The girl said, “I’ve never been anywhere except Colorado, California, and Arizona.” She through up her hands in exasperation. I didn’t know what to say, thinking that her seeing three states was more than so many less privileged people had ever done. I thought about the homeless veterans I saw on the corner outside of Walmart and the families who I knew only by name or initial on the side of a christmas donation box. I thought about what I have and what I have done in my life and what is to come and I felt sad.
I am reminded of my privilege more and more as I am reminded of how little the people I teach realize their own. I am schooling a generation of people who have little sense of their own position but every sense of what they perceive to be their worth and their station and, above all else, what they deserve.
There is more to come on this topic. I just need to sort of the thoughts for myself.
Some Thoughts:
- I keep getting the same subjects over and again. It changes year to year but these subjects pop up in every class, though the students are different ages and academic levels. I give students the option to choose their own topics, so it isn’t as if I am determining these choices myself.
- Rest In Peace, Eddie Zuleger. My former colleague was murdered last night in his home by his own son. The story continues to develop, but I don’t want to remember him by his death. I want to remember him as a wonderful teacher and a father who looked out for his family above all else–even up to the last breath.
- Gonna play some flag football this Sunday. Hope I don’t die from being so damn out of shape.