Connection: Loss of Creativity and Art

It is no secret that as the economy worsens people become more worried about work, schools have to come back, and nobody wants to take a risk.  Unfortunately, many people have decided that the safe way to go is to lose their creativity.  In class we discussed how more and more people have become buisness majors and how creativity is not valued the way it should be by those deciding what they wish to do with the rest of their lives.  Because people are so worried about finding a job, they do not go into college to major in communications or creative writing, even though they might like to.  Many students and their families have decided that the only way to secure a job when they leave college is to major in buisness or become a doctor.  The humanities have suffered, not because nobody is interested, but because nobody sees a use for it. 
Many school districts have had to cut back because of the current economic state our country is in.  Schools can not afford to pay teachers, get new classroom materials, or provide for students who need finacial aid.  Here in Glenview, especially at Glenbrook South, we do not see as many cutbacks.  We still have up to 7 shows a year, three publications, a television and radio studio, a speech team, art classes and clubs, and photography.  That isn't even listing everything.  But other schools have made cuts, and when cuts are made, the arts are the first things to go.  It makes sense if you think about it.  Math is important for everyone to have a basic knowledge of, and English isn't unneccessary.  But aren't the arts too?  Even in our community, at Springman and Attea, the theatre, music, and art departments are suffering.  The annual show was canceled a few years ago and Mrs. Bergman, the drama teacher, travels between schools.  And that is the school that is doing well.  That is the school that is lucky.  Arts programs are being cut all over the nation when there is a shortage of money.  Do the athletic teams go?  What about junior buisness classes?  Those are two areas that are not being cut. 
So why is creativity the first thing to go?  The value of being able to express yourself and create has dropped.  Almost every company or corporation needs the creative mind to excel.  So why is creativity becoming under appreciated.  I am a Springman alum.  When I heard that the January musical was cut for budget reasons I was devestated.  There were already so many students there with a love for singing, dancing, acting, and set design.  They were being taught at a very early age that creativity, well, it just isn't that important.
Maybe once everybody has a degree in buisness people will wonder where the artists and writers went.  Now that they have money and time for leisure, nobody was able to take a chance on creating books, music, movies, and art for those people.