1) We've been asked not to discuss the prison education program on social media, so going forward, I'll have to stay mum. I'll just leave this quote from a student in the program, "This is the free-est I have felt in 24 years." I haven't stopped thinking about this.
2) Drove past Nu at the school bus stop and was gobsmacked to hear them yell out: "Bye, Mama! Love you!" even though other kids were around. I mean... At never grew out of saying stuff like that out loud in public, but I thought Nu had! I'm so, so glad they've boomeranged on this!
3) At the Refugee Development Center Fundraiser this morning, I heard the Southside Community Kitchen Pastor say, "We have to help people. And we have to help even the people we don't like." I should always remember this.
4) I heard back on my manuscript submission from the editor (lots of good feedback). And then the publisher wrote back supportively, "This is a very, very important book!" I hope it all works out? Fingers crossed.
5) Listening to friends bickering over undecided voters: "Voting third party is a sign of privilege." "Actually, motherfucker, voting for genocide because it doesn't directly affect you is a sign of privilege." I don't know where to start with this.
Pic: Another beautiful sky on the way to work. The trees on the side look like hills... it reminded me of the psalm that goes, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help." I could use help.
10 comments:
My kids were always demonstrative, too. Still are, and with each other as well. I think it's a terrific sign of self-actualization and confidence. It's so heartwarming and affirming.
What a testimonial from your student in the prison program! And what an example of the power of knowledge and education, not to mention rehabilitation vs. pure punishment.
Excellent feedback on your MS. Exactly what you hope to hear, right?
Re: the third party vote. I think it's important to look at Practicality and The Greater Good. In whose hands do you want to place the eventual fate of those who need our help? It really is that simple.
Good for you.
#1 is quite the testimonial. #2 Kid differ of course, but often they are too old for something until they aren't again. #3 is hard, but true. #4 Hooray! and good luck. #5 I know it's hard to vote for lesser of two evils over and over. And I just read in the paper how Harris wants to make getting asylum in the U.S. even harder, which is so discouraging. But for me, this is the thing and maybe the only thing. We will still be a democracy under Harris and after Harris and we can use the tools of democracy to try to effect change. But there's a chance (not a certainty but enough of a chance to be terrifying) that we won't be if Trump wins.
Oooh that is SUCH exciting news about the book!!!! Fingers crossed indeed.
Excellent news on your book! Wow on #5. I don't know where to start with that either. Voting 3rd party is a horrible idea, especially this year. I do wish it weren't so, and our system hadn't devolved into this binary, because it sucks.
I am in awe of your kids, Nance... confidence is exactly the quality that comes to my mind too when I see people like that.
I must clarify that the incarcerated student was speaking about being in the program--not about my teaching...
Ball is back in my court with the MS :).
Thanks!
#1 Was for the program as a whole, not me--but yes, it moved me.
Steph... I have to say your argument on #5 is the strongest I've ever heard! I've heard variations on this theme, of course--but framing the argument for the sake of democracy alongside the acknowledgment of how rightward the Dems are moving feels honest, informed, and realistic.
Thank you, Nicole!
Thank you, J.
And I agree with everything you've said... but here we are, and the elections are in approx. a month and it both seems too soon and too far away!
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