Allison’s Anecdotes

After the discussion in class today on Thanksgiving/Columbus and the myths associated with both, in conjunction with the eloquent words shared by Marian Wright Edelman, I am left wondering about whose voices and perspectives we have not only believed, but also taught, as well.  In our understanding of history, how many voices and perspectives have been forgotten?  In our everyday lives, how often do we attend to those who remain silent?  In our nation, why are the voices with the power and prestige heard over those who need service and help the most?  To which voices have we listened?  Whose voices have we ignored?

It’s time for a change.

It’s messy, complex, and hard… but it’s time for a change – now.

If what we are facing in demanding equal, quality education and with campaigning for children’s rights is truly the next Civil Rights movement, then it’s time for us to organize and act.  I don’t know who the forerunners are who will be committed to spreading the cause of the forgotten few to the streets of the Capital and to Main Street alike, but action is needed today.  If we ignore these voices, we will silence an entire generation.  And that is not acceptable.

So, where do we start?  How do we begin?

I read a book over the summer about architecture and buildings.  I found it interesting how the foundation of a structure is poured and established within a relatively quick period of time, whereas the actual construction of the building can take a substantial period of time… and then essentially, it can appear that the new structure was finished over night!  

What does this have to do with class?  Building on foundations.

As I read the Palmer article, it made me reflect on my own personal journey over these last 6 months. (Has it only been 6 months??)  In using his stages of a movement, I see that the first stage of personal growth was largely what I experienced during Maymester.  No other point challenged me to the degree that I was challenged by those 3 weeks.  During the summer, I entered the beauty of the second stage — experiencing community with like-minded people who were equally and mutually encouraging and committed to becoming educators, passionate to effect change.  

The summer established a foundation — we were personally and corporately challenged.  We learned more about ourselves as individuals and developed respect and appreciation for each other, establishing the sense of community.

And now, we build…  Stage 3 — the period where we choose to engage in the social and political arena, expanding the discussion to include other voices outside of our community, and being willing to be challenged by ideas different than our own.  This is the time of building upon the foundation that has been forged, and to begin the real work of constructing the vision of change.

This stage is going to demand more from ourselves than we have given up to this point… but if we are faithful and focused, we can gain much from each other.  Not only are we building something new, but maybe in this period we can also seek to build up, encourage, and support each other, as well… It may take time, but the rewards will be well worth the effort — the work is not only for us, but for the hope of generations to come.

I needed to sit and listen to the musical selection today.  ”One voice.”  There’s power in that statement.

 After we all generated our list of problems — and the lists are not complete by any means — it’s easy to become overwhelmed or apathetic or disinterested considering all of the problems that do exist in a given arena.  But then I hear “one voice.”

What if one voice really did have power to effect change?

What if one voice was capable of surmounting obstacles, rejecting the status quo, and refusing to be silent?

All of us have one voice — an individual moment, chance, opportunity to make a difference.  Perhaps by remembering and reawakening our voices, we will gain vision and clarity — the ability to solve not all of the problems, but maybe the ones to which we feel personally called, personally inspired.  

The body is made up of many parts and each part has a specific role that only that part can fill.  If we can recognize our parts, our voices, maybe then the students we teach can follow our example and recognize theirs… and then maybe, our unique voices can come together.