I should have been studying.
Instead, last night, I went with a friend to hear Bill Ayers.
The Legal Dude stayed home to prepare for a presentation he’s giving in Cheyenne this afternoon.
Instead, last night, I went with a friend to hear Bill Ayers.
The Legal Dude stayed home to prepare for a presentation he’s giving in Cheyenne this afternoon.
He had already attended a forum at the law school on Bill Ayers, free speech, social justice and education.
Ayers, originally slated to speak on education and, in particular, educational justice—something my language acquisition Prof. has been touching on—was introduced by, said Prof.
At first I was surprised, but then it all made sense.
Before all the hullabaloo, I’m sure all these guys wouldn’t have been there...
and I’m not sure I would have attended the first time around.
I hadn’t quite figured out how I felt about the man’s past, and to be frank, I’m not sure I’ve figured it out, even now.
Last night, however, I got to thinking about forgiveness and redemption.
Mr. Ayers said last night, ”that even us most ardent supporters of free speech, at some point in time surely feel that we would just like to be able to shut some people up!”
Take the Dick & Lynn Cheney plaza, dedicated on campus last fall.
Oops… did I just let my politics sneak into my post?!
Getting back to last night—Mr. Ayers made many salient points about educational justice and what should be the inalienable right of every child to excellent, stimulating and equitable education.
I have to admit, though, there where times when my mind wandered to questions about his past, even as the elderly gentleman sitting in front of me, sporting a veteran’s cap, and I clapped at all the same comments.
I am proud though, of one thing—of all the questions put forth (that I stayed to sit through), only one individual asked about his past.
All other questions (although when I left 8 people were waiting to speak) related to education, the current changes in “No Child Left Behind,” etc.
I feel proud to call this University, mine, as these kids seem to be able to grasp the concepts of forgiveness and redemption and to see people, who we may not always agree with or who have committed infractions we ourselves condemn, can change and work towards the good of all.
Then again, I’m not sure Mr. Ayers has actually changed, but rather, just his tactics.
Okay…leaving any potential for expression of political viewpoints and returning to the trivial, mundane and the boring.
Ayers, originally slated to speak on education and, in particular, educational justice—something my language acquisition Prof. has been touching on—was introduced by, said Prof.
At first I was surprised, but then it all made sense.
Before all the hullabaloo, I’m sure all these guys wouldn’t have been there...
and I’m not sure I would have attended the first time around.
I hadn’t quite figured out how I felt about the man’s past, and to be frank, I’m not sure I’ve figured it out, even now.
Last night, however, I got to thinking about forgiveness and redemption.
Mr. Ayers said last night, ”that even us most ardent supporters of free speech, at some point in time surely feel that we would just like to be able to shut some people up!”
Take the Dick & Lynn Cheney plaza, dedicated on campus last fall.
Oops… did I just let my politics sneak into my post?!
Getting back to last night—Mr. Ayers made many salient points about educational justice and what should be the inalienable right of every child to excellent, stimulating and equitable education.
I have to admit, though, there where times when my mind wandered to questions about his past, even as the elderly gentleman sitting in front of me, sporting a veteran’s cap, and I clapped at all the same comments.
I am proud though, of one thing—of all the questions put forth (that I stayed to sit through), only one individual asked about his past.
All other questions (although when I left 8 people were waiting to speak) related to education, the current changes in “No Child Left Behind,” etc.
I feel proud to call this University, mine, as these kids seem to be able to grasp the concepts of forgiveness and redemption and to see people, who we may not always agree with or who have committed infractions we ourselves condemn, can change and work towards the good of all.
Then again, I’m not sure Mr. Ayers has actually changed, but rather, just his tactics.
Okay…leaving any potential for expression of political viewpoints and returning to the trivial, mundane and the boring.
No comments:
Post a Comment