This week, I began reading Barack Obama's autobiography "Dreams from my Father" and I have been blown away by the sheer beauty of his writing. He stands for so many things that I want for our country and our citizens--and not just the right-wing Conservative Christians. So many people are being denied their civil rights and an incident at my kids' school brought that battle home.
We chose to put our kids in a Religious private school, and while I understand that they are going to teach the principles of that religion--which, not long ago, were our beliefs--it is one thing to state them. It is quite another to bully and shame people into joining those beliefs or being scared into silence.
My daughter is in a current events class, and with the election so close, conversation in the classroom turned towards the candidates. One boy, who is outspoken but polite (and I'm quite fond of his family) stated his position on abortion. The teacher literally *screamed* at him, and then led the majority of the class to join in. My daughter was horrified but too scared to defend him.
Needless to say, I was livid. There is no excuse for what she did, nor how she handled it. My daughter felt so bad that she didn't stand up for what she believes in--free speech--even though she personally disagreed with his stance. I gave her the option of my getting involved, she declined. But I was still shaking in anger that evening. The next day, she said how things were quiet, and the boy seemed to be fine. And though she hates feeling like a loner, I know her dislike for this teacher and having to keep silent on her beliefs were eating at her.
She came home yesterday, excited. They are preparing for a political debate next week and she is proud to be standing up for Obama and researching all she can to hold her own. Oh yes, this mama bear is ready to pounce if that teacher so much as looks at my daughter cross-eyed.
Last night I was looking up some sites for her, and for myself. When I got to Obama's website,
http://www.barackobama.com/, I was so moved that I donated what little I had in my personal account to his campaign. I cannot explain in words how good it made me feel, that I believed in someone and his ideals so much--and it's one thing to tell my children how I feel, but to act on that filled me with pride. I haven't felt that good in awhile. My daughter thought it was great (but bummed that she, being under 16, couldn't legally contribute).
I'd like to think that my acting on my beliefs led to her actions today. She had forgotten to grab an article for current events, so she picked up a section with the intention of finding an article in time for class. And oh, did she speak out in a big way.
The article dealt with Hallmark Cards' decision to carry greeting cards for gay marriages, and American Greetings' decision not to. My daughter told me how she bravely stood amongst her classmates that were clearly against it, and had to listen to her teacher preach about how unethical Hallmark was.
I could not have been prouder.
One of my best friends is bisexual (they call her "auntie") and another good friend is gay. While my son is a bit too young to understand this, my daughter and I have had many conversations concerning them and the issues surrounding GLBT rights (or rather, the rights being denied them). She knows how I didn't used to understand it and I've admitted how ignorant I was. She hasn't quite understood it, but again, her sense of fairness for all won out.
This is her last year at this school. She's looking forward to going to a public, more progressive high school. We're also planning on putting her brother in public school. Where we will attend religious services is a whole 'nother post ;)
I can't just have beliefs and not put them into action. I'm humbled by my daughter's bravery. Lately, with my illness and depression, I've been concerned at what kind of mother I've been. This made me see that while my body may not function the way I want it to, I'm using my head and heart to lead my children.
We chose to put our kids in a Religious private school, and while I understand that they are going to teach the principles of that religion--which, not long ago, were our beliefs--it is one thing to state them. It is quite another to bully and shame people into joining those beliefs or being scared into silence.
My daughter is in a current events class, and with the election so close, conversation in the classroom turned towards the candidates. One boy, who is outspoken but polite (and I'm quite fond of his family) stated his position on abortion. The teacher literally *screamed* at him, and then led the majority of the class to join in. My daughter was horrified but too scared to defend him.
Needless to say, I was livid. There is no excuse for what she did, nor how she handled it. My daughter felt so bad that she didn't stand up for what she believes in--free speech--even though she personally disagreed with his stance. I gave her the option of my getting involved, she declined. But I was still shaking in anger that evening. The next day, she said how things were quiet, and the boy seemed to be fine. And though she hates feeling like a loner, I know her dislike for this teacher and having to keep silent on her beliefs were eating at her.
She came home yesterday, excited. They are preparing for a political debate next week and she is proud to be standing up for Obama and researching all she can to hold her own. Oh yes, this mama bear is ready to pounce if that teacher so much as looks at my daughter cross-eyed.
Last night I was looking up some sites for her, and for myself. When I got to Obama's website, http://www.barackobama.com/, I was so moved that I donated what little I had in my personal account to his campaign. I cannot explain in words how good it made me feel, that I believed in someone and his ideals so much--and it's one thing to tell my children how I feel, but to act on that filled me with pride. I haven't felt that good in awhile. My daughter thought it was great (but bummed that she, being under 16, couldn't legally contribute).
I'd like to think that my acting on my beliefs led to her actions today. She had forgotten to grab an article for current events, so she picked up a section with the intention of finding an article in time for class. And oh, did she speak out in a big way.
The article dealt with Hallmark Cards' decision to carry greeting cards for gay marriages, and American Greetings' decision not to. My daughter told me how she bravely stood amongst her classmates that were clearly against it, and had to listen to her teacher preach about how unethical Hallmark was.
I could not have been prouder.
One of my best friends is bisexual (they call her "auntie") and another good friend is gay. While my son is a bit too young to understand this, my daughter and I have had many conversations concerning them and the issues surrounding GLBT rights (or rather, the rights being denied them). She knows how I didn't used to understand it and I've admitted how ignorant I was. She hasn't quite understood it, but again, her sense of fairness for all won out.
This is her last year at this school. She's looking forward to going to a public, more progressive high school. We're also planning on putting her brother in public school. Where we will attend religious services is a whole 'nother post ;)
I can't just have beliefs and not put them into action. I'm humbled by my daughter's bravery. Lately, with my illness and depression, I've been concerned at what kind of mother I've been. This made me see that while my body may not function the way I want it to, I'm using my head and heart to lead my children.