You know, I have a confession to make. I’m weary. Not like sleepy tired, but I am growing fatigued from fighting the good fight…and it has only been a one-month battle so far.
Huh??
Have you ever experienced any of these feelings?
- I feel like I’ve been committed to a psych hospital, but I’m completely, totally sane. And for the life of me, I can’t convince the people on staff that they have it all wrong. It’s like Daffy Duck: “But I AM Robin Hood!”
- I’m afraid, because of my involvement in this highly political and emotionally hot issue, that people are going to run the other way when they see me coming, for fear of having to suffer through another diatribe. I do not want to be “that guy.”
- I feel like David, going up against Goliath.
- I feel that a cause I really believe in is being handled, in many respects, the wrong way, and I don’t know what I can do about it.
So…cut and run? Fight on? Redouble efforts? Suggest other avenues, for which I will most certainly be roasted and eaten, old-school Usenet style?
Deep thoughts this morning, when I should be choreographing the wedding scene. I think I’ll go do that now. But first, I have to watch Robin Hood again. 
Fighting the good fight can indeed make a person weary, weary, weary, especially when others who should care deeply show no concern, have their heads in the sand, or are openly argumentative, and even hostile. I’ve opened some of the links you’ve included, and what’s happening in education scares the bejebbers (sp?) out of me. Your fight is worthy, and may you be refreshed, and may you discern the best strategies for carrying on. Through the years, I’ve fought a couple of fights too, and the other side often doesn’t play fair. Instead of responding rationally or thoughtfully, they resort to name calling, diatribe, ostracism and other emotional tactics. In one, a supposed “colleague” labeled me a heretic and refused to speak to me for several years. He’s dead now, and for the time being at least, I’m alive. Robin Hood lives on.
Thanks paisan — I needed to hear this today!
RD said everything I wanted to say! Sometimes you get to the point that you want to say – I give up. What’s the use. No one is listening. I know from personal experience, too. Hang on, honey. I know that you will get the attention you need for this extremely important issue. Keep the bow and arrows at the ready! Love you!
Thanks, Mavis — that means the world! I will reload the quiver and prepare for the second round!
Don’t give up sweets!!! Even if everything fails at least you will know that you gave it the good fight. I am sure that’s what you tell your students. Just sayin’.
Lemme tell you about my fight in California. It was my first year at a new school, 3rd year in the District. I wasn’t yet tenured but was a member of the union. Our school had fenced in a large section of the field behind the school and let it grow naturally with a few seeds thrown in for good measure. It was called The Habitat and it was flipping awesome. We made small trails through it and we could take our kids through it to admire the various flowers, bugs and grasses that were indigenous to the desert.
One day I took my class out there and we had an adventure with a big ole bumblebee. First graders and a bumblebee that seemed to want to make friends with one little boy in particular makes for a good story. So we wrote a class story complete with illustrations. I had it laminated and bound and **** I wish I still had it.
One day the superintendent showed up with a couple of authoritatious-looking people. They wanted to go in and have a look at The Habitat and were of course let in. Later that day we found out why. Hemp was growing there (naturally of course!!!) and The Habitat had to be shut down.
Outrage all over–hemp does not mean marijuana!! So we organized a stand-in and went and surrounded The Habitat as the bulldozer arrived. Of course we weren’t successful and had to leave. The disappointment in the whole school was enormous. Remember–I wasn’t tenured and such action was frowned upon. But I went and stood my ground with the others because I knew what they were doing was wrong.
Now The Habitat (and Miss Wolf ) are just another memory there in Blythe CA.
Always follow your heart. There will be frustrations and tears, but the rewards are great. <3
Pshh… Harper Valley PTA!! I read once that hemp and marijuana are definitely related — as a chihuahua and a wolf are related. HA
Even though the outcome was not as you all wished, I’m sure you felt good about having stood up for that space for the kids. I plan to stay the course, and thanks luv!!
HA funny thing was, our Super liked to wear sandals that were MADE of hemp.