"Ignorance is the night of the mind. A night without moon or stars." --Confucius
What Confucius says was first introduced to me in The Wiz. These wise words were pulled out of Scarecrow's head, and I was a believer immediately. How many times have we referred to a lack of knowledge or information as being "in the dark"? While ignorance is sometimes bliss (there are things I would prefer not to know, especially when it concerns people), I am certain that ignorance is costly. It is true what the United Negro College Fund motto says, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." An ignorant mind is a wasted mind. Without knowledge to light our path, the "moon or stars," we stumble, fall, and sometimes perish. I do not believe for a moment that curing ignorance is easy. One cannot just pour knowledge into a dark mind. The unenlightened mind does need to be open. It must have the ability to see the light. Light makes us curious: it inspires. The moon and the stars cause us to dream, use or imagination, consider making the impossible possible. I am reminded of all the slave narratives I read. Having been denied the ability to read and write, knowing that education would change their plight (and free them mentally and then physically), they sought knowledge even though it might cost them their lives. While we have all been ignorant, and if we live long enough, will be again, there is no need to remain permanently in the dark.
06 February 2008
Excellence
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." --Aristotle
Aristotle's statement is one I wholeheartedly agree with. Habits are powerful things, good or bad. It is time more of us started to make the good habits work for us. It is discouraging to hear many of my male students say, "I'm just not good at school." Those same young men (and young women) are often great athletes, musicians, or artists, spending countless hours practicing, doing, the thing they love. If only they would transfer that energy to the classwork I assign! Success will not occur overnight, but neither are habits created overnight. They creep up on us. According to most theorists, it takes thirty days to make a habit. Today's students can measure time nano seconds. Thirty days is forever. Unfortunately, this is a lesson most students will learn when they are much older. I, however, keep trying to spread the message.
Aristotle's statement is one I wholeheartedly agree with. Habits are powerful things, good or bad. It is time more of us started to make the good habits work for us. It is discouraging to hear many of my male students say, "I'm just not good at school." Those same young men (and young women) are often great athletes, musicians, or artists, spending countless hours practicing, doing, the thing they love. If only they would transfer that energy to the classwork I assign! Success will not occur overnight, but neither are habits created overnight. They creep up on us. According to most theorists, it takes thirty days to make a habit. Today's students can measure time nano seconds. Thirty days is forever. Unfortunately, this is a lesson most students will learn when they are much older. I, however, keep trying to spread the message.
02 January 2007
What is a hero?
Tough question. It requires an even tougher answer. Heroes "save the day." This may sound like a cliche, but it is true. Saving the day may come in various guises from the literal interpretation that makes us stand in awe to the inspiration and motivation that makes us rise to our individual or collective occasions, making us a better person--even if only for a few moments. Heroes are strong. Heroes are humble. Heroes are at times unexpected. One thing they all have in common is that they "step up to the plate" when no one else will. They represent the best of and in us.
Many heroes are unsung. This is true for at least one of my heroes, John Tansely, my maternal grandfather. He stepped up to the plate simply by persevering. Few people can understand what it was like for Black men of my grandfather's generation to exist during Jim Crow America. He played baseball in the Negro leagues, yet his athleticism was largely unrecognized. He loved tennis. While I was never any good at it, I wanted to play because he did. He was a DJ, a singer, and as my grandmother always said, "a great dancer." That might be why she married him. They used to jitterbug all night long. More importantly, my grandfather was also a veteran of World War II. He came back from the Philippines and worked at a dry cleaners. ABC Dry cleaners. He worked in the back where the big machines (the dryers?) and fumes from the cleaning fluid added more heat to the already scorching southern day. We would often go see him at work, shirtless in the intense heat, body glistening with sweat. I remember those days fondly because his face would always light up when the owners would tell us we were at the shop. Now that I am older, I can also put into context the challenges he overcame. He was never "Mr. Tansley," but "Johnny."Because of him, I received a commission in the United States Army Reserve. Instead of wearing my civilian clothes home, I wore my uniform. My husband knew we had to stop by my grandparents' house first. It was important that he see me with my gold bars. He was the reason I positioned the face of my watch under my wrist.
Many heroes are unsung. This is true for at least one of my heroes, John Tansely, my maternal grandfather. He stepped up to the plate simply by persevering. Few people can understand what it was like for Black men of my grandfather's generation to exist during Jim Crow America. He played baseball in the Negro leagues, yet his athleticism was largely unrecognized. He loved tennis. While I was never any good at it, I wanted to play because he did. He was a DJ, a singer, and as my grandmother always said, "a great dancer." That might be why she married him. They used to jitterbug all night long. More importantly, my grandfather was also a veteran of World War II. He came back from the Philippines and worked at a dry cleaners. ABC Dry cleaners. He worked in the back where the big machines (the dryers?) and fumes from the cleaning fluid added more heat to the already scorching southern day. We would often go see him at work, shirtless in the intense heat, body glistening with sweat. I remember those days fondly because his face would always light up when the owners would tell us we were at the shop. Now that I am older, I can also put into context the challenges he overcame. He was never "Mr. Tansley," but "Johnny."Because of him, I received a commission in the United States Army Reserve. Instead of wearing my civilian clothes home, I wore my uniform. My husband knew we had to stop by my grandparents' house first. It was important that he see me with my gold bars. He was the reason I positioned the face of my watch under my wrist.
14 November 2006
Classroom Blogs
Today students created their own blog spots for Of Mice and Men. I'm very excited; students were excited. I enjoy introducing technology in the classroom: whether it's pushing powerpoint to its limits or instant messaging after school, I'm there.
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