Love or hate?

Gosh, I wish he'd left it alone.  You know, the kneeling thing.  It re-split any semblance of blend and sent the elements running to their corners like a science experiment.  It has been implied by some that I should not even speak on the subject because of my pigmentation.  I also realize that if I plead for common sense to prevail, others will interpret that as me shutting down their cause with "hate".

I simply try to never hate any other person.  My foundation on interacting with people is based on "love one another".  There may be other humans that I dislike, but the reason for the dislike is something they have said or done to me personally.  It has absolutely nothing to do with their pigmentation.  I recognize that there is a wide division in opportunities in today's society.  I personally come in contact with little ones each day that are hungry, not clean, and suffer many other challenges - through no fault of their own.  What can be done to re-direct that path they're on?  I give them chances - teaching them music skills, giving them "parts" in programs, encouraging them about schoolwork, behavior, interpersonal relationships.  I also tell them that I love them.  Every chance I get.  I don't know how much difference those things make, but I know that I am using my position in life to try and make a difference.

I started to write about the "kneel-ers", who have chosen a quiet way to protest the inequalities that end in violence.  Their quiet way reverberated like a sonic boom.  It took on the look of deriding our country and our freedoms, due to the method they used.  Their meaning has been lost to some, which makes them (figuratively) scream louder and louder.  I started to write about "why don't they volunteer in our community or schools and try to make a difference?".  First though, I googled the number one kneel-er.  You know his name.  He has some free time on his hands right now.  I found that he has pledged to donate one million dollars to organizations that help the downtrodden, the underprivileged; I also found out that he has already made good on $800,000 of that promise.  I hadn't heard about any of that in the media.  I only heard this progression: guy kneels protesting a problem - other side says he hates our country - news media highlights all who kneel and all who dismiss them as unpatriotic - leader gets involved - volume of arguments and yes, hate crescendos at an alarming level.  I think that since the main one knelt, he has put his money where his knees are and is trying to improve things.  But everyone else?  I don't know.  I don't have time to google everyone.

There are opportunities out there.  There is a division in our society that might - nobody knows for sure - but just might be changed or re-directed by volunteer work. It doesn't have to cost you a million dollars. Volunteer at a school as a mentor. Get involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.  Work with Habitat for Humanity.  Walk away from figurative yelling on social media and do something literal.  Do something that helps, stop trying to place blame, don't ascribe hate to anybody based on how they look, get out there and underscore your opinion with action.  Wouldn't it be great if we could divert the arguing and make a difference?

The Forbidden Act of Class Punishment or Put Your Money Where Your Butt Is

I have always taught music, and in elementary school, that means that I don't have a "class" of my own.  I see other teacher's homerooms all day long.  It's a privilege, because I get to call every student in the school my 'kid'.  I've said many times that it's very special to me to be able to teach kindergarten through fifth grade.  By the time they leave elementary, IF I have taught them every year, I've been their music teacher for over half their life.  I know them, they know me; what a wonderful job I have.

At my very first job, the principal was demanding.  Our names were circled in red ink if we didn't sign in on time on the morning clipboard.  Our lesson plans were scrutinized, commented on, and required to be sitting on the corner of our desk at all times.  There was a meeting a couple years into my time at that school at which he stated "Please avoid class punishment.  Do not punish the entire class by silent time, taking recess, etc.  There are students in that group that were not at fault and that is not fair.  Deal with the individuals."  My brain said "Wow!"  because I had pulled the 'sit in silence' bit as a disciplinary measure before for an entire class.  I also liked what he said because I am a rule-follower.  I do not want to get in trouble or have a policy changed because a few bad apples can't toe the line.  They should get in trouble, not me.

I was reminded of this event in my teaching career when I kept seeing all the "protest" that involves our flag and our national anthem.  Throughout history, protest has been a means of change, whether valid or not.  I'm not even speaking to whether any of these current events are anything I am in agreement with or not.  That's not my point here.  I think these protesters are punishing the class.  It's unfair.  Not every American is at fault for the things you are protesting.  Find an organization that sets up dialogue with the two sides, write your congressman, volunteer for programs that work to heal the problem you're yelling at with your actions.  Then you'll be fair AND you'll be doing some good.  Put your money where your butt/knee is.