It seems like it is time to update this post. Three months and the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School keeps showing up. I think their collective and individual actions are making a difference. They are taking action and, indeed, there are people helping them and making space for there efforts.
I keep trying. I looking forward to this week's summit. I am looking forward to the conversations that I know will provide me with some renewal. I am looking forward to understand the ideas and the plans of other in the field of English Education and specifically in the YA literature community.
There is still a lot to do, but this video helped me put things into perspective a bit as we try to put the finishing touches on a lot of things.
Let's measure things with Love.
I keep trying. I looking forward to this week's summit. I am looking forward to the conversations that I know will provide me with some renewal. I am looking forward to understand the ideas and the plans of other in the field of English Education and specifically in the YA literature community.
There is still a lot to do, but this video helped me put things into perspective a bit as we try to put the finishing touches on a lot of things.
Let's measure things with Love.
“It is not enough to simply take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference. We must actually make that difference.” President Donald Trump, Feb. 15, 2018
My first response.
It is all I can do not to be flip or sarcastic about this response to the Stonemason Douglas High School Shooting. I am working on my 40th year in education. I tremble when I think about how many shootings there have been. (They say 18 so far in 2018? * Look at the bottom of the post for sources and definistions on "school shootings.) At the same time, I am grateful that I never had to personally experience a school shooting or return to a school after such an event. What I have experienced over and over again is no action. It never seems to be the right time.
I have work to do, but it is hard to concentrate. I just can’t imagine any teacher, administrator, or student who has been even remotely connected to such a tragedy facing a day of school.
Like my friend and colleague Gretchen Rumohr-Voskuil, I don’t care to debate gun control over social media. You can come and talk with me. I will try to listen, I promise. But when we talk, please don't tell that the politicians who take money from the NRA care about children. If they have not and will not take action, they just don’t. And so I feel grief.
As I try to work, I know one thing. There will be grief. I have worked with teachers, students, and educators who care. I am proud of fellow English educators who are responding. Some may disagree with their language, their frustration, or their public posting of their feelings and anxiety, but it is a clear manifestation of their visceral grief.
I want to say I am done with this issue, but I am not nor can I be. I will work hard to make a difference. I wrote my Republican Senator and told him that if he did nothing substantive I would walk to every house in my precinct over and over in opposition.
I have work to do, but it is hard to concentrate. I just can’t imagine any teacher, administrator, or student who has been even remotely connected to such a tragedy facing a day of school.
Like my friend and colleague Gretchen Rumohr-Voskuil, I don’t care to debate gun control over social media. You can come and talk with me. I will try to listen, I promise. But when we talk, please don't tell that the politicians who take money from the NRA care about children. If they have not and will not take action, they just don’t. And so I feel grief.
As I try to work, I know one thing. There will be grief. I have worked with teachers, students, and educators who care. I am proud of fellow English educators who are responding. Some may disagree with their language, their frustration, or their public posting of their feelings and anxiety, but it is a clear manifestation of their visceral grief.
I want to say I am done with this issue, but I am not nor can I be. I will work hard to make a difference. I wrote my Republican Senator and told him that if he did nothing substantive I would walk to every house in my precinct over and over in opposition.
Where I am now.
This blog has been running in full force for almost three years. I have written about Orlando, about Las Vegas, and now about Parkland. Should I set a limit? Should I only write if there are more than ten deaths? Should I never write, but just pray?
I am a believer, yet, more than once I have asked in prayer, like man with the afflicted child, “Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief” Mark 9:24. I am also convinced that Faith requires work. As James 2:17-18 states “Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast Faith, and I have works: shew me they faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:17-18).
I do not disagree, it is a time for prayer, but moreover it is time for works, for actions.
Today, I am grateful that Michelle Falter and I are working on two edited books about dealing with death, trauma, and grief. I spent most of yesterday reading and editing chapters that will help teachers learn to teach and respond to these issues more directly. I will work on this project today. The work of these scholars gives me hope. I will try hope in the midst of grief. It is what I can do today.
Sadly, no matter what actions are taken or not taken--Grief is here.
I am a believer, yet, more than once I have asked in prayer, like man with the afflicted child, “Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief” Mark 9:24. I am also convinced that Faith requires work. As James 2:17-18 states “Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast Faith, and I have works: shew me they faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:17-18).
I do not disagree, it is a time for prayer, but moreover it is time for works, for actions.
Today, I am grateful that Michelle Falter and I are working on two edited books about dealing with death, trauma, and grief. I spent most of yesterday reading and editing chapters that will help teachers learn to teach and respond to these issues more directly. I will work on this project today. The work of these scholars gives me hope. I will try hope in the midst of grief. It is what I can do today.
Sadly, no matter what actions are taken or not taken--Grief is here.
Here is an action
I revisit the advice and wisdom of Shelly Shaffer and invite you to do the same.
I want to say their names again, when I think about when I wrote about Orlando.
I want to look for the helpers when I consider the ways that Las Vegas is trying to be #lasvegasstrong.
One final thought. I think both teachers and students will find some comfort when they read books that speak truth to their experiences of grief and violence. Books that confront fear, corruption, and powerlessness. Books that will move them towards action and towards hope.
I await your suggestions.
I want to say their names again, when I think about when I wrote about Orlando.
I want to look for the helpers when I consider the ways that Las Vegas is trying to be #lasvegasstrong.
One final thought. I think both teachers and students will find some comfort when they read books that speak truth to their experiences of grief and violence. Books that confront fear, corruption, and powerlessness. Books that will move them towards action and towards hope.
I await your suggestions.
A few links and discussions of what is considered a "school shooting." None of the near "shootings" make me any more comfortable. I do a appreciate the comment that reminds me to provide sources.
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/02/16/how-many-school-shootings-have-happened-in.html
http://checkyourfact.com/2018/02/15/fact-check-18-school-shootings-2018/
https://www.popsugar.com/news/How-Many-School-Shootings-Have-Been-2018-44523849
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/14/school-shootings-in-america-2018-how-many-so-far
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5581283/school-shootings-2018-america-us-how-many-list-florida-parkland-shooting/
https://www.snopes.com/2018/02/16/how-many-school-shootings-in-2018/
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/02/16/how-many-school-shootings-have-happened-in.html
http://checkyourfact.com/2018/02/15/fact-check-18-school-shootings-2018/
https://www.popsugar.com/news/How-Many-School-Shootings-Have-Been-2018-44523849
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/14/school-shootings-in-america-2018-how-many-so-far
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5581283/school-shootings-2018-america-us-how-many-list-florida-parkland-shooting/
https://www.snopes.com/2018/02/16/how-many-school-shootings-in-2018/
RSS Feed