While talking with my team teachers today we were discussing how more students are becoming indifferent and are uninterested in creating quality work they can be proud of. I had a student question why it was important to make his work look neat. If I, the teacher, can read it and he can get a B why does he need to go through the work to turn his paper the correct way and write within the lines, with the holes on the left side. I would have accepted his debate if he told me that he appreciates the aesthetics of the paper written sideways, or even that it was his birthday so he should decide the rules of paper turning usage nonsense. That was not his argument, he just wanted to do it the wrong way because he thought his defiance and disinterest would make him appear cool. He turned 9 today. Rising up is generation of people who at this young of an age are not cognitively mature enough to really understand irony or sarcasm, but revolve their actions and resulting identity around these literary techniques.
Ones reputation has always been a driving force behind human behavior. The difference is that a reputation used to be based on what you can make, not what you can mock.
Here's what I am going to do. Accept myself for who I am and not hide my ideas and passions behind a cool, uninterested facade. I am Bethany Fern Maroney. I curled my short blonde hair super tight today because I have always thought afros looked really neat. In the seventh grade I wore a hat with a pocket and put a potato in the pocket whilst declaring myself Ms. Potato on her Head (clever and borderline mocking, although I am fairly sure I was the only one who thought so). I also spent some time with a flamingo stuffed animal on my head because I thought it was unique and fun. I spent an entire year wearing pajama pants because I had made many different kinds on my own and I was proud of my work. When I look back I remember defending my choices by saying it was cool, or that it made me different. The truth is, it made me happy, and I believe that should be reason enough.
I also love Christmas sweaters and most of the time don't think they are all that ugly. The good ones have some sweet stitching and sequin placement that probably took someone a nice long time to do. I also thoroughly enjoy looking a the macrame Christmas tree and wall hanging. They remind me of the people I love who made them, and kindle the spirit of the season.
Guess what. I have long claimed to be sarcastic and witty. Here's the truth: I am not, I am sincere and was scared. You can still laugh and enjoy my remarks and lifestyle It is hopefully fun, lively, and can entertain you. Please peruse my Facebook page and realize those things I said, I mean. You might also realize I have an issue with vanity, really just depends on your definition of excessive. That and I like the sound of superlative adjectives.
I love you all!
My beliefs that back my refusal to go back and check my writing to make sure it is grammatically correct are: 1. Sleep is more important than editing a blog. 2. Ideas are more important than grammar (don't tell my students- sometimes I have to ignore my own morals to allow others to develop their own).
“Consider the reasons which make us certain that we are right... but not the fact that we are certain. If you are not convinced, ignore our certainty. Don't be tempted to substitute our judgment for your own.” | P3C2 ATLAS SHRUGGED
