Just background about the “meme” photo ABOVE attached to this article. It was sent out by Elon Musk – FOUR YEARS AGO! He is the “me.” I am the “me.”
A Little History
I started teaching high school music July 3, 1989. 36 years ago. I had no idea that 36 years later, I would have students accusing me of sending out propaganda, information based on hate / racism, and even a “I can’t be your friend” (sent by a fellow music teacher). And all that happened on or near June 14, 2025.
Since 1989, I have loved being a music teacher in California. A majority of the time – 30 or so years – it was spent at the high school level.
Several highlights:
- 1994 Portland Rose Festival Out of State Parade Winner (28 years old; barely knew anything at that time)
- Several times marching down Disneyland’s “Main Street”
- Conducted three middle school county honor bands
- Several outstanding teacher awards
- Band performed in New York, Chicago, Bray, Ireland
- Authored a book
- Officiant at three weddings
In other words, I have had many “roses” among the thorns.
Then Something Happened
When what I like to call “The Response To Covid-19” happened, I found myself being on the “other side of history.” I knew (thanks to God) “The Response to Covid-19” was unethical; to the point April 2020, I started taking walks outside. Had people / friends warning me, “You are putting your life in jeopardy. Please stop it, Paul.” I wasn’t going to be ‘caged’ in my home. I love walking. Very important for my state of being. In fact, I like to walk my USA flag and get all sorts of responses.
I chose and still have not taken any vaccine for Covid-19 or even a flu shot. Not one time in 59 years of living (January 6, 1966) have I had a flu shot!
Therefore, I am a rebel. One administrator said, “Paul is a stallion that you cannot break.” Very nice compliment and that stubbornness has also hurt. Being a “stallion” is a paradox.
Things I had been doing prior to March 13, 2020 (the final day for in-class instruction) were now – CONTROVERSIAL.
- April 2021 – A Placer County High School administrator said to me, “Hey, Paul. I hate to tell you this but, you need to keep Jesus Christ in the parking lot.” In 32 years, no principal told me to “keep Jesus Christ in the parking lot.” Since 1989, my students (and yes, many (number increased through the years) knew I LOVE JESUS CHRIST! They learned to accept “that is just part of ‘Mr. Everts'” Now? KEEP CHRIST IN THE PARKING LOT.
- October 2021 – The same Placer County High School administrator now at the district, “Hey, Paul. You’re an old man with gray hair. Stop saying ‘I love ya’ to the students. That’s strange.” At the same meeting, “Hey, Paul. I don’t care about your First Amendment Rights. GET OFF OF SOCIAL MEDIA! It’s an embarrassment to the principal, the district, the school and you! What your posting is upsetting the students.” Again, since 1989, my students heard “I love you” A LOT! As far as social media, there was none in 1989 = HAHAHA! But, my grandfather was “Killed In Action” and our son is in the USNAVY so I could have the same rights afforded to all Americans! However, my conservative viewpoints were not the “correct” viewpoints. April 2024, the same Placer County High School Administrator told my wife, and I paraphrase, “I hate want happened to Paul. It was based on politics.”
- December 23, 2021 – Last day teaching at the Placer County PUBLIC high school. I gave the students a farewell message. In the farewell message I said (paraphrased), “I cannot / will not be forced / by the school, the district, and even now my fellow music educators to select music based on race, ethnicity and gender. Here is why? I place five band pieces in front of you. No title. No composer’s name. And then I ask you to look at each piece and give me the gender and race of the composer. YOU CAN’T DO IT. Therefore, who the composer is doesn’t matter until – the teacher makes it matter. In fact, most SANE composers do not want me to select the music as some sort of quota.”
Results of “Something Happened”
Taking a stand for the “Truth” will cause you to lose friends, family members, and business and it will, eventually, lead to new friends and business.
You will need to accept that your reputation is going to be slandered / soiled. Examples: You are a “right wing nut.” Oh, you are filled with White Supremacy and Toxic Masculinity. You won’t display a “pride flag” in your class room? You are a bigot. The phone calls from colleagues to help them will be fewer. People wanting to meet with you will possibly hurt their reputation. “You met with … Paul? What were you thinking?”
Response to this political cartoon. Posted Jun 14, 2025, 2:49pm…
From a band director I have known for over 20 years:
“I am so sorry for you Paul. What is going on with our current president is unconstitutional, immoral, and just plain wrong. Period. You know better. Please get your head out of the sand and look up. We all are here. We all love you too. This is NOT about defending evangelical Christianity (who some of have an imperfect view of what is going on in America). This is about taking care of ALL of America – not just a select few.”
Two messages later, she writes. We are no longer friends. I am sorry.
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My June 13, 2024 post:
Just so I and someone else understand. There was a riot in Los Angeles last week. I am watching a packed Dodgers stadium for the Giants / Dodgers game. Haven’t seen much about the LA riots since the national guard / marines / curfew have been put in places.
We have a serious war between Iran & Israel?!?!?
Where did the LA Riots go? Oh and the I hate Trump protests tomorrow as well. Sigh.
Stay safe. Pay attention.
Former students respond to the June 13, 2025, post. Students are between 1989-94. Disclaimer: I literally cut & pasted these responses. I did not fix grammar / spelling errors (and by the way, I may have had both those in this article = HAHAHA!)
Student one: They were peaceful protest. Did some idiot set some cars on fire. Yes! And I hope they fine the person or persons because crap like that helps nothing. Were people loud and fighting back against ice forcibly removing people without due process, including people who were going to court TRYING to do things legally. Yes. However, if you get off FOX and solely right leaning news sources, (my emphasis infers what I wrote earlier: you (“Mr. Everts” are a right wing nut) you will see that 95% of the protest were peaceful. The troops were not asked for and don’t need to be sent. Especially because he sent them and didn’t even bother to provide them with the basics. It should piss you off. Our military men and women are not pawns to be pushed on the board for political games. Their well being and lives matter more to me and other “libs” than that!
Student Two: you believe and share too much propaganda (my emphasis; again, inference propagandist / right wing nut). “Where did the LA riots go?” Maybe bcuz the media couldn’t keep looping the same Waymo cars on fire and the same few images over and over for that many days, making ppl think all of Los Angeles is in total chaos when in reality those images were in very tiny pockets. I live in LA area. I WORK in downtown LA. Literally just a couple blocks from everything. I am a government employee of LA county in public health. We get round the clock briefings. I also have friends in LAPD and sheriff’s dept. National guard and marines should not have been deployed. I know so many people, friends, colleagues, relatives that have participated in the rallies and protests. What your algorithm and “news” sources don’t show you are the thousands of clips and images out there of people chanting peacefully, singing, dancing, blowing bubbles, etc.Tthat doesn’t fit the narrative you buy into.
How Do I (you) Move Forward
Of course, there is more to share with you, but I hope you get the point. When you dare to think differently than others who have moved past you, be ready for the pushback. They are entitled to share their opinions, as well as, their opinions about you!
To move forward, my advice to you is simple:
- Love Jesus Christ more today than yesterday. If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ, band2gether@comcast.net I am not a Pastor. However, I LOVE JESUS CHRIST!
- Be a better spouse today than you were yesterday (Been married for 12,507 days!)
- Read and be Ephesians 6 (AND all THE BIBLE)
- Remember LOVE is a verb
- Make peace important in your life
- Forgiveness can lead to peace. Self-forgiveness is included in who to forgive
- Learn how to find “peace” and give others peace
- Allow people to have an opinion about you because an opinion is not a fact. Use this quote: “An opinion disguised as a fact is an invitation for an argument.” We don’t like negative opinions, but those negative opinions should not always lead to you making adjustments. You just can not make and expect people to like you / have a positive opinion about you. You certainly don’t like or have positive opinions about every single person.
- When dealing with others, you don’t have to like everything on the menu to like a restaurant. To get along with people, you don’t have to like everything about another person.
Your Kidding Yourself If You Think You have it All Together All the Time
Including me, many people will acknowledge, I don’t have it all together. I am still hurting. June 14, 2025 kicked my ASS. No doubt. And for some reason, June 16th? I am doing okay. I had a great father’s day yesterday. Jesus Christ is still my Savior. For 12,507 days, I am still married to an incredible wife. For me, I am re-invoking the “KISS” method: Keep It Simple Stupid.
Things are going to get worse. As they get worse, you and I need to get better. Be a better person today than you were yesterday. One day at time. And continually forgive yourself because you would want others to forgive you!
I hope this helps someone. I am here for you: band2gether@comcast.net
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Update: 8:24amPST June 17, 2025 (it continues)
From a friend who I have known since 1997. This friend is a parent of one of my former students back in 1997.
You’ve disappointed me Paul Everts. once too many times. I respect you and your beliefs. Time you start accepting others. You should be Embarrassed at the answer you gave “another friend.” your friend/acquaintance. Expect he could be mocking as well after I see his laughs.now. No idea and don’t care calling yourself a Christian. Maybe I’m not feeling well maybe I’ve been ill. Maybe not sleeping. If I misinterpret then I did. It’s happened before though and I love this country also why it’s called; respect And freedom Of speech. Enjoy while you still can
My response: