EDUCATION IS A COMMUNITY THING.

Back in January I posted a blog, Just One Little Word, about a controversy swirling around the teaching of Mark Twain’s masterpiece, Huckleberry Finn. In response I received a very gracious comment from C. J. Peiffer, an artist and writer in Pennsylvania. How cool is that? I sit in my comfy-chair spilling out my thoughts, such as they are, to people all over the world, and if they are kind enough to do so, they can take the time to write a very encouraging and enlightening note. How cool is that? Of course, if Mark Twain were here he would have some wry and witty comment to make about the Internet but, after worming my way into the same paragraph with this comic genius I find, How cool is that?, is all I have to say. Well, even a cat can look at a king.

In her comment C. J. tells of a project she was part of aimed at teaching Huck Finn to middle school students (junior high), in spite of the oft repeated N-word. They did it by raising the scope and profile of the project, creating an entire unit around the book and making it an occasion for teaching history, art, music, science and drama. They rather than suppressing the N-word they promoted serious discussion of it and the problem of racism. And they involved parents by inviting them to a meeting to discuss their concerns. No one showed up, which might cause someone to suggest that all this effort was unnecessary, but I expect it indicates that the real concern parents have about these sorts of things is that they will be marginalized and ignored. It’s amazing how much trust and good will we have for people who respect and involve us.

And herein lies a host of great lessons:

1. Fighting back or withdrawing are often the only alternatives we consider when a project we believe in encounters resistance, On many occasions, however, what we really need to do is press in. By this I mean, continue to pursue our goals in such a way as to involve those who are concerned.
2. People have every right to resist, especially when something we are doing reaches into their personal or family life in a significant way. We need to value what they have to say, even if it upsets us or we feel we will disagree.
3. People generally have good reasons for concern, if only from their own perspective. When we accept and acknowledge them we often find that this is really all they want.
4. We learn more form our opponents than from those with whom we already agree. Regardless how bright or right we are, we cannot see all sides of anything at once. If we foster discussion and debate we may be amazed at what we learn.

The project C. J. Peiffer describes is an example of great teaching, Schools are among the most important institutions in any community but as such they need to involve the community. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child.