[Xmca-l] Re: Atlanta principal: If you want students to become leaders, let them lead

Thu Mar 15 09:24:57 PDT 2018

A poster at the protest my granddaughter went to in New York read:

*"Girls clothing in school is more regulated than GUNS in America!"*

mike

On Thu, Mar 15, 2018 at 6:10 AM, Peter Smagorinsky <smago@uga.edu> wrote:

> I'm in Mexico this week for work with the U. of Guadalajara, but am
> following the news from afar. This opinion essay was in today's Atlanta
> Journal-Constitution and speaks to what I firmly believe. Some of the local
> schools tried to crack down on yesterday's walkout. Not this one.
>
> Atlanta principal: If you want students to become leaders, let them lead
> 20h ago, March 14, 2018
>
> Atlanta's Grady High School has a long history of social activism.
> Students honored and continued that legacy today with their walkout for
> victims of the Parkland, Fla., school shooting a month ago.
>
> Here is why Grady and other high schools have that legacy - they are led
> by leaders who believe you cannot teach students the value of civic
> engagement and then deny them the opportunity to engage with the challenges
> of their time.
>
> This is what Betsy Bockman, the Grady principal, sent the community before
> today's walkout.
>
> By Betsy Bockman
>
> Activism...a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action<
> https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/action<
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__k12.
> us2.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Dbb50a970191462059e6ea0004-
> 26id-3D213560250b-26e-3D2b3a15cef2&d=DwMFAg&c=QvQrCjPtO9cKGOfGYlNgXQ&r=
> IMgicusXBF0kzYf-C_VrBA&m=rk6d8sXZ_CM15OBzmALXpDClWHSSYYfNHkXnJEHIohY&s=
> 6mQow7YXix63UzhE66vsWhsScbAulFiV2yvfEiTIstM&e=>> especially in support of
> or opposition to one side of a controversial issue
> * political activism
> * environmental activism
> (Merriam-Webster)
>
> When I was growing up my mother was the definition of activism and it was
> scary to me because it was all a battle against the status quo. My brain
> was wired to work within the system (tail end of the baby boomer
> generation) and my mom was the opposite.
>
> Before I was 10 years old, I marched and attended meetings dealing with
> all kinds of "causes"-- this would now be called social justice I think.
> Women's Liberation, Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Pro-Choice, Vegetarianism,
> Communal living, Latinless Catholic Mass, Farm Worker's Rights,
> Desegregation, Worker's Rights, Housing Rights, Socialism, Capitalism, The
> Great Speckled Bird, Nicaragua, and Unitarianism were all things swirling
> in my home, head, and history. I didn't like it one bit at the time -- I
> wanted a mom that that wasn't so well, embarrassing. She even wanted to be
> called by her name, not "Mom"! I mean my mom was eating kale, brown rice,
> soy beans, and lentils 60 years ago right when all those great frozen TV
> dinners and Hamburger Helper came out.
>
> I have gotten accustomed to the activist energy at Grady. These kids feel
> things at very complex and expressive levels. You only need to walk through
> the halls to see posters and flyers bursting with emotion about the
> Environmental Science students researching the environmental impact of the
> Fuqua proposed development across the street; the Ignite Club inviting
> Atlanta leaders who themselves are on the cutting edge of activism to come
> speak; our recent Black History program that featured real issues of social
> justice and injustice in our community and across the U.S.; and mental
> health concerns plaguing our adolescents.
>
> In addition, voices about the dangerous safety and traffic issues at 10th
> and Monroe streets continue in loud voices so that Grady student, Alex
> Hyneman's death at that intersection only two years ago will continue to
> galvanize the community toward greater pedestrian and bicycle safety for
> Grady and Inman students.
>
> Now this week, we have the opportunity for students to express their
> feelings in collective voice in regard to the latest school shooting only
> one state away which feels just too close, too scary, and too massive to
> ignore.
>
> Today, during advisement period, students will be given the opportunity to
> walk to the stadium and participate in a program of activism and reflection
> as a result of the Miami massacre. Grady is a mixture of voices and
> feelings--not about taking sides about constitutional amendments. It is a
> moment in time where students feel the need to be a part of change - even
> though many are at an age where they can't yet drive or vote.
>
> They want to be a part of the movement, the fix, the feeling, no matter
> the differences in affluence, native country, religion, political views,
> race, or ethnicity. The deaths near Miami hurt our community--one of the
> victims was friends with a number of our students who all attended summer
> camp together for years. One of our Grady teachers attended the high school
> and knew well one of the teachers killed.
>
> In some ways, it feels like we all survived another horrible experience
> which dealt a blow to adolescents in arms. Maybe it was the eclipse which
> started the year. Maybe it was just a year that we were all destined to
> experience loss, grief, and to learn to live with loss, and to find greater
> meaning for our Grady community. We are all learning resilience and
> strength and courage no matter our age at Grady. Alex Hyneman succumbed to
> her injuries the same day my mother passed away. Maybe that's why I feel so
> strongly about making that intersection so much safer than what has already
> been done.
>
> I understand my mom's passion and drive -- I got quite a bit of it myself
> even though I fought against it for years. I use so much of what I observed
> from those early years in working with our Grady students -- I have to
> trust them and help guide them as they speak their passion and confusion
> and love even if it is messy and embarrassing at times. Eleanor Troutman
> Bockman (Lea) would have loved to be a part of the energy.
>
> ________________________________
> ________________________________
> Reader Comments 7
> [Livefyre]<http://livefyre.com/>
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> [Avatar for SouthernHope5]<https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/
> atlanta-principal-you-want-students-become-leaders-let-them-lead/
> 805fxqch86E5yqzHBSPbrI/>
> SouthernHope5 14 hours ago
>
> thank you for writing this!
> FlagShare
> 2[Another comment]<https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/atlanta-
> principal-you-want-students-become-leaders-let-them-lead/
> 805fxqch86E5yqzHBSPbrI/>[meno]<https://www.myajc.com/blog/
> get-schooled/atlanta-principal-you-want-students-
> become-leaders-let-them-lead/805fxqch86E5yqzHBSPbrI/>LikeReply
> [Avatar for clyde escope]<https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/atlanta-
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> clyde escope 15 hours ago
>
> You are a blessing and a great leader, Betsy. Thank you.
> FlagShare
> 3[ksuna]<https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/atlanta-
> principal-you-want-students-become-leaders-let-them-lead/
> 805fxqch86E5yqzHBSPbrI/>[Another comment]<https://www.myajc.
> com/blog/get-schooled/atlanta-principal-you-want-students-
> become-leaders-let-them-lead/805fxqch86E5yqzHBSPbrI/>[meno]<
> https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/atlanta-
> principal-you-want-students-become-leaders-let-them-lead/
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> [Avatar for Annie]<https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/atlanta-
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> Annie 16 hours ago
>
> A great principal supports her students and assures their voice is heard.
> Kudos to Betsy!
> FlagShare
> 3[ksuna]<https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/atlanta-
> principal-you-want-students-become-leaders-let-them-lead/
> 805fxqch86E5yqzHBSPbrI/>[clyde escope]<https://www.myajc.com/
> blog/get-schooled/atlanta-principal-you-want-students-
> become-leaders-let-them-lead/805fxqch86E5yqzHBSPbrI/>[meno]<
> https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/atlanta-
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> [Avatar for feedback11]<https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/atlanta-
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> feedback11 17 hours ago
>
> The real leaders of tomorrow are getting a good look at how liberals in
> the media and schools manufacture "protest movements" to further the
> leftist agenda. The viral Trump-hate motivating ringleaders must astonish
> and sicken them.
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> [Avatar for TruthReallyHurts]<https://www.myajc.com/blog/get-schooled/
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> TruthReallyHurts 14 hours ago
>
> @feedback11 So it's now considered "leftist" to want to be safe from a
> gun-wielding sociopath while you're in school? You neo-cons/deplorables get
> dumber every day. SMH
>
>