More Cowbell

Last night, while I was BBQ'ing in my backyard, someone walking down the alley shouted, "Let's hear some DRUUUUUUUUUUMS!"

Facetious or not, I'll take it!

To Sir, With Dove

Today, I felt really touched when, for the first time in almost 20 years of teaching, I received a present on the first day of school.

Just not sure how I should feel about the fact that it was a bag with two bars of Dove soap and a stick of deodorant in it...

Now I can't stop singing, "Don't stand so, don't stand so, don't stand so close to me..." :D

"When You're Used to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression"

10 Things Every White Teacher Should Know When Talking About Race

Excellent points to consider...
 

Dental Dharma

Yesterday, lying in the dentist’s chair, while the hygienist busily scraped, scratched, and prodded around in my mouth with his pointy metal tools, I realized something:

It was a great time to try meditation.

How else does one calmly and confidently allow a stranger with sharp, spiky objects to poke about in one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies? 

If there’s another way BESIDES deep breathing to help quell the suspicion that, with one minor slip, it could get all stabby and bloody up in my gums, I’m all ears.

Otherwise, it’s inhale, exhale for me.  Like yoga at your dentist.

Without all the farting. :)

Aspiring to the "Love Ethic"

Could I be this magnanimous if my daughter were killed by a Nazi? I don't know...

"Despite her pain, [Heather's mother] said she doesn’t want people to hate [the Nazi]. It isn’t what her daughter would have wanted, she said.

“Our daughter did not live a life of hate, and hating this young man is not going to solve anything. . . . It’s not that I think he should go unpunished for his crime. But hate only engenders more hate, and there’s no purpose in hate,” Bro said. “Heather’s life was about — passionately about — fairness and equality and caring, and that’s what we want people to take away from this.”

This heart-rending story reminds me that the 'love ethic,' espoused by moral greats throughout history, is not simply inspirational, but still largely aspirational, since we don't instinctively function in the way it prescribes.

Are There Nazis?

Yes, Virginia, there are Nazis.  They exist as certainly as hate and animosity and devolution exist, and you know that they abound and take from this world its highest beauty and joy.  Alas!  How wonderful would be the world if there were no Nazis.  It would be as wonderful as if there were never an Adolph Hitler.  There would be faith in mankind then, poetry, and romance to make celebratory this existence.  We should have enjoyment, except in bigotry and prejudice.  The eternal light with which love fills the world would not be extinguished.

Jury Duty

"Tell them, 'No matter what you say, the police are always wrong!' Just repeat that, and you're good to go!" - overheard conversation between two (potential) jurors.

I understand not wanting to serve. It's inconvenient and time-consuming. A beautiful day blossoms outside, as I sit inside, bored on my phone...

But if we use strategies like the one espoused above to get out of jury duty, should we really be surprised when cops who shoot unarmed citizens are constantly being acquitted?