HomeTeacher by day, Mommy by night
Teacher by day, Mommy by night
Juggling the demands (and insanity) of being a high school teacher, a wife, and a mother to a toddler
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So exciting
I find most political conversations to be pointless. Most people just want to hear their own opinions and be told how smart they are. I know this is true for myself.
There are, of course, exceptions, but I haven't found too many. I had a friend at my old school who grew up in Michigan, and while we had similar views, she always brought a new perspective to my awareness because she grew up in a different state with different issues than California. I'd love to have more people to talk to who truly gave me a fresh perspective on things, but also valued my opinion. While I haven't found adults like that so far at my work (which is really the only place I am besides my home), I have found an unexpected treasure of insight from my students. I had the most intellectually stimulating conversation today with a student of mine. She just came in to talk about the election. She wasn't entirely sure about how it worked, so she had some questions about the primary process. She listened very carefully to my answers, but the next part was the best. She had truly insightful views about what our country would possibly be like with a female president or a black president. (She's black herself, as a sidenote.) She actually knows quite a bit about Bill Clinton. (She was born in '92, so that's impressive.) She was able to express respect for Hillary, and eloquently state her reasons for liking Obama. She had areas of lacking knowledge: she told me that she would never want a Republican president again because they're all crazy white guys who want to go to war. I told her that she might find a different case if she were to look at more GOP candidates more closely, and she conceded that I might be right. (That's a big deal when you're 16.) I am so excited about this election, and this ten minute conversation today confirmed my excitement. I love when the democratic process brings people together for conversation. Cause really, democracy is all about everyday people having everyday conversations about how to change our world. 3 comments from 3 users
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posted by
girl4agreenerworld
on Feb 5, 2008 at 11:43 PM
I think it is so exciting to see how the younger generation is so interested in this election. (Let's face it, it is interesting for all of us. History is being made!) I can't remember what the percentage of voters under 30 was this Tuesday, but it definitely grew since the last election. My son is 14 and it is so fun to have conversation with him about the candidates and the issues. I hope the number of people who vote continues to rise because it is our right and it is what makes us a democracy.
posted by
creatress
on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Great blog. It is indeed an exciting time. I told my son this morning. "I think this year will be the second time something major in history has happened since you've been alive!" (9-11 being the other one). Then we had a great discussion about politics. You reminded me that I had a student in one of my art classes the other day (who is a rather difficult boy) tell me "You're GAY!" And I said, "No I'm not, I'm married to a man." to which he replied "Well, you can be married to a woman and be gay!" And I said "No, in California you cannot marry someone who is the same sex as you." Then he looked confused and dropped it. Ahhh, the things that pop up at school, eh? I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when that kid went home. Hahahah.
posted by
hmoeckli
on Feb 6, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I was disappointed yesterday by the election results in California. More people in the 18-25 age group did vote than who normally turn out, but it still wasn't a big enough number. I don't understand this. The whole point of being in college at that age is to get into activism and be more involved with the community. I was so excited to be able to vote when I turned 18. I also hope this trend towards greater involvement continues.
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