This chapter focuses mostly on racism and the fight against racism. Personally, I have not had many encounters with racism, other than the knowledge that it exists. In the schools that I went to and the groups of people I hung out with it really was never an issue. What happened to Reggie though really hit a tone with me. What made it even worse is that the cop who was responsible was never really brought to full justice. In my opinion, that police officer should have lost his badge for good, not just a few weeks.
The way that the school really banded together to fight for Reggie's rights is such an indicator of what a community that school has. I think that the kind of brotherhood/sisterhood that the school emulates is really what all schools strive to have. In the previous chapter, Mr. Michie talks about how the school could be torn apart because of gang rivalry and things of that nature, but when it comes down to the wrong-doing to a fellow student the rest of the children seemed to forget whatever differences they had to band together and stand up together for Reggie's rights. Sometimes it takes a catastrophe to really bring a group of individuals together. One instance of this sort of community that I personally experienced was during my junior year at Fredonia. An individual came to campus carrying signs and a megaphone claiming that all homosexuals were damned to hell. I don't know if you have ever been to Fredonia, but I would say that 3/4 of our student population (if not much more) is either homosexual or friends with someone who is. Needless to say, this intruders words were not taken so well. I have never seen so many people standing together for the rights (and the sheer respect) of the individuals who consider themselves to be homosexual. (Not even at the annual "naked run"-- Rachel knows what I'm talking about =] ). Fredonia showed such a strong sense of community at that time and I like to think that even as awful as it was to have that individual be so hurtful towards so many, it really brought our student body and even faculty members together.
"You supposed to treat others the way you want to be treated.... We gotta be kind to one another." p.170 I know this quote was already used, but it is so true. Honestly, if everyone would just live by this golden rule the world would be such a wonderful place. Also, "Thumper's Rule" from the movie Bambi. "If you don't have nuffin nice to say, don't say nuffin at all." Personally, I'm really struggling with these wonderful rules in the school age class that I watch in the morning before UPK. For whatever reason there is this nasty bickering and excluding going on and no matter how many times I try to tell those particular kids to be nice to one another it just doesn't seem to get through to them. Maybe if we watch that one section from Bambi enough it'll finally get though to them!
Essence Extractor: There really are a few themes that I found in this chapter. One major theme is that when faced with catastrophe, it can really bring a group of people together. Additionally, Reggie shows that what hurts you can only make you stronger. I honestly believe that the experiences that Reggie faced in his life molded him into the young man he became at the end of the chapter.
I'm the discussion leader so I'll see you all in class!
HOLLER IF YOU HEAR ME By Gregory Michie Weaving back and forth between Michie's awakening as a teacher and the first-person stories of his students, this highly acclaimed book paints an intimate and compassionate portrait of teaching and learning in urban America. While the popular notion of what it's like to teach in city schools is dominated by horror stories and hero tales, Michie and his students reside somewhere in between these extremes - "between the miracles and the metal detectors."
Hannah- I totally understand what you mean when you referenced Fredonia and when those students were demonstrating that issue on campus! It was amazing to me as well, since there is such a large number of students that are homosexual at Fredonia. However, our Fredonia community joined together and supported one another. That instance reminds me a lot of what Reggie experienced and how his classmates and peers stood by his side and supported him through his difficult time. Even though both instances of support came out of bad situations, it just goes to show how strong a community can be and how much people care about one another when there are days we feel like we don't. -Rachel
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