Civil Rights unit success

The are some random photos from our 8-week long Civil Rights unit. Really, it was 10-1/2-weeks including making the books and the presentation for the parents. The unit began on Dr. King's birthday (15 Jan.), but we started learning about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Thereafter, we continued learning about some of the significant people and events of the US Civil Rights Movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., sit-ins, Elizabeth Peratrovich, Ruby Bridges, and Freedom Riders. My hope for next year is to include more of the courageous and significant movements within (concerning Alaska Natives, from Birmingham to Selma, March on Washington, the summer of 1964, civil rights today). I need to learn more myself. I didn't want to stop, but we have to cover other things before the end of the year. Next year, hopefully things will go smoother & we can fit more in. We covered a lot of ground, given that I had 30 minutes a day, four days a week with them.

This is 1st and 2nd grade, kids ages 7-9, so we didn't get into great detail. The things they've remembered, the shock at some of the filmage and photos they saw, how they act towards each other, and the pictures they drew all tell me that they recognize racism and discrimination as wrong. I didn't spare them from seeing the horrid footage of children being sprayed with water hoses, people being beaten, racist police officers, or Dr. King's assassination (I actually cried when I saw that part again). I showed photos & told stories about bus bombings and sit-in humiliation. I'm not in favor of desensitizing kids with things like horror flicks, but I felt it was important to expose them to what can come of true hatred so that they can make the conscious choice to stop it and learn that tolerance is the way to go. That's my hope anyway. As we progressed, I realized that this unit fit perfectly with behavior management, with emphasis on equality, fairness, and non-violence. All the more reason to extend it next year. ^_^

One more thing, I realize I'm getting a little windy here.

Bookmaking: Throughout the unit they drew pictures to help them remember what they learned. I tried to expose them to different art media for this as well. As a final project they combined these and made a book from scratch. This consisted of making the covers with cardboard & gluing tissue paper down, then duct taping the spines. They hammered holes into the paper & sewed the pages with embroidery thread, and glued those pages into the book. In addition to their pictures, I typed summaries about the people or event we studied for their families to read & they glued them on the back of the corresponding pictures. (Next year, this will most likely be personal reflections.) They also drew pictures we used to help them remember their vocabulary: non-violence, boycott, protest, courage, racism, segregation, integration, assassination, sit-ins, etc. Slap on a title page & vuyalla. The finally consisted of making cookies and assigning lines that the students would say during our "Freedom Tea." 15 parents and our principal came to hear some information about the Civil Rights Movement, drink coffee and tea, and look at the students books. All but one student, out of 30, did their part and contributed to the "Freedom Tea." It was a great success!

...... "That's all folks!"

(Also, the girl in the pink shirt did the Freedom Riders, Martin, Ruby, and sit-ins drawings. I don't think I can write her name here, but I want her to have some sort of credit. The other artists aren't pictured.)

"Ladies'" night #1

This was our first stab at "ladies' night." We began with more guys than gals.

All of these photos were taken with Christina's camera, palmed by many.

Patience

Time and patience go hand in hand, right. Sometimes they conflict, when we want to move things along faster, for instance. Other times they compliment, as when something unexpected happens. I received a cloaked message today from a visitor.

About *3* summers ago I took a class about ArcMap, which included assisting some Jr. High students in a project utilizing the program and them presenting their product at a Science Fair Symposium in Juneau the following spring. Parents of one out of two students that made it all the way to the symposium asked if they could borrow $200 to let her buy things whilst there. I agreed. They never paid me back or mentioned it. And I wrote it off as a loss, knowing good karma would be the gain. In all honesty, I could take the loss and they couldn't.

So, today I get a knock on the door (at school). The dad of that student walks in and hands me two chrisp $100 bills. I responded with a "Wow! Quyana!" for obvious reasons. He stood there for a minute. Then, he sedately said, "Well, we owe you. I'm not sorry. But, you know, my wife, she is." Another half a minute pause went by. "Thanks for your patience," he said as he walked towards the door.

Never mind the sweet bonus. The reminder I received was just as valuable. Everything that is meant to happen shall on its own time; I need only be patient and keep pursuing. When I'm ready to receive those gifts they will be bestowed upon me.

Food, Glorious Food

This is Shaun's photo. (See Shibby's AK Journal.)

I too received this gorgeous lot of organic food last week from Full Circle Farm. I'm signed up to receive a box full of goodies to the likings of this every two-weeks. As many of you are aware, in "bush Alaska" we have irregular access to fresh fruits and vegetables, let alone organic.

I have to admit that I do feel a sense of guilt about affording such privileges, when there are people across the globe dying of hunger. May those with empty hands and stomachs feel them full. I would be a lie if I denied this truth of leading a favorable life. This is a part of my life and I'm thankful and happy to be blessed with it.

FREE GAZA

I am not going to go into the minimal history that I have learned about the conflict between Palestine and Israel in the past few months. You can inquire on your own. In short, this is day 12 of the current warfare on the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip is the most densely populated area in the world, busting 1.5 million in a 45-mile zone. Israeli casualties are currently at 10, with around 42 injuries. Palestinian casualties rapidly surmount, currently at 670 (300 civilians according to AP, 45% women & children-Democracy Now!), with 3,000 wounded and a hospital busting at the seams that had little supplies to begin with. Never mind the lack of provisions of food, fuel, electricity, and basic medical supplies before 27 December. Really this is skimming the surface as far as the inhumane acts accrued. I do not exactly agree with the Hamas’ tactics. In this situation, I advocate for Palestinians as a whole and certainly any innocent bystanders on all sides. Currently, I am wondering at what point and who enforces the “international humanitarian law”. Is there possibly a resolution that will satisfy both parties, without the desire to simply kill the other off entirely?

Al-Ahram Weekly (Egypt) made an obvious, valid point in a recent article. The same point a friend of mine made at the onslaught. They ended the article with, “beyond the internal politics of Israel -- why this attack has been allowed to occur: the complicity and silence of the international community.

Israel cannot and would not act against the will of its economic allies in Europe or its military allies in the US. Israel may be pulling the trigger and ending hundreds, perhaps even thousands of lives this week, but it is the apathy of the world and the inhumane tolerance of Palestinian suffering that allows this to occur.”

There have been a number of peace demonstrations across the world (some of which have been met with water hoses and tear gas, arrests, etc.). It’s broadcast that many world leaders are holding meetings and phoning in urgent messages. Particularly, France and Egypt have been bold advocates for mediating the current situation. This courage is wonderful! Their bravery is impressive and commendable. Ultimately, it is up to Israel’s president, Hamas leaders, and our world leaders to prosecute towards a cease-fire and serve as mediators to come to some sort of consensus.

Here are some news sites to get more of the Middle Eastern perspective:
Jerusalem Post, Haaretz (Israel)
Ma'an News Agency, The Electronic Intifatah (Palestine)
Tehran Times (Iran)
Hurriyet (Turkey)
Syria Times
Times of India (India)
The Daily Star (Lebanon)
The New York Times, Associated Press, Democracy Now! (US)

... Now I need to update myself on the current news.