Jet Lag

I have had trouble sleeping the past couple of nights since coming back from California.

So I stay up to read A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. I am often angered as I finish each chapter, first on behalf of the Native Americans, then of the women, then of the blacks. Incredibly, textbooks leave out the perspectives of these people, considered to be under-class and unimportant. What's even more outrageous is the fact that the name of religion has been invoked on many accounts for the sake of keeping these people "in their place." This baffles and angers me most. I'm not sure that I can be objective in my teaching of this material -- maybe objectivity should not be the main goal. Perhaps, history in and of itself is subjective in nature, and the truth is a walk on a thin line.


In preparing these materials, I have been trying to come to terms with the role religion has played in history, verses the role "religion" has played in my personal life. Much of the material I have read seem to depict religion as a heartless monster with a brazen attitude intent upon devouring all who are weak and helpless. Yet this is not the Christianity I know. How much could I demonstrate in the classroom that Christians throughout history have also countered injustice with kindness and goodness. To what extent would I be able to show them the multi-faceted ways in which our beliefs dictate our choices and the ways we see others?

When I first started teaching, I had a difficult time understanding why so many of my students hate "white people." Their attitudes are just as racist as a white man would have against a black, or a latino against an Asian. Yet they seem to find no problem in stating point blank: I hate white people. They may have respect for individual whites, yet they hate the entire "race" as a whole.

In reading history from the oppressed perspective, I am beginning to understand my students' perspective a bit. Whites have historically been the oppressors in the Americas, even before Columbus set sail on the Ocean Blue. Before him were the conquistadors, who slaughtered and subjugated the Natives in Central & South America, and even up to the present day, despite race relations having improved, whites still hold positions of power, influence, and wealth in this country. Even people across the world strive to emulate the West and are quick to dethrone their own cultures.

Yet even so, this is no excuse to hate.

Recently, a news article appeared on CNN.

If churches are not places where racial reconciliation takes place, then what good is a church? Jesus calls us to love our enemies. This is a high calling and a difficult one. Why not take the easier route? Stay in our comfort zones and be blind to the injustices we see?

I am excited about this year, though I always feel this way right before school begins...then once the sh-- hits the fan, I often wish I had chosen a different profession. However, I think this year will be different. I feel more centered, more at ease with myself, and more willing to ask for help. I'm looking forward to collaborating with two other new teachers in the 9th grade; the past three years have often been lonely for me, as I am left to my own devices without a clue as to whether I am doing things right or not. Yet with two other colleagues with whom to share ideas, I feel all the more equipped and ready to take on challenges.