager over a Yankee hat, or preventing a fist fight?


Most folks who are using these platitudes for placation have no real resolution to the issues they are labeling as not tolerated or just plain unacceptable.  Can we agree to just stop using them, and start looking at viable solutions?