American Idol Teaches Us a Lesson

To the editor,

While watching American Idol this week, I just felt the pain of these young people who were convinced without question that they were going to be the next American Idol. When listening to some of them present their “talent” and the reaction of the judges, one has to wonder where in the world such confidence comes from in the first place?

I used to teach self esteem curriculum to primary school children in the public school system of Arizona. After two years, I discontinued teaching the self esteem curriculum as I began to see it as hallow band aids for hurting children needing more than “I think I can, I think I can” to meet the demands of academic tracks laid down for future aspirations.

American Idol is a good lesson in how the art of self esteem is not the total answer.

Annette Gibson
Washington, DC