I have tried not to think much about the Virginia Tech tragedy. As someone who attends a University as a Masters student, someone who will be teaching in a high school come fall, someone with large amounts of friends and family doing both those things, it's hard to think about without becoming afraid as much as sad. So, it's easier to cope with the things I have to do by putting it away.
But, it's easier said than done, and what keeps coming back to my mind when I hear about this horrible tragedy, is an essay I often use for a lesson plan I teach for creative nonfiction. I use this essay because it addresses the Columbine High School shooting, it adresses violence--and all these things are pertinent not just to everyone--but especially to young people who should be able to go to school without fear, but many cannot.
The essay is from the book of essays Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver. It is called, "Life is Precious, Or Its Not." I don't know that I agree with everything Kingsolver discusses in her essay, it's still an issue I'm working out on where I stand--but regardless of that stand I think we all need to think about violence and how we approach it in our homes and as a society. And, I think this paragraph that ends her essay is something that should be taken into consideration.
"For all of us who are clamoring for meaning, aching for the loss of these precious young lives in Littleton to mean something, my strongest instinct is to use the event to nail a permanent benchmark into our hearts: Life is that precious, period. It is possible to establish zero tolerance for murder as a solution to anything. Those of us who agree to this contract can start by removing from our households and lives every television program, video game, film, book, toy and CD that presents the killing of humans (however symbolic) as an entertainment option, rather than the apalling loss it really is..... Sound extreme? Let's be honest. DEATH is extreme, and the children are paying attention."
Really, I could quote the whole essay, because it raises some tough, tough questions that I myself can't even answer. When I have children, I don't know that I'll have the mindset to rid every movie and video game and CD that depicts killing. But, I think in this Kingsolver makes an excellent point, so much out there depicts killing, murder, violence--think of how hard it would be to rid your lives of it.
We are bombarded with images--on TV, news, movies, papers, and so on and so on of death. It's not all used as "entertainment" per se. And it's not all "bad" in my mind, but when we see nothing but death, I can't help but feel we come desensitized to it.
For example, I was watching a show on the history channel about the JFK assasination and it showed a clip of the Oliver Stone film JFK, where the moment the bullet hits JFK's head is repeated over and over. My stomach turned, I looked away, but I also found myself looking back--a little squeamish, but overall intranced. Consequently, watching the Discovery Earth show, I can't bear to watch another animal kill another animal. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Again, I come to no real, concrete answers. Only the question that I think Kingsolver puts so eloquently in her essay: "Why would any student, however frustrated with mean-spirited tormentors, believe that bombs and guns were the answer?" Why does ANYONE feel that guns and bombs are the answer? What does death, violence, strife solve?
And I think, in the wake of continuing tragedy, not just here in the US, not just in our schools, but across the world, we need to start attempting to answer these questions--face these difficult questions with truth and fact and honesty, and then work toward answers.
I don't believe we can eradicate violence from this Earth. I don't think bad things will ever cease to happen, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. That doesn't mean we shouldn't attempt to change things--and I don't mean just attempting to make our schools safer--I mean trying to change this mindset that murder is an answer. We can install metal detectors, give kids ID badges, guard the school with police with guns--but I think if anything history proves it's that there's always a way to get around the precautions we throw up.
Change is not about fixing what we do--it's about fixing how we think.
Showing posts with label soapbox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soapbox. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Dinasours weren't driving SUVs.
"I mean, my Dad said there was climate change when the dinasaurs were around, and they weren't driving cars. So, I don't think it's us causing global warming."
Ack! This is what I had to hear last night at work. I tutor reading/writing and a student brought in his research paper on Global Warming. His thesis is that global warming needs to be stopped. "Oh, great topic!" I say. Then, he tells me about half way through he doesn't really believe in global warming, it just seemed like the easiest side to take. Huh? And then he tells me the above quote. WHAT?
I would love to pass this off as a one-student, one-time event. Surely, surely this isn't a prevalent feeling with young people. Sure, old, stodgy conservative Republicans, but not the youth of America.
But, a few weeks ago I was at my other job, online tutoring, when a student wanted help with a paper. A paper about how pesticides are good and without pesticides we wouldn't have all the food we wanted whenever we wanted... because having that is a NECESSITY! No! Please tell me students aren't learning this--whether from teachers or parents or even the media, tell me this isn't the prevelant thought.
I'd love to pass it off on political parties as well, but let me tell you about my sister. As liberal as they come, bordering genius, Pre-med, going to take two years off med school to do Teach for America. This girl is INVOLVED, in her college town led a group focused on banning smoking in restaurants. And, then, she tells me the other day... "I think pesticides are good." WHAT????
This is so disconcerting. These people are going to be leading the world in some 20 years. But, if they want something-- an SUV, an orange in December, they should have it--regardless of the implications on our Earth.
Despite being such a hot-button topic, climate change and global warming and especially eating locally and organically still gets pushed to the side. We can't see the "now" effects of all that is happening with our food supply and our environment... and who cares? As long as there's McDonald's, gas for my car, and highways to drive on... what's the point of all that... dirt!
Our egocentric, selfish, now, now, now-mentality astounds me continually. They say that one person can make a difference, and I want so badly to believe that, but sometimes I really do wonder if we can change our mindset.
Ack! This is what I had to hear last night at work. I tutor reading/writing and a student brought in his research paper on Global Warming. His thesis is that global warming needs to be stopped. "Oh, great topic!" I say. Then, he tells me about half way through he doesn't really believe in global warming, it just seemed like the easiest side to take. Huh? And then he tells me the above quote. WHAT?
I would love to pass this off as a one-student, one-time event. Surely, surely this isn't a prevalent feeling with young people. Sure, old, stodgy conservative Republicans, but not the youth of America.
But, a few weeks ago I was at my other job, online tutoring, when a student wanted help with a paper. A paper about how pesticides are good and without pesticides we wouldn't have all the food we wanted whenever we wanted... because having that is a NECESSITY! No! Please tell me students aren't learning this--whether from teachers or parents or even the media, tell me this isn't the prevelant thought.
I'd love to pass it off on political parties as well, but let me tell you about my sister. As liberal as they come, bordering genius, Pre-med, going to take two years off med school to do Teach for America. This girl is INVOLVED, in her college town led a group focused on banning smoking in restaurants. And, then, she tells me the other day... "I think pesticides are good." WHAT????
This is so disconcerting. These people are going to be leading the world in some 20 years. But, if they want something-- an SUV, an orange in December, they should have it--regardless of the implications on our Earth.
Despite being such a hot-button topic, climate change and global warming and especially eating locally and organically still gets pushed to the side. We can't see the "now" effects of all that is happening with our food supply and our environment... and who cares? As long as there's McDonald's, gas for my car, and highways to drive on... what's the point of all that... dirt!
Our egocentric, selfish, now, now, now-mentality astounds me continually. They say that one person can make a difference, and I want so badly to believe that, but sometimes I really do wonder if we can change our mindset.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
A Post About Food
On Losing Weight
I have been thinking a lot about food lately—in a variety of capacities. First of all, I want to lose some weight. I am not overweight, but I know if I ate a little better and exercised a few times a week, I could be at a much more satisfactory weight—not to be “skinny” but to be healthy and feel more energetic.
I happened across this amazing website that helps you track your meals, gives you ideas for what to eat and how to exercise. For someone like me, this site has been a revelation. (And it’s free!)
Get a Free Online Diet
First, it allows you to really easily track your food intake and the calories/fat/nutrients you’re getting in the process. I used to think I ate pretty well since I don’t like a lot of fatty things, I had no idea the amount of empty calories I was taking in on a day. And how much I lack in eating good things like fruits and vegetables. And how little water I drank in a day, and how much fat and nasty stuff comes from just one meal eating out.
Which is where all this weight loss talk ties into this blog—it’s all about the fruits and veggies—fresh ones, preferably. I haven’t really been eating much fruit or many vegetables because nothing is really local right now. Now that I know I want to buy local, I am hoping this will help me plan for the next winter season—so I have local on hand to eat.
It’s also about planning so it isn’t easier to say, hey, let’s get Taco Bell. It’s going to take a lot of planning and work and dedication to wean myself off the desire to eat a meal out so often—not in an effort to lose weight or save money, but really in an effort to be good to my body.
With all of these outbreaks of salmonella and e.coli it’s a wonder more people aren’t realizing the problem is in our food system as much as it’s a companies mistake. Society puts such importance on quality goods—clothes, technology, houses, perfect lawns—why aren’t we putting any importance on the quality of food—one of those basic needs?
I suppose because it’s easier to just buy a frozen pizza or get a hamburger at McDonald’s. It’s easier not to think about food and what it is—and if we’ve grown up knowing no different, why should we be expected to change?
I’m not one for super activism. I believe what I believe and don’t try to push my beliefs on others. I often keep my convictions to myself because it’s not my job to change someone’s mind. But, I’m beginning to feel a little bit differently on activism and this issue. I think this is one issue (quality of food) that most people don’t think about because they’re ignorant—they grew up as I did with trips to the grocery store, meals out every week, and no emphasis or thought put on to what we’re putting in our bodies. If we don’t know or see that something’s wrong why should we change it?
So, from here on out I’m going to start telling people why I’m doing what I’m doing and why. Why local and organic are better choices. They don’t have to agree, or listen, they can even laugh—but if knowledge is power, then I feel it should be part of my responsibility to spread my knowledge—I am going to be a teacher after all ;)
I have been thinking a lot about food lately—in a variety of capacities. First of all, I want to lose some weight. I am not overweight, but I know if I ate a little better and exercised a few times a week, I could be at a much more satisfactory weight—not to be “skinny” but to be healthy and feel more energetic.
I happened across this amazing website that helps you track your meals, gives you ideas for what to eat and how to exercise. For someone like me, this site has been a revelation. (And it’s free!)
Get a Free Online Diet
First, it allows you to really easily track your food intake and the calories/fat/nutrients you’re getting in the process. I used to think I ate pretty well since I don’t like a lot of fatty things, I had no idea the amount of empty calories I was taking in on a day. And how much I lack in eating good things like fruits and vegetables. And how little water I drank in a day, and how much fat and nasty stuff comes from just one meal eating out.
Which is where all this weight loss talk ties into this blog—it’s all about the fruits and veggies—fresh ones, preferably. I haven’t really been eating much fruit or many vegetables because nothing is really local right now. Now that I know I want to buy local, I am hoping this will help me plan for the next winter season—so I have local on hand to eat.
It’s also about planning so it isn’t easier to say, hey, let’s get Taco Bell. It’s going to take a lot of planning and work and dedication to wean myself off the desire to eat a meal out so often—not in an effort to lose weight or save money, but really in an effort to be good to my body.
With all of these outbreaks of salmonella and e.coli it’s a wonder more people aren’t realizing the problem is in our food system as much as it’s a companies mistake. Society puts such importance on quality goods—clothes, technology, houses, perfect lawns—why aren’t we putting any importance on the quality of food—one of those basic needs?
I suppose because it’s easier to just buy a frozen pizza or get a hamburger at McDonald’s. It’s easier not to think about food and what it is—and if we’ve grown up knowing no different, why should we be expected to change?
I’m not one for super activism. I believe what I believe and don’t try to push my beliefs on others. I often keep my convictions to myself because it’s not my job to change someone’s mind. But, I’m beginning to feel a little bit differently on activism and this issue. I think this is one issue (quality of food) that most people don’t think about because they’re ignorant—they grew up as I did with trips to the grocery store, meals out every week, and no emphasis or thought put on to what we’re putting in our bodies. If we don’t know or see that something’s wrong why should we change it?
So, from here on out I’m going to start telling people why I’m doing what I’m doing and why. Why local and organic are better choices. They don’t have to agree, or listen, they can even laugh—but if knowledge is power, then I feel it should be part of my responsibility to spread my knowledge—I am going to be a teacher after all ;)
Friday, February 9, 2007
Question for the Eco-Blogosphere
As a person new to the whole eating local/organic/green lifestyle, I thought I would propose a question to the blogosphere out there.
Eating locally has become quite en vogue lately, and for good reason. Besides the fact that the transportation of most of the food in the grocery store impacts the Earth negatively, eating locally is oftentimes tastier and even more nutritious.
The organic movement has also gained speed. It’s good for the environment as well, but it’s also focused on not putting all these man-made chemicals in our bodies and in the Earth.
Okay, so say you are lucky enough to have the option of both—which is better to choose in terms of the environment. A non-organic but local farmer, or an organic but not local product? Which one has the least amount of impact?
I’ve thought a lot about this, but I really don’t know enough about either to determine which is more… Earth and body-minded. On the one hand, a local farmer means very little transportation costs. However, the practices used to produce this food might not be all that great for the environment, for the product, or even for the farmer. Would organic, grown or made with the Earth and our health in mind, be better despite the amount and cost of travel?
Like I said, I don’t have an answer and sometimes you really don’t get the choice between the two. And sometimes you’re really really lucky and have something organic and local. But, I was just curious on some others thoughts on the matter.
What do you all think?
Eating locally has become quite en vogue lately, and for good reason. Besides the fact that the transportation of most of the food in the grocery store impacts the Earth negatively, eating locally is oftentimes tastier and even more nutritious.
The organic movement has also gained speed. It’s good for the environment as well, but it’s also focused on not putting all these man-made chemicals in our bodies and in the Earth.
Okay, so say you are lucky enough to have the option of both—which is better to choose in terms of the environment. A non-organic but local farmer, or an organic but not local product? Which one has the least amount of impact?
I’ve thought a lot about this, but I really don’t know enough about either to determine which is more… Earth and body-minded. On the one hand, a local farmer means very little transportation costs. However, the practices used to produce this food might not be all that great for the environment, for the product, or even for the farmer. Would organic, grown or made with the Earth and our health in mind, be better despite the amount and cost of travel?
Like I said, I don’t have an answer and sometimes you really don’t get the choice between the two. And sometimes you’re really really lucky and have something organic and local. But, I was just curious on some others thoughts on the matter.
What do you all think?
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