Think 2

I think it’s really good and important that early on they talk about the difference between “listening” and “hearing”. I can listen to someone all day with half a brain but that doesn’t mean I retain the information. Hearing is something that people have to work and practice. Anyone can just listen. I don’t want to step on any feet by saying I understanding this frustration because I really don’t know what it is like but I can imagine how frustrating it must be. I bet its like standing in a room screaming and people might look at you but no one stops to ask why you are screaming. I think I understand it in a different way, on a different topic. It’s awful. 

“If you try to suggest that’s not quite the way it is, they get defensive, then you get defensive, then they’ll start reciting research.” I’ve actually run into this problem with my parents. Obviously, I’m not black but I like to think I’m an ally and an advocate for all people, or at least I try to be as much as possible. Sometime’s when I get into a conversation about social justice issues with my dad he starts getting really angry and he shuts down quickly. When he shuts down he forgoes the opportunity to learn something new and hear out the other side of things. If people just listened, going back to the before the thing, and swallowed their pride for a little bit and just let the conversation happen without getting defensive and angry then so much more would happen. I would say the only people who have a right to be angry are those minorities getting persecuted. 

“I want the same thing for everyone’s children as I want for mine.” This is kind of like the golden rule but further reaching. Most sane parents want what is best for their children. I’m not a mom but I can assume this. Shouldn't all children get the opportunity to learn and live and flourish? Children come into this world with zero biases. Biases only happen when they are taught them or experience them. Why can’t we teach all of our children to just love and accept people? I know this sounds very naive and impossible but that’s why it’s a wish. 

“I didn’t feel she was teaching us anything. She wanted us to correct each other’s papers and we were to learn from her. She didn’t teach us anything, absolutely nothing.” I found this quote so incredibly interesting. I always hated when I had to correct someone else’s paper, and some else correct my paper but I think for different reasons. I found the whole process humiliating because I probably got more wrong than them and now they know how stupid I am. Very different reason, I think then why this student hated it. 

There is a paragraph at the top of page 33 that talks about students classified as slow learners. There is a cartoon out there of a group of animals, all different kinds and they're standing in front of a man and the man says something like “Climb this tree and you’ll pass this test.” Well, that’s great for the monkey and the bird but what about the fish and the elephant? Everyone learns differently, especially when they are passionate about different things.  I excel in history classes because I love them but I have to work extra hard in math classes. I use to get so mad in high school because while I was on the art track I still had to take all the maths and sciences and the people who were more math and science oriented weren't required to take multiple art classes. That doesn't seem fair to me. Everyone should have a shot to do something they are good at and not be judged if they don’t do it exactly like the next person.