The Romans are known for many things: architecture, poetry, powerful emperors. They are also credited with the idea of “bread and circuses.” The idea, to put it simply, asserts that those in authority can divert attention from important, timely issues through the art of distraction. Under Roman rule, this meant supplying people with theater and entertainment. Now, it means creating fear and division, expertly avoiding questions and utilizing deafening scare tactics.
On a national scale, politicians demonstrate professional deflection when addressing transgender rights. Trans rights have been increasingly restricted by the current administration. A piece of legislation in Iowa was passed last February, known as Bill S.F.418. It notably removed gender identity as a discriminated-against class by employers, along with implementing other anti-LGBTQ+ laws. This is just one law of many aimed at limiting trans rights.
Trans rights are extremely important, and they must be talked about. However, in a country with over 770,000 unhoused people, nearly half of all citizens cannot afford or do not have access to prescription medicine or healthcare, almost 13 million people have seriously considered death by suicide, and the rate of unemployment is slowly increasing, there should be a focus on more urgent problems rather than creating transphobic solutions which only serve to restrict the rights of an extremely marginalized group.
Distraction isn’t just a federal government problem. It also happens on the state and local scale, albeit much less maliciously.
Recently, there has been contention between teenagers and their cell phones, specifically in school. New York State banned all cell phones from bell-to-bell during school hours. It’s a controversial decision, and while many believe phone use during school is both inappropriate and distracting, it is a bold move nonetheless.
Our school responded to the ban with Yondr pouches. These magnetic pouches lock up phones, and they can only be unlocked at specific unlocking stations around school.
Now, the administration sent an email stating that there will be random classroom checks to ensure all phones are in their pouches. Phone use is a severe problem within classrooms nationwide; in fact, 72% of high school teachers in the US believe phones are a major distraction in their classes.
Still, there are more issues within schools than just cell phones. For example, according to the CDC, over 1.6 million high school students are using e-cigarettes. Vaping has been a problem in our school for a long time. In response, bathrooms are locked during lunch periods in an attempt to minimize the chances of students vaping. Yet, despite policies in place, it remains an issue.
Vapes contain nicotine, which is a substance that can harm brain development. It is extremely addictive. They can contain chemicals that can cause cancer, along with other dangerous ingredients. While long-term effects are still being studied, vaping is undeniably not something teens should be participating in.
The current crackdown has led some students to feel unheard. “I think the administration is scared to talk to us because they want to keep their sense of power,” said Rose Wheeler, a junior at RHS. “But it’s important to collaborate.”
There are so many important issues that often go under the radar. Cell phones are a large issue, and they are being addressed as such. Other problems, like vaping, are just as important but don’t get nearly as much attention. Our school district does a better job of attempting to fix these problems than our current federal government does, but there is still work to be done.
The tradition of bread and circuses has evolved over time, but one thing has never changed: it serves only to harm a community, not nurture it. The only way to further our society is to become more unified. For now, however, the most important trait a person can have is their ability to listen to perspectives different from their own and appreciate the unique individuality of others.
