Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Troy McCullough, Tim Davis, Jennifer Holland, Kathleen Carlson and Jenny Hykes.

Parents are supposed to educate their children. The old song crooning “Teach the children well” has plenty of validity.

But every once in a while, the tables can get turned.

Consider the situation in the Des Moines school system.

More than a year ago, the Concerned Parents of Des Moines organized to oust homosexual Des Moines school board member Jonathan Wilson from his seat and to oppose proposed curricula that would “legitimize” homosexuality.

For the most part, the group has succeeded in its campaign of paranoia and prejudice.

Wilson has been removed from his seat through election. No curriculum regarding the treatment of homosexuals has been passed, and last Tuesday the organization presented a petition signed by 1,000 people that called for the removal of anti-discrimination language in the district’s hiring policies. This anti-discrimination language also prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender and religion.

But lo and behold, what’s this?

A group of Des Moines area students are counter-acting the Concerned Parents group’s petition with their own, which would preserve anti-discrimination protection in Des Moines schools.

The group, known as the Concerned Students of Des Moines, are actively opposing the parents’ agenda, and achieving a measure of success.

“What’s going on in Iowa frightens me. It’s so, without compassion,” Sarah Driks, a junior at North High School said. “The more they persecute gays and lesbians, the more guilty I feel about being silent.”

Spoken with wisdom beyond her years.

They say hate and prejudice is not something you’re born with. It’s something you learn. Guess these brave students haven’t learned that lesson yet.