When a young man in Georgia named King Randall posted a short video on X, he probably didn’t expect it to stir up a national debate.
In the clip, Randall is teaching a group of boys how to do basic car maintenance; checking the oil, washer fluid, coolant, and brake fluid. Pretty useful stuff for kids who will one day be drivers, husbands, and dads.
But what really set people off was how the boys responded when he spoke. Each one answered with a firm “Yes, sir.”
Critics on social media attacked Randall, calling it “slave teaching” and even linking it to “white supremacy.”
Folk say my students are learning “white supremacy” and “slave teaching” because I taught them to say yes sir.
If you think respect makes boys slaves.. you’re the one still chained.
Manners aren’t oppression — they’re power. Respect & discipline build free men, not victims. pic.twitter.com/lcLKYoKCal
— King Randall, I. (@NewEmergingKing) September 2, 2025
To most people, that probably sounds absurd. But to some in the education establishment, words like “sir” and “ma’am” are now seen as signs of oppression.
Respect and Manners Still Matter
This whole dust-up shows the divide between two views of education.
On one side are those who believe kids should show respect, learn discipline, and develop real-world skills. On the other side are those who think those same lessons are somehow harmful or oppressive.
Conservatives argue that learning to say “yes, sir” or “yes, ma’am” isn’t about race or power – it’s about respect.
The Army and Navy Academy, which has trained generations of young leaders, says good manners are more than just polite words. They reflect character and common sense.
In Nevada, many parents still expect the same. Ask any Little League coach or ROTC instructor here, and they’ll tell you that discipline and respect are the building blocks of success.
It’s not about politics – it’s about preparing kids for life.
Real Skills Beat Theories
Randall wasn’t lecturing on abstract theories. He was teaching how to check fluids under a car hood.
In an age when many schools push endless testing or social theories, this is a much needed return to basics for these kids.
The American Enterprise Institute has pointed out that too much of education today is focused on ideology instead of practicality.
Conservatives say students need more classes that prepare them for adulthood – finance, shop, auto repair, or even basic cooking – not just lectures about social justice.
Here in Nevada, we’ve had our own debates about whether schools are teaching enough practical skills.
Employers in Reno and Las Vegas often complain that too many young workers arrive without the know-how to tackle simple tasks. That’s why technical schools and apprenticeship programs are gaining more attention.
The Left’s War on Respect
Progressive critics see things differently.
Scholars like John Diamond at Brown University argue that traditional discipline in schools can reinforce old power structures. They suggest that teaching kids to say “yes, sir” is more about control than character.
But conservatives counter that this is reading way too much into simple acts of respect.
It’s not about silencing voices. It’s about teaching kids that responsibility and manners go hand in hand.
Nevada Connection
The debate may have started in Georgia, but it resonates in Nevada. Just look at our schools in Clark and Washoe Counties.
Parents want safer classrooms, less chaos, and more structure. Gov. Joe Lombardo has pushed for higher standards and discipline in Nevada schools, while teachers’ unions often resist stricter policies.
This fight mirrors the national one: Do we raise kids with traditional values of respect, or do we tear those down because someone claims they have roots in the past?
Raising Free Men, Not Victims
At the end of the day, King Randall’s video wasn’t just about car engines; it was about character.
The path to success isn’t through endless theories about race and power, but through teaching kids to respect themselves, respect others, and learn skills that matter.
If America loses those simple values (like saying “yes, sir” or learning how to work with your hands) we risk raising a generation unprepared for real life.
Nevada families, like families everywhere, know that respect and responsibility aren’t oppressive. They’re the keys to freedom and opportunity.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
