Sometimes, real life is more important than discussing Mrs. Dalloway. And if you knew how I loved that book, you’d know I am really saying something.
I invited my AP Literature and Composition class to discuss gun violence in our country. They have questions. They want to know what we are supposed to do when the fire alarm goes off if mass killers are pulling fire alarms. They want to know why this keeps happening. They want to know why people care more about their guns than they do about people’s lives.
We watched Emma González’s incredible speech, which I can also completely justify on the grounds that it’s an excellent example of the rhetorical triangle at work.
As a side note, how amazing is Emma González? When can I vote for her? She even thanked her teacher for teaching her “everything we learned.” Go, Mr. Foster! I know, I know, how very proud you are.
We signed a card with messages from our AP Lit class to the AP Lit classes at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
My students who were eligible registered to vote.
I wish I could express how proud I am of my students. They have thought about this issue. They were pulling up their writing from AP Gov and sharing selections. They know the facts and statistics. Their logic is airtight. They’re going to be marching. They are going to be a part of a revolution.
Incredibly moved by @DelaneyTarr’s speech today. Follow her!
"We've had enough of thoughts and prayers…we are coming after every single one of you and demanding that you take action, demanding that you make a change." #ParklandStudentsSpeak pic.twitter.com/XTkon1ugTV
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 21, 2018
Florida school shooting survivor Cameron Kasky challenges Sen. Marco Rubio: "Can you tell me right now that you will not accept a single donation from the NRA?" https://t.co/LiU42QFBEv #StudentsStandUp https://t.co/p6jlUGFxOs
— CNN (@CNN) February 22, 2018
Really? You followed the damned script to a T. You pumped up millions of kids, for two decades, to believe they and their friends could make a difference. Then you thrust them all into a dystopian nightmare of violence and persecution.
And NOW you're shocked they're all Katniss?
— Patrick S. Tomlinson (@stealthygeek) February 21, 2018
I’m not sure why people are so surprised that the students are rising up—we’ve been feeding them a steady diet of dystopian literature showing teens leading the charge for years. We have told teen girls they are empowered. What, you thought it was fiction? It was preparation.
— Jennifer Ansbach (@JenAnsbach) February 19, 2018
Young people have helped lead all our great movements. How inspiring to see it again in so many smart, fearless students standing up for their right to be safe; marching and organizing to remake the world as it should be. We've been waiting for you. And we've got your backs.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 22, 2018
As a Floridian, I hope I get to cast my vote for one of these #StonemanDouglas kids, one day.
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) February 22, 2018
Timely! #BowieForever pic.twitter.com/S8GROQQ8lV
— Iman Abdulmajid (@The_Real_IMAN) February 19, 2018
I’m so proud to be a teacher in this historical moment. Today I heard a speech from a student in my Comm 1101 class about speaking out. The student referenced the Florida students. It’s so encouraging.
And I love days when a conversation naturally happens.
Well, I really did throw out the lesson (with the students’ go-ahead because it is about their learning, and if they preferred to discuss Virginia Woolf, we would have done so). So, I suppose it was really by design, but nonetheless, I wasn’t sure how they would respond.