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Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Fear and outrage; us and them

I had a conversation with a friend who shrugged like she didn't care when I said that if the district split, there wouldn't be the educational resources for children in the district that there are now.  She didn't care and I was effectively stunned into silence.

I strive to be informed about the presidential election, but it leaves me feeling depleted and often revolted.

Adam and I were talking about the fear and outrage that is dished out in the media from both the left and the right.  It is discouraging and bears very little resemblance to the country we thought we grew up in.

There's a lot of us versus them and very little we the people.  Most people I know are like me and don't want to align with us or them, but here we are.

So after school yesterday, my team and I cut out pumpkins and hung up Halloween decorations in the hall (I have two former college basketball players for teammates which comes in handy, I must say.)

We talked about ways to make the holiday fun.

We planned lessons and graded the math test we'd given.  

We sent texts and emails to parents.

In short, we did what we could.  We'll keep doing what we can.  It's all any of us can do.

That, and be kind.

I am constantly telling my students, "Just because someone does something wrong, doesn't mean you should do something wrong."

I hope I have the fortitude for the next month.



2 comments:

Olivia Cobian said...

Your post reminds me of what my friend Vernie put on Facebook. I shared it because it (like your blogpost) is how I feel. I will do what I can in my little sphere:

"I know emotions run high on presidential election years and people can let themselves get worked up into a frenzy of fear, doomsday predictions, and hopelessness all based on who they hope or fear will win. I'm going to make my own prediction: the United States of America is filled with a lot of amazing, caring, intelligent, hard-working people, and no matter who gets into the White House, the amazing citizens I know, from many different political viewpoints, will still be doing great things both within and without the walls of their OWN houses. They aren't going to allow fear or dogma to steal their joy or stop their acts of service.
Keep being awesome, America, and go vote!"

We are going to make it!

Mark Dahl said...

Great post, Thelma

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