Without getting myself into too much trouble with my current job I must relate a story that made me angry, then do a happy dance in my car (completely independent of this new kick ass song that Libby sent me in a KickAss Teacher Mix CD called “Mi Tumbao” by Tres Coronas) then made me do a victory lap around the teacher’s lounge because I feel a small triumph was won that I so rarely win with this group of people.
If I had theme music following me around, it would be that song. No joke. Either that or Manamana from Sesame Street. I’m not joking about that, either.
In this group of people I am the youngest Literacy Coach and the youngest department chair. This doesn’t always come with much respect, though it doesn’t deter me from speaking my mind. It just doesn’t ever let me get my way. With Kennimus I argue probably more often than I should publicly admit, but that’s just minute detail stuff like whose turn it is to clean out the bong water so really, who cares?
At this meeting we were coming up with the next interim measure (we’re big this year on calling all periodic tests interim measures or assessments, but we don’t, under any circumstances, call it a test) which is a piece of text (we don’t say reading passage either. Gosh. We’re awfully snotty, aren’t we?) followed by some questions and a writing prompt that asks the students to respond in such a way as to prove that they comprehended the passage.
It’s a tedious process that leaves me frustrated nearly every time.
This morning as we met we read several things and decided which to use for second quarter and the very first one I read was by Lucille Clifton, an African American poet. (In case you were wondering, I’m friends with my parenthetical statements again. All day it’s been like this. Every e-mail I sent included some parentheses. Anyway, you should click on that link of Clifton because I SWEAR ON ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY THAT SHE WROTE A POEM ENTITLED “Homage To My Hips” and “Poem To My Uterus”. And you thought I toed the line.) The short piece was written in African American vernacular and as soon as I read it I could smell a fight coming.
Patiently, I read it and waited to hear.
I’m a fast reader so I scanned the other two women there (we were expecting a third to arrive) and watched their faces to gauge their reactions, but they didn’t respond. Finally, I spoke up:
“Here’s what I think: I like it. It’s really good and the kids will enjoy it. But I know that some teachers will have trouble with it because it’s not written in Standard (I did the whole use-two-fingers-and-make-bunny-ears thing and put parentheses around that word even though I truly hate it when people do that, but I was overemphasizing my distaste for that word) English, but I have an argument for that. Mark Twain did it and do we not believe him to be a Literary Giant? Why would it be okay for him to do it and not this author? Also, by the time students get to high school they are asked to read Elizabethan poetry and come on, but that’s like learning a new language, you know? Who, in their right mind, goes into a Shakespeare course and doesn’t need help in learning to read that new language? But honestly, we all think that’s fine and dandy. So, here’s what I think: If anyone has trouble in using this piece then just send them to me.”
The soliloquy wasn’t meant to go on and on like that, but it just poured out of me. There was no hiding my passion about this and I wanted to get in all my good ones before anyone interrupted me or before I ran out of breath.
When the third woman got there after my verbose rendition of Angry Mulatto Woman she read for just under a minute before stopping to say, “Well, I can tell you from a grammar teacher perspective that I have a problem with this. I mean, I had a hard time reading this!”
Soliloquy, Act II. This time, the other two women there just sort of sat back as if to say, “Oh, sweet Lord, here she goes again.” even though one of them had a smirk on her face like she was amused to see me get fired up all over again.
Act III. I exit stage left having trounced the room since we decided not only to use that passage but also use the prompt I wanted to use with it.
Act IV. I shake my booty all the way back to my school fully realizing this may be the last time they ever invite me to a meeting again.
October 31, 2006 @ 6:19 am | Filed under Education | Permalink |
Janet a.k.a Wonder Mom Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 6:31 am
You can never agree on a piece of text for interim measures. No one is ever happy!!! Good luck.
I wish I could speak my mind like that…I never did. I always just went with it and wished I fought the good fight…Maybe when I eventually go back to work, I’ll have something to say.
Jessica Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 6:57 am
Want drama? How’s this…you came to St. Louis for the World Series and I didn’t get to meet you?! Take thy beak from out my heart.
Mocha Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 7:06 am
Jessica - I was wearing red. Didn’t you see me?
Dave2 Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 7:45 am
Air quotes. Those are called “air quotes.”
Though “bunny ears” makes it sound a lot cuter than it is!
kari Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 7:55 am
HA! you rock! this is why you’re my hero. well, one of them anyway.
and p.s. - i use paranthetical asides ALL THE TIME. they’re freaking awesome. the best is when you start inserting asides into asides that are already in asides, and suddenly you come to the end and you have three or four close-parentheses in a row. but maybe that only amuses me because i’m such a grammar nut.
dfinley Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 7:59 am
I second Jessica. Of course I wasn’t in St. Louis when you were here. Next time you are in St. Louis we must have a Mocha meet and greet.
Way to rock the room of those damn closed minded educators who don’t understand that the students that they teach are far more capable and are far different than they were or were thought to be. Our students are lucky to have you.
Jenna Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 8:49 am
Ok, since no one has said it yet, i am just going to mention it. Bong water…nice touch!
Peace!
owlhaven Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 9:07 am
Also since no one has said it yet…I like the poem…
Mary
Nora Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 9:50 am
I like the poem too, I can relate, and I like the meter. I know this may miss the point, but I am really glad you and parenthesis are friends again. I was up so worried about how to get you three to see that you could overcome your differences and have fun again. Glad you got your way too…
Caffeinated Librarian Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 10:08 am
So you HAVE picked a favorite song on the cd?! *grin* You know when I put that on there I was thinking of the whole Rap-gate thing at that happened in your office (was it a month ago already?). Regardless, it’s a great song (I love the horn section, myself). Btw, I haven’t forgotten about your email…I promise I will answer. It’s just that tonight is the big night, don’t ‘cha know - much to do and all that.
And on that note, here is a little poem of a different kind just to celebrate the season:
“There are monsters everywhere,
monsters wandering in my hair,
monsters on the corner stair,
monsters in my rocking chair,
monsters going up the wall,
monsters that are very tall.
If I caught them in a bunch,
I’d have monster stew for lunch.”
~ “Monsters Everywhere” by Steven Kroll
Dana Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 11:10 am
Yay! You rawk, my dear!
Cyndi Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 11:27 am
The only thing sweeter than speaking up and holding on to principle - is speaking up, holding on to principle and being HEARD!!!! Good for you - shake those hips!!!!!
ali Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 11:56 am
love the hips poem, i’m not african american but i’ve got some hips! had to jump on the NaBloPoMo bandwagon it looks like fun but haven’t figured out how i want to work two blogs though, just copy the post to both blogs, do different posts for both blogs? do i have that in me? we shall see!
dink(y) Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 12:14 pm
HA! Your back-up “theme song” was originally background an Italian Porn flick!!!!
Woman, you are hilarious!
::Mana Mana::
SMC Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 1:01 pm
You go! I am victory dancing with you and wishing there were more people like you in education.
I always LOVED Manamana!
Tanilan Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 1:31 pm
Okay I so want to just do backflips around the library right now. That is awesome. I love that poem too. I printed it out for some of my high schoolers. They like it too.
Love ya!
Betsy Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
Victory is so sweet, isn’t it?
Ariana Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 5:06 pm
I have The Muppet Show DVD’s and I’ve been known to dance around the house to the tune of Manamana…tu…tu…tu-tu.. Mananamana!
Mrs RW Said,
October 31, 2006 @ 7:33 pm
When Mark Twain wrote in the “popular vernacular” (insert bunny ears) it was hailed as ground-breaking. When I read that observation it seemed so amazing to me. How did authors give flavor to their characters before that? How did you know what someone from Mississippi or Bronx sounded like?
If we expect kids to understand the world outside their own front door we have to give them the tools to explore it. And that includes using literature spoken in new voices even if we don’t understand it. They do.
Mocha Momma Said,
November 1, 2006 @ 6:39 am
Dave - I’m entirely embarrassed that I didn’t call them “air quotes”, but the bunny thing is probably gonna stick with me now. Especially because of the cuteness factor.
Mrs RW - Amen, sister. You said it well.
Natalie Said,
November 1, 2006 @ 7:08 am
Not only did I read some of her poems but I also read the “critique” of her poetry by some dude named “Dan.” Dan don’t get it do he? Tsk…
Good for you for standing in your tall-junior-self. Fresh perspective. That’s what the “newbie” has to offer… and if the “oldies but moldies” can’t see that… well, keep on fightin’ the good fight!
Natalie
Josh Said,
November 1, 2006 @ 8:11 am
Incredible…KUDOS!!!! That’s so funny and so like many veterans…It’s tough being the young pup…
Belinda Said,
November 1, 2006 @ 10:57 pm
The only thing that bothers me about writing in the vernacular is when the author gets it WRONG. As happens often when people not from the South write characters and dialogue from the South. I hates it, Preciousssss.
And can I thank you profusely for not speaking of “TOWING” the line? Thank you.
DavidShag Said,
November 3, 2006 @ 12:39 pm
What? You call those lines following the piece of text questions? Are they not mandatory requests for responses? Jeez. I find nothing wrong with the lady #3 (but wait - with you there, wouldn’t she be #4?) saying she had a hard time following the piece of text. Maybe she did. I supposed her tone is lost in the writing, and that it was somewhat of a challenging nature. I avoid long works (including Twain) that use vernacular spellings - I am particularly annoyed by spelling “victuals” as “vittles” when both are pronounced exactly the same. But I think I could handle a poem. I find that often vernacular is used to imply a depth or wisdom that straightforward commonly agreed upon writing would show to be missing. I usually find it works best for humor - and in small doses. I do feel, though, that if I am expected to enjoy texts written in different vernaculars, then no one should object if i use them in speech - and they so often seem to do so.