tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718308414964784473.post3508375699467055090..comments2023-05-08T05:52:59.614-07:00Comments on Earth Notes: Rough Words--Kind Words--Justice WordsBob Patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08291436751199050107noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2718308414964784473.post-62038984536069529162006-12-02T11:33:00.000-08:002006-12-02T11:33:00.000-08:00Justice words...this is something I struggle with ...Justice words...this is something I struggle with regarding my teaching post last year, my struggles with the district to address safety issues at my former school, and how my former principal was able to retaliate against me for daring to go over her head. Justice. This week, for whatever reason, I have been thinking about justice--the fact that I'll be arrested should I step foot on school property. So this morning I stood at the chainlink fence, watching 2 of my former Latin students play soccer, cheering them on, and admittedly left angry that I couldn't go on the property for fear of arrest for DOING THE RIGHT THING (over the safety issue).<br /><br />In King's speech, he had problems with the complacent white moderates... but so often I feel that society has us by the short hairs. To call for justice for myself and for teachers in general I would have to get a lawyer, risk arrest, or risk backlash from going to a newspaper.<br /><br />Is it justice that we need? Or is it simply the need for more people to stand up and demand it? I don't know of anyone that disagreed with me (except perhaps my department chair who never seemed very sympathetic about the shock and trauma of breaking up that gang fight) but everyone else knew the fight could have repercussions in lost wages or being blacklisted and unable to get employment. <br /><br />If only teaching were a mere job and not a calling, if it only were about a paycheck and not an investment in people and life, then this would have been a nonissue. I don't know how anyone can teach students without becoming totally invested in them. And once invested, the loss is great. I miss those students, as poor as they were academically (most of them). I miss them, and I'll be arrested if I want to see them on school campus. What's wrong with our society? <br /><br />Maybe the issue with justice is that more people have to be willing to look up and look around and see how injustice doesn't just effect one or two, but ultimately many. And, yes, we need those strong words, not just the words of compromise and caving in. After all, if you constantly give into a child just to keep it quiet, you spoil the child, do you not?<br /><br />(sorry for the long rant on your blog...feel free to delete w/o hurting my feelings!)ginlindzeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15522793429788010486noreply@blogger.com