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The interview

The other day, if you’ll recall, I found out from the school’s Guidance Department that I was being considered for the Florida American Legion’s Boys State program, which is “a comprehensive one-week leadership course in state and local government, developed to offer youth a better perspective of the practical operation of government and to show that the individual is responsible for the character and success of government.” I was told that the interviews would be Wednesday — today — and that I would need to wear at least a dress shirt and dress slacks.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it, but I figured I should give it a try, even though I felt that I wouldn’t make the cut. I didn’t think it would be a problem that I’m an atheist because the Boys State home page assures that “there is no attempt to impose any beliefs on anyone…. If someone does not wish to participate in any religious or patriotic ceremony, that is his privilege, as long as he does not prevent anyone else from participating.” Another consideration was that I had to make a resume. I started working on that, but I figured it wouldn’t be that important. So this morning, wearing the proper attire (plus a tie), I submitted the application to the Guidance Department.

After one o’clock rolled around, while I was in AP European History, I received a note saying to go down to Guidance. I was pretty nervous, but I tried to calm myself. When it came time for my interview, I went in to find not one person, as I had been expecting, but three: an old man, a younger man, and a middle-aged woman — plus the woman from Guidance who had told me about my nomination two days ago. I sat at the table with the three people from the American Legion, and after I told them my name, they began with the questions.

The first question was, “Do you have any qualms about saying the Pledge of Allegiance?” I admitted that I did. I added that though I’m not religious, I simply would not say the words “under God” because I’m proud of my country; furthermore, I said that I would respect the right of others to say the full Pledge. The next question was, “Would you swear on the Bible?” I said I would not. After that, they asked if I accepted the motto “In God we trust.” I said that I did not. Then the woman said to someone else, “I think we can let this one go.” She said to me that the American Legion was a Christian organization and that they would not accept me. I politely bade them good day and went out the door. The interview was over.

Inside I was furious, but I kept my cool as I returned to class. When some people asked me how it went, I broke the news. They had rejected me after three questions, without even asking about my other qualifications (which, admittedly, were few). The general reaction of my classmates was one of support. The whole thing seemed pretty ridiculous to them too. Seeing no reason to continue wearing my tie, I took it off. After a class discussion about the affair, Mr. Miller walked to my desk and did something I will never forget. He shook my hand and said, “Let me be the first to congratulate you.”

Here’s an account of using the Socratic method to teach an ordinary third-grade class. It’s a remarkable read.

The Scanner Photography Project: “Building homemade digital cameras from low-end flatbed scanners.” Yes, really, Check out the pictures.

One year ago: “In the best schools, boys and girls, the worst fights are about milk!”