Last Tuesday’s election got me thinking back to 1956 when Weekly Reader introduced me to this political process. One article indicated that someone other than Eisenhower might become president. At nine years old—It was a punch in the gut!
My four most important people were Mom, Dad, God, and President Eisenhower—my brothers were next.
My little soul was truly shaken!
I reread the article. It must be a mistake!
I packed the Weekly Reader in my bookbag, thinking Mom and Dad should be alerted to this disturbing news.
We lived in North Freedom, Wisconsin, population 600. My parents and grandparents discussed village, state, and national politics. Truman was President when I was born, but Eisenhower had been President as long as I could remember. I didn’t know how the change happened.
Mom and Dad were probably amused when I asked them if the article was true, but they took my concerns seriously. My parents explained that presidential elections were part of living in the United States and had happened many times. They told me that I could vote when I was 21—it was not until 1971 that the government dropped the age to 18.
The insecurity I felt when I read that article has stuck with me. Would I have felt differently if we had a television—we didn’t, or social media and podcasts?
I marvel at the information and communication at our fingertips today. Do children feel more secure with all the knowledge available to them?
In 1956, Weekly Reader conducted a student survey. I cast my student vote. Readers chose Dwight Eisenhower over Adlai Stevenson. I was relieved when the nation agreed.
Read more about my grade school adventures on page 316 of North Freedom, A Memoir. Click the title to find the book.
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