As a last resort my daughter asked me to take her place in Margie’s reading class. I was fully briefed but was still concerned about my ability to interact with a group of first graders. The teacher and her students are in sync, they paid great attention to her instructions for the assignment.
It was the birthday of one of the class mates and she started by asking for input about what they liked about her. Friendly, helpful, kind, funny, a good listener, considerate…each student had something to add to the list. The assignment was to make a happy birthday card with wishes for the day, what they wanted to say about the birthday girl from the list, and a concluding statement. Then draw a picture for the top of the card. My job was to spell check and offer advice when they raised their hands. For an hour, I worked with the rotating groups of children. I can still spell and punctuate so that was helpful. One little girl asked for help with her picture. “I cannot draw anything”, I told her, she looked very concerned and asked “can you draw a line?”. Very thoughtful little person. I highly recommend helping out at our schools.
Children are our best hope for the future. I have great confidence if we can protect the education system that allows them to become critical thinkers. There is a difference between fact and fiction. Our job is to keep the democracy together long enough for them to take the lead.
Blackbird has always been one of my favorite songs. It is back on the charts as Beyoncé has chosen to “cover” it for her Cowboy Carter album. McCartney wrote the song about the racial tensions in the USA in the 60s, the Little Rock Nine, admitted to a high school with mobs chanting in protest. The nine endured the torment and scorn of class mates the entire year. Interesting that Beyoncé is not being readily accepted as a Country artist, wonder why? So much has changed but so much remains the same.
The lyrics tell a story that goes on today:
“Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise”
The Great Orange Wanker is preaching hate, retribution and authoritarian rule. Under a Trump administration no immigrant, person of color, LGBTQ person or woman will have an equal opportunity to “arise.” If he is the chosen one, it is not by a kind and benevolent Diety. Better said, if he is the resurrection, I am Arnold Palmer.
The first graders are good eggs as they celebrate Easter. Guard their future, by spreading the word, our freedom is at risk. Mike
Arise
