I'd like to call a small victory for hope this week.
You're wondering why?
Here's a little story:
I teach English Comp. One of the schools where I teach is in a pretty bad neighborhood. This semester I've got several students who are incredibly energized by Barack Obama's message, by his campaign, by just about everything Obama. They saw my bumper stickers a few months ago and ever since - whenever we're outside of class - "Ms. E, did you see that debate?" or, "Ms. E, what do you think of that Wright controversy?", etc. The questions just keep coming. They registered people to vote in their state. They are energized. They can't wait for Obama to be declared the official nominee. Pretty nice group of kids overall.
Two of my students are brothers and are on the baseball team. The field they practice and play on is owned by the city...which is incredibly poor. As a result, the field is less than well-kept.
Well, one of these boys, we'll call him Joe, said the other day in class, "Ms. E, have you read The Audacity of Hope?"
"I sure have. Why?"
"I told my political science teacher I was reading it and she said, "Why would you want to read that?", and I just wondered if you thought it was good."
Keep in mind, at this point, I'm a bit annoyed with the fact that any teacher would say the words, "Why would you want to read that?" Most days I'd be thrilled if my students told me they were enthralled by a car manual. As long as they're reading something, I feel they're on the right track at least.
As a class - we started to talk a bit about the book. Two other students had read it. Another had also just recently started it. They were intrigued by hope...and yet...Joe was frustrated over the state of the baseball field.
I asked, "Well, think about what you've read in the book...and then ask yourself, is there something you can do to improve or solve this problem."
Joe said, "But the city is poor! They'll never be able to fix it. It's hopeless."
I said, "Perhaps you should reread some of that book."
10 minutes later the entire class is enthralled in a discussion about how they can best help the community - whether it was fixing up the field with corporate sponsorship and inviting the local elementary school kids to practice with the once a week, or organizing a tutor program, or vowing to spend money locally. One even suggested that the school should work with the community to organize more environmentally friendly programs - and said that that might help create jobs. A few of them asked if they could change their essay topics to write about their newfound interest. Um...yes! LOL
Just thought I'd share this story...it was one of those moments that are so rare these days where I found myself happy to be teaching.
In this case, hope wins - and a community and a university and some students will all benefit.
Here are your Top Comments:
From carolita:
When P Mikkelsen asks how to approach a right-wing friend who might be persuaded to vote for Obama, SciVo gives some good advice along with a bunch of very useful links in geiiga's excellent diary How to describe the debate to your right-wing friends.
From sardonyx:
In last night's Open Thread, GB1437a gives a vision for Obama's closing remarks in last night's debate. Would have been nice, wouldn't it?
BlueSue writes about negative consequences of our farm policies and subsidies in Dr A's diary from last night on the Healthy Farm Bill, Urgent Action Requested!
NMRed sheds restraint in a comment that hearkens back to the politics of youthful days (including the Kennedy-Nixon debates).
From watercarrier4diogenes:
Prince Nekhlyudov is a big fan of alliteration.
From DHinMI:
DHinMI loved this comment, by coolsub on the shortcomings of natural methods of contraception.
From earicicle:
As the post-debate venting continued (and the site went a bit wonky) in Kos' Midday Open Thread, blueyedace2 set up the perfect imagery for ABC's "journalistic" performance, but citizenx knocked it out of the park.
From va dare:
In last night's TC Diary, decembersue summed up last night's "debate" as such a pack of girl scouts and I couldn't have agreed more (or laughed harder).
Updated to include these comments submitted by PBen:
From PBen:
zzyzx's got the Right Wing Corporate Media [RWCM] pegged.
Emma in StL loved the questions in the debate.
ShadowSD's reply to arthura's comment is priceless....
From Me:
antirove has a really good comment in Black Men Disappeared, by ThinkingCap. Good diary too.
The great Morgan Sandlin has thoughts on ego in her tip jar. Hillary should read it! I am a bit concerned though about this discussion between DemocraticLuntz and TheBlaz. I sorta want to know what they're talking about here...and yet, I really don't.
Moody Loner and tethys discuss the beginnings of a McCain speech/debate drinking game.
It is a momentous day. TomP and I have found something to agree on. It's been a long time coming.
dadanation provides us with the upcoming schedule for The Thursday Night Weekly Health Care Series in his tip jar. His diary is great by the way.
And now, some comments highlighting action! Did you know that it was Obama Action Week?! If you didn't...well, you do now! Get off your butts and get to work!
ayjaymay was motivated by populista to start taking action to help Obama.
casiopea wants to know how s/he can make the best use of her/his time to help Obama on the ground. Answers follow!
fink and seabrook note that the campaign has requested that you make calls to PA.
Are you in or near NYC? Casperr needs you to help her help Obama. Hop to it! Don't make me yell too!
And last...and not action related...clonecone adds a new word to the DKos lexicon. Say it with me everyone, "pinxious".
Here's your Top Mojo...don't forget to tip Sardonyx for compiling it for you (and me):
Top Mojo excluding search-identifiable tip jars, first diary comments, and Cheers and Jeers:
1) I was writing it as you posted - by teacherken — 401
2) I hope you approve of the editorial by teacherken — 218
3) My dad by Alise — 188
4) i have a feeling this in the end will help obama by Steven R — 152
5) Gibson, Stephanapoulos: Worst Persons/World! by jhutson — 144
6) Hillary could've stopped it........ by peace voter — 136
7) he is a closer no doubt about it. by 8ackgr0und N015e — 127
8) That's basically it by PsiFighter37 — 105
9) I'm mad as HELL! by Jeff Y — 104
10) Of course it did by Dallasdoc — 102
11) Boycott Disney/ABC: Operation Douse the Mouse by jhutson — 101
12) scathing and dead on. n/t by MadAsHellMaddie — 101
13) Brad Delong has quote of the day by DrSteveB — 99
14) I was pleased to hear NPR this morning by bawbie — 98
15) keith is ripping George NOW by Steven R — 97
16) It was an embarrassment. by nowheredesign — 89
17) He can't, as head of the party he must be neutral by revgerry — 89
18) If i was a betting man by smash artist — 89
19) No no no by foxsucks81 — 88
20) they also forgot to ask if he always rewound by brueso — 85
21) Chapter 20 of A People's History by Kab ibn al Ashraf — 84
22) And that's really gonna be the story, isn't it? by electric meatball — 84
23) It's Easier being a Republican by Steven R — 84
24) great video by Steven R — 84
25) This is what makes him a GREAT candidate by Sedi — 83
26) It would be great if the outcome of this by tomkertes — 81
27) It's not fair! by droogie6655321 — 80
28) How about Howard Zinn and Bill Moyers... by swampus — 79
29) Roger that! by understandinglife — 79
30) Just put in $250 by discocarp — 78
31) it looked so staged and planned by MadAsHellMaddie — 77
32) But he's not a hack. He doesn't stoop to by rhfactor — 77
Top Mojo with No Exclusions:
1) Tips by turneresq — 748
2) The ever-prescient John Prine says it best... by Melody Townsel — 629
3) Whatever other skills Obama possesses, by mspicata — 585
4) Tips/flames and please rec if so inclined. by Hudson — 545
5) I was writing it as you posted - by teacherken — 401
6) Tip Jar by PsiFighter37 — 369
7) tip jar by zenbowl — 363
8) Tips for Democrats possibly showing backbone by unertl — 350
9) Senator Obama... by JeffLieber — 341
10) By the way... by droogie6655321 — 333
11) The world is watching by bumblebums — 331
12) I hope you approve of the editorial by teacherken — 218
13) Tips for Action by Populista — 190
14) Greg by foxsucks81 — 190
15) Tip jar by heyhellowhatsnew — 190
16) My dad by Alise — 189
17) I'm so WITH YOU! THe public has been by Denni — 182
18) ABC LOST ME AS A VIEWER. by icebergslim — 153
19) i have a feeling this in the end will help obama by Steven R — 152
20) Gibson, Stephanapoulos: Worst Persons/World! by jhutson — 144
21) Hillary could've stopped it........ by peace voter — 136
22) Tips for Good News by Steven R — 134
23) Thanks for this. by kanuk — 133
24) tips by gobacktotexas — 131
25) Well then... by sam2300 — 130
26) he is a closer no doubt about it. by 8ackgr0und N015e — 127
27) Very Nice... by Steven R — 125
28) Tip Jar by dadanation — 113
29) That's basically it by PsiFighter37 — 105
30) Of course it did by Dallasdoc — 105