Lessons from Eighth Grade #503

 

Lessons from Eighth Grade

Lesson #503 - Ladder of Hate

(Based on Anti-Defamation League’s Pyramid of Hate)

Level 1: Biased Attitudes: Stereotyping, microaggressions, insensitive remarks.

Level 2: Discrimination: Excluding or mistreating individuals or groups based on their identity.

Level 3: Harassment: Repeatedly bothering or disturbing someone.

Level 4: Violence: Physical or verbal acts of aggression.

Level 5: Genocide: The systematic destruction of a group based on their identity.

Part of my eighth grade curriculum discussed hatred. We started by examining bullies as we read The Misfits by James Howe. Our discussion looked at the fine line between teasing and bullying. We talked about when the line was crossed from bullying to the Anti-Defamation League’s Level 1: Biased Attitudes.

We looked at how much energy it took to hate. A constant barrage of thoughts, images, and actions all meant to sustain hatred. We studied the Ladder of Hate. Where in our history did we, as a country, move up the ladder? We could look at our treatment of Native Americans. Did we reach Level 5?

If we look at our country today…can we not see our president, Donald J. Trump, working his way up this ladder too? Insensitive remarks, mockery, name calling, microaggressions. He has done all of these. Harassment and Violence toward specific groups based on their identity. Physical AND verbal acts of aggression. He and his minion are one step away from Genocide…

I hope that the eighth graders that made their way through my classroom over the years took two heart the lessons taught about hate. I hope that they see many of our public servants as leveling their way up the Ladder of Hate. I also hope that they can call out those that continue to fuel hate. That they can reflect and find empathy for all the people of our nation. Diversity is what this nation was founded on, and what continues to make us a great nation. In this world, there is no room for hate.

“Other Birds”

Do you believe that those who pass before us, are still able to interact with the living? I believe that my grandfather occasionally visits me as a crow. So Hennessey’s characters communicating with their dearly departed loved ones was no big stretch for me. 

Embracing one’s past while reaching out to the future. Trying to honor those we loved and still love, without jeopardizing other relationships. Finding a balance. Taking a chance that those around you will understand. 

Lies that lead to twists. Ghosts that cause havoc. Departed loved ones that aren’t able to move on…held here by those that need them the most. Understanding. Love. Perhaps, a happily-ever-after for both the living and the dead.

Lessons from Eighth Grade - #358

 

Lesson #358

“The Misfits” by James Howe

Every story needs an antagonist. Yet, not every antagonist is a bully. This story is as much about the bully, as it is about the misfits that find their voices in order to be seen and heard.

A bully is a crass individual who degrades those he sees as less than. He torments other people to feel superior. Name calling. Mockery. Threats. These are all part of his arsenal. But, a bully would lose steam quickly, if not surrounded by his minions. These people are what I call the “yuck-em-up” guys. Their self-esteem is so low, that the only way they are seen, is by continually propping up the bully. Whether it is laughing at his jokes, bolstering his confidence, or simply being in his orbit - no bully is complete without his “yuck-em-up” guys.

It’s funny. I hadn’t thought about this book and all the great lessons I taught from it, for my eighth grade classes, in a long time. But something about Donald Trump and his minions, brought me back to this book. I suppose what really got me thinking of “The Misfits” is Trump’s name calling. 

Trump is a bully. And, yes, he is surrounded by his own legion of “yuck-em-up” guys. Politicians and non-politicians alike. Bullies only exist as long as they have an audience. Without his followers, inside and outside the White House, he too would lose steam and fade away.

In the book, the protagonists find their collective voice and call out the bully for what he is. It’s time for us to use our collective voices to call out Trump. To hold him and his minions accountable. Will this bring us all the happily-ever-after we deserve? I’m not sure, but it’s better than being at the mercy of a bully.

“The Dirty Book Club”

Wings

This book is all about wings…but probably not how you think. Wings of courage, perhaps. Wings to take chances. Wings to expose one's feelings. Wings to fly, certainly.

Coerced friendship. Earned trust. Secrets. 

The ability to be who you truly are, and be ok with it. To be accepted for who you are. To take chances and be supported. 

To love and be loved. To look at life through a different lens. To let go. To grab at life with both hands. To be happy. To be surrounded by friends who love and cherish you.

Oh, and a lot of talk about sex.

“The House of Lincoln”

 

Springfield, Illinois

1851 - 1909

A house divided…

At such a complicated time in our country’s history, listening to different voices can help shed light on different experiences. How could anyone living, at that time, not feel the strain of race relations, especially in “border states” such as Illinois. Communities of people all reaching for their share of the American dream…”life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

However, what strikes me and worries me, are some of the similarities to our current political situation. 

Out of context, could this not be said about President Donald Trump?

“But he says the same things over and over again. And he lies! If a man will stand up and assert and repeat and re-assert that two and two do not make four, I know nothing in the power of argument that can stop him.” (135) - In reference to Stephen Douglas campaigning against Abraham Lincoln for president, 1858.

And this might describe so many of our elected representatives today…

“Some people are willfully ignorant. They aren’t stupid - they simply choose to be oblivious. That way they aren’t responsible for anything that goes wrong.” (323)

The lesson to be learned from this novel: 

“With malice toward none, with charity for all…to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” - Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Speech, 1865.

How we treat each other going forward, is all that matters. Respecting those who agree and who disagree with us. I’m hoping that we find a way back to a house no longer divided.

More thoughts on books and stuff at mytossiecup.blogspot.com

“Florence Gordon”

Bitch. There, I said it. Florence Gordon is a bitch. Doesn’t seem to care about anyone but herself. And yet…

Living life on her own terms. Fighting the good fight. Finding a life that fills her soul. Is she happy? Is she really fulfilled? What about those around her?

Relationships misunderstood. Unconditional love?

For all her chasing windmills - what legacy will she leave? How will she be remembered?

Mom. Grandma. Narcissist. Feminist. Writer. Grump. Bitch.

“Tight Rope”

 

I have loved all of the books in this series. It feels like a well loved tv show. You look forward to seeing what adventures the characters get into week to week. The same is true of the Country Club Murders. Except…

I don’t know if it’s me, or the political climate at this point in time. I found the characters to be pretentious…privileged. I never really saw them that way before. Sure they have money. Sure they have domestic help. Sure they all belong to the Country Club.  All of this I could take in stride as I read. But now, today, it feels different.

Ellison and Anarchy solve the murder (with some help from the mob) and retire to their McMansion, then dine out at the Country Club and wait for the next body to drop.

“The Murder After the Night Before”

 

London. Strike one.

Fall-down drunk. Strike two.

Good Samaritan? Strike three

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good murder mystery. Broken characters. “Perfect” characters. Jealousy. Missed potential. Sex. Overly helpful characters. Creepy characters. Married, cheating characters. 

Who killed her?

How do you put the pieces back together with no memory of what happened? What if part of your black-out evening is plastered all over social media? Who do you trust? The mystery man? The police? Your friends? The twist in the end was jaw dropping. 

Now we know who killed her.