Good morning everyone, I hope all is well with everybody. Today is March 3, 2021, Wednesday already hump day, I checked the forecast today and we might hit 50 degrees, so there is no excuse for us not to venture out of the house. We need to get oxygen in our lungs and open them up after being cooped up in the house. So let’s find something enjoyable to take us out even for a few minutes.
Last night, I was prepared to watch “ This is us” on television but it turned out not to be on so I picked up my phone and started to work on my blog when an invitation to join the Wilson Ave. Alumni page, popped up now I was not an alumni but I did teach there for over 30 years, so I think that qualifies me as an alumni.so I filled out the entrance form and was accepted. For the next two hours I enjoyed picture after picture, and names that will never be forgotten posted before my eyes. These were children I taught at the time , 12, 13 years old and I realized they are all grown up adults with probably children of their own. However, to me they are the same age I last saw them and with that I still feel an obligation to them. An obligation to still give advice if I can, care, be proud of their accomplishments, be happy for them. Just to remain a part of their life. For years sometimes I was faulted for caring too much, that I was not their parent, that’s a parents job. I never believed that, maybe in 1950 or 60 that might have been true but when I became a teacher the world was changing, Civil Rights, The liberation of women’s movement, the sexual Revolution and many other events of history. So I felt my role was to introduce these new ideas in a way that they could build their lives in this new society. So I was not their parents but I centainly had an obligation to help build the best citizen. After all they were the leaders of the future. There was not a day I didn’t enjoy doing my job. I still enjoy it through my daily posts and my blog. So you never really get rid of me, I’m like a bad penny that keeps showing up.
As a teacher something upset me yesterday. Purim is a Jewish holiday, some say it is not but regardless of that people still celebrate. To celebrate anything brings happiness and joy to people. Part of this celebration is to wear a costume, it is a reference to the Bible where Queen Ester disguises herself to save her people. Today children and some adults I guess wear costumes for parties and such. This year some children dressed in black face, it is 2021, I want to know the person who would ever think this would be acceptable. 100 years ago when people did it it was in bad taste and had no place. I remember seeing a clip of Al Jolson singing Mammy when I was a child and I thought what a stupid way to perform, what was the purpose.1 day after celebrating Black History month where we enlighten the minds of children about the contributions African Americans have made to society. To outwardly insult people like that. It only shows how far we still have to go. Again no I was not a parent but I taught this was wrong but obviously some fool parent allowed this to happen. This kind of bigotry has no place in decent society or in any part of our world today. The only way to stop this is through education. Hatred and prejudice of any kind must be eradicated in our world for us to all exist together. Teachers just add that to your list. All I have said today I feel mirrors all teachers, I don’t have the corner market on it. I’m sure most teachers feel as I do.
Now I’ve said a lot today as I usually do , so I will close today with the hope you will have a great day and enjoy yourself. Til Tomorrow!
March 3,2021
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