In the past I have overtly tried not to put political statements on my blog although there were many times that I wanted to, there were many reasons I have resisted. First, I had been taught if I have nothing nice to say than don't say anything at all. More importantly as a teacher I have learned from the teachers that taught me. I have had wonderful teachers in the past that showed me the value of focusing my efforts on the development of individuals and their ability to think and be creative so that they can make personal, thoughtful and ethical decisions. I feel ethically obliged to not persuade young minds politically or socially. I teach science and strive to be objective in my teaching. Because I am a public employee and role model I am very careful about the public persona that I present. And despite the fact that this blog is a private space it is open to public view. I will exercise my right to speak freely, I will always strive to be respectful!
Recently, I had a very eye opening experience that disturbs me about a portion of society. I gave up television because of it's commercialism years ago and I have been reading and listening to my news ever since. My position in the upcoming election was pretty strong and I have been surfing the web and blogopshere for contrary views. Doing this helps make me more informed and well rounded in my views and decisions. I posted a comment to a blog, (which I will not name, but you can get to it by following blog links on this page) happily the person who runs this blog published my comment with a response. I feel that healthy dialogue and debate can enrich all involved. Well the person refused to publish my rebuttal to their comments and instead posts a comments attacking me and worse accusing me of unethical indoctrination of the students I teach. This is based only on what they have learned from reading my blogs, which are overtly not political. They know nothing about my classroom or teaching methods. Realizing that this person is not interested in debate and is instead interested in deception, misdirection, fear and using personal attack and smear tactics, I decide to back out gracefully from the "debate" and ask them to remove the unfounded comment about my teaching practices. Instead I am attacked again. I suppose that I really cannot blame them when this is the example set by too many so called leaders in this country and especially demonstrated by the leaders they support.
The results of this weeks election have uplifted meAnother teacher I work with commented to me that Barack Obama represents a curiousity, strength, and willingness to make a best effort to improve this country. This curiosity was one thing that seperated Obama from McCain. Thinking about this comment I realize that America was founded on curiousity and a grand experiment. Over the past 200 years we have become complacent. Barack Obama shows that this experiment is still alive and going great! America did not like the course it was on and elected for Change! I truly hope that this new direction and curiousity overflows into the public reigniting the spirit that started this country! We need challenge whether we are Green, Democrat, Republican or Independant. Are we willing to rise to the challenge and work together to solve the problems that face this country? Are we curious about the ideas, beliefs, and strategies that everyone can offer in order to find the best solutions? I am reminded of the cartoon by Benjamin Franklin stating Join or Die.
Fifth graders got it now can all of America get it, I am Curious...I will end stating that I have not be able to get John Lennons "Imagine" out of my head!
