here and now

Student, who happens to be white: Ms. ____, where do you get those Starbucks energy drinks?

Me: Oh, I stop at the gas station on my way to school — the Double Quick.

Student (in a shocked, ingenuous whisper): Ms. ____, that’s where the black people go.

(Silence)

Student: I don’t mean no harm in it. That’s just the way it is. White people go to Exxon.

On a rainy Sunday like today, I can’t help but curl up on the couch and write in my blog. Or at least think about it.

I need to get reacquainted with this thing. As the months have marched on – as the weather has changed from Mosquito to Frost to Flood, and my teaching has gone from ohmygodwhatamidoingtomorrow to okmaybeiamnotterribleatthis, and my stress level has gradually declined (on average) throughout this frenzied first year of teaching – my need for blog-catharsis has become less urgent and less frequent. Although the current state of affairs is much better than last semester’s, the written record of my teaching has become regrettably sparse as the teaching itself has improved. Hrmmph. Seems I’m leaving a negatively skewed impression of my teaching years. Posterity and future biographers of Ms. ____, I am sorry.

Dedicated readers (er, mostly just family and friends from home) have filed a number of complaints for my lack of posts, to which I have responded dissatisfactorily. I apologize for this oversight as well.

That said, I’m going to add to the disappointment now by not writing just yet.

Yes, yes, I know you’re annoyed. I know you’re incredulous. And for the third time in one post, I am sorry. I just have papers to grade and significant planning to do for the coming week. If you’re reading this, though, I want you to know that the new goal is to write at least one meaningful post per week.

The first entry I have in mind is about a student named Deiun. Hold me to it.

P.S. Happy Easter!

“Do Now”: Please tear yourself away from your computer, make your way to the nearest bookstore, and pick up the current issue of Oxford American (http://www.oxfordamericanmag.com/index.cfm). It’s a magazine that features writing from and about the South.

You will physically need to get your butt to Borders because, tragically, the article I want you to read does not appear on the publication’s website — but I promise you the effort will be worth it. Once you’ve gotten your hands on a copy, you’ll need to flip to the article called “A Perfect Test,” by Michael Copperman. Don’t let go of it until you’ve finished reading it.

I would explain further, but the piece will speak for itself. Just go to the bookstore.

Fortunately: 

We’ve been on a quest for background knowledge these past few days so that we can start reading Animal Farm next week. Because I studied Russian and Soviet politics and economics rather seriously in college, this has been an exciting time for me. I LOVE HISTORY! YAY! 

Unfortunately:

As much as I try to galvanize my students, not all of them seem to be quite as fascinated by Soviet history as I am. Today’s documentary, however, with its descriptions of Stalin’s various affronts to humanity, does seem to be helping. (See below.)

Fortunately:

As a “special treat,” we’re watching a documentary on Stalin today. W00t. (I am writing in “real time” right now, sitting at my desk in my classroom.)

Unfortunately:

The documentary, produced in 1996, features a young Condi Rice as a preeminent scholar of Soviet history and politics…and most of my students seem to have no idea who she is. Womp, wooommmp.

Fortunately:

They know who she is now!