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Since the buzz over this film has subsided and all the reviews were posted weeks ago, I want to highlight another point this film unconsciously makes. The emphasis on great superheroes needs to increase, and this can certainly begin with Hollywood in both fact based as well as fictional stories. There is a parallel between the problem with faulty teachers and an issue with morally corrupt films. Sure, the good old antihero can be intriguing from time to time, but not when it’s traded for the traditional hero on a consistent basis. While it can stand in films, the public school system is no place for moral ambiguity.
A good question could be what happened to Superman? Recent adaptations of his story have failed, however, Christopher Nolan’s reboot of the Batman franchise is a wild success. Why is this? It’s because Batman still stands against evil. The character is a metaphor for what we wish law enforcement could be like, a watchful eye that has a zero tolerance policy for villains as well as government bureaucracy. This same tough standard should be applied to public school systems where America’s future is being shaped.
The most important aspect of Waiting for Superman is how it explores the educators who are actually trying to make a difference. By creating a leftist utopia where everyone is equal, teachers unions cannot even reward the best teachers. In movies the greatest heroes are obvious; they stand out in front of the pack. Would we even notice our favorite superheroes if they weren’t given praise for saving the day?
This is what our best teachers deal with in the current environment. The useless can continue their path of destruction while the valiant are neglected the recognition they deserve. When the good meshes with the bad we are left waiting, as director Davis Guggenheim shows us, for a bright future that will never come unless we do something about it. Superman knew the difference between right and wrong, but we cannot wait for someone else to fix our problems, we have to do it.
So why do we look up to real life heroes? They get results, don’t waste time carrying dead weight, and make sure they leave the world a better place. We need to start implementing the same standards for our fictional heroes to real life ones. It all comes down to right and wrong (good versus evil). Harmful teachers need to go just as Batman ousted the Joker or the Ghostbusters took down the ‘Stay Puft’ Marshmallow man. They got the job done. It’s that simple. We need to let the great teachers work and send the bad ones packing.
Everyshould take the time to see Waiting for Superman; it’s one of the most honest and important films to come along in years. The issues over corrupt teacher unions is not about Right versus Left, it’s about right versus wrong. My press screening on Tuesday night was in an extremely left-wing area, the house was packed (the public was invited) and upon the final credits the crowd erupted in applause. The issues surrounding our children’s education must transcend politics. We can’t sit around waiting for Superman.
