A Calling Or A Paycheck… Why Not Both? (Guest Blogger: Travis Sloat)

September 30, 2016June 4, 2023 ~ Blue Cereal

I’ve issued an open call for guest bloggers for the month of October. Partly this is just to break things up, and partly it’s because I’ll be doing my best to finish strong on #OKElections16.

There are few if any limits on topic or length – I merely ask for basic decency and sincerity. It’s ideal if you disagree with me about something, but given how difficult that is to do once basking in Blue, it’s not a requirement. I’m looking for other voices – whatever the angle or passion in play.

This post comes from Travis Sloat, an English teacher at Okay High School, where he graduated in 2001 and where he once hit a game winning shot for the high school basketball team. He is a freelance journalist and photographer, a father of three, a college basketball junkie, and a lover of fine Mexican food from Taco Bell. In his minimal free time he can be found patrolling the galaxy in Destiny on his Xbox, or tweeting The Rock to try to get famous.

I was standing in front of two assistant managers, both barely five years older than I, and the words rolled off my tongue like I’d been selling used cars for twenty years.

“It doesn’t matter if I make five-fifteen or five-sixty-five, I’m going to push carts to the best of my ability.”

I wanted a merit raise, an extra fifty cents an hour, and my dad had told me to come in and ask for one, because that’s what people in the workplace did when they wanted more money. I had done exactly that, and then delivered the above answer when asked, “Will more money help you push carts better?”

The senior assistant manager—who I’d literally known my entire life—stared at me, eyes widening in surprise.

“Wow! Did you take a class on asking for a raise before you came in?” he asked.

I laughed and said, “No. That’s just how I was raised.”

I got the raise.

***

If the truth were to be told on that spring day in 1999, I was, in fact, raised that way. However, the words I spoke were hollow; empty palaver meant to please the bosses’ ears and get me an extra fifty cents an hour for slugging scalding scraps of steel shaped into shopping carts through the summer sun. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing; but the shoe is definitely on the other foot now.

Now I am a junior high English teacher, English I teacher, Yearbook Advisor, Webmaster, Bus Driver, and Proofreader of All the Things for Okay High School in the booming metropolis of Okay, Oklahoma. That’s right, Oklahoma – as in, “that state who’s 49th in the nation for lowest average teacher pay.”

I should add, I love what I do. I love my kids, and I love this town. I say this often, and I say it proudly: I will die here or I will retire here. There are no in-betweens.

I have taken this job knowing at no point in time will I ever sit in my principal’s office and say, “I’d like a raise please.” I am all too familiar with the economic climate of our state, and the horrendous mismanagement of funding at the state level. It’s not that I wouldn’t mind a raise, shoot, I could always spring for the bigger iPad, or buy my kids Lunchables so they don’t feel as though they are the most mistreated children in the world.

However, to rephrase a timeless quote from great actor JaRule in the first Fast and Furious movie: “Everyone happens to know a few things, and one of the things that we knows is: teachers don’t get (big) raises.”

So why then, am I here? Why do I walk into this building every day and choose to stand in front of junior high kids who smell like hormones and weird dreams? Why do I choose to teach them how to speak properly, but remind them it’s perfectly okay to slip a “y’all” in sometimes? Why do I make your kid put their phone away and listen to Romeo and Juliet even though they already know the ending (“We know, Mr. Sloat. They all die at the end. Wait. She was fourteen?”)?

The answer is simple and complicated at the same time, like Nicolas Cage’s success in film, and hopefully you have a similar one for why you are where you are: I had a calling.

A few years ago, I was sitting pretty at Northeastern State University, with a fantastic (mediocre) GPA and an academic plan which led to a degree in Computer Science. I wanted to be a computer engineer, sitting at a desk and making $100k a year for typing lines of code onto a screen. I wanted to wear weird socks every day, and funny, clever ties with quasi-geeky meanings and joke with my coding buddies at the water cooler about the latest in Game of Thrones Reddit threads. It seemed easy enough, and it seemed like a salary that could afford my family and I all of life’s little delicacies, like large screen iPads and Lunchables and real Mountain Dew instead of “Mountain Lightning.”

You might be asking why I gave up a potential luxurious life of name brand soda and premium cuts of deli ham with buttery crackers all packaged conveniently into one box for a life where two grown adults with college degrees and professional careers still qualify for free and reduced lunches, and I’ll tell you.

One Sunday morning I was sitting in church and I heard a sermon preached on the detriments of chasing wealth. The pastor advised us that if we chose money over our passions, we’d ultimately regret our career and we’d never truly be happy. While listening to him break down the scripture backing up the points, I realized a few things.

The most notable were that all of a sudden sitting a desk typing lines of code for forty hours a week seemed interminably boring, and that I could wear weird socks to school just as easily as to the office. So the next week I strolled into the office of a slightly annoyed registrar and changed my degree plan to Secondary English Education. To date, it’s been one of the best decisions of my life.

In a few short weeks, Oklahoma will decide whether or not to give myself and my compatriots a $5,000 raise. If they are gracious, my paycheck will still rank in the bottom half of the national average for teacher pay, but it’ll be nice surprise, mostly because my wife is a teacher too, and we’ll be doubling up on it (hello Premium Lunchables!). I’m not one of those teachers who likes to gripe about how much we do and how little we get paid to do it. That said, we need this raise.

If you’re on the fence, consider what you’re giving and what you’re getting in return. It means highly qualified teachers staying put for a few years. It means dedicated rookie teachers like me not having to worry about picking up side jobs or summer jobs. That in turn puts us in the classroom more, because as any educator can tell you, it’s not a “pack up and leave when the bell rings” job.

If enough voters decide they simply can’t be asked to fork up an extra penny here and there, that raise won’t happen. The state will then hem and haw and try to pass some other legislation that glances our way and has the appearance of trying to solve the problem, but in reality is just subterfuge and planning to get reelected. It’ll be a mess.

But you know what? I’m fine either way. I’ll show up on November 9 with a smile on my face, and I’ll teach your kids what a gerund is, how to properly use a semicolon, and I’ll even throw in an extra bit about the Oxford comma although that’s not in the state standards yet (I’m looking at you, Flores). Because it doesn’t matter if I’m making five-fifteen or five-sixty-five, I’m going to teach your kids to the best of my ability.

I love what I do. I love these kids, and I love this school. I’ll die here or retire here. There is no in between.

Blue Serials (8/14/16)

August 12, 2016June 4, 2023 ~ Blue Cereal

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They just stood there, laughing; they’re not laughing anymore.

The walls came down.

I realize the song uses the Battle of Jericho somewhat metaphorically, but here’s something to consider as we rush through these final 10 Days before #OKElections16 Primary Runoffs – the Israelites didn’t have to have the POWER to overcome the walls. They didn’t have to have the WEAPONS or the RESOURCES to overcome the opposition. And yet, despite all worldly odds, those walls DID come down.

But they DID have to DO something – they had to march. Quite a bit, actually. That, and toot their little horns at the end.

I love you, #OklaEd, but you need to get your edu-booties physically engaged and volunteer for some of these critical campaigns. Like… NOW. I’m not doing this for myself – I’m a thousand years old and with any luck will be dead soon. But there are these children scattered across the state who’ll be paying your Social Security… or not.

Volunteer that time. Make those calls. Walk those neighborhoods. If you really want, you can toot your little horns when it’s all done, too.

In the meantime, a few things you simple SHOULD NOT MISS from the world of edu-bloggery this past week or so…

Sometimes Teaching Is Difficult – This freshman post from the mysterious, new “Oklahoma Teacher” (such a quirky and creative name – wonder how they thought of it?) is about as freshly forthright as you could ask.

Despite the title, nothing here is whiny or bitter. It’s simply a rallying cry for more teachers to share their stories and raise their voices in service of the larger good. As the post says, “Public education is not failing. Teachers are not failing. Communities are not failing their schools. Our policies are failing.”

Boo-yah!

Follow @thefrustr8edT on the Tweetering and add your voice to the mix. #oklaed

The Victorian Demagogue: 19th Century Words on a Modern Day Danger – Mimi Matthews is a brilliant historian and pithy, engaging history blogger focused on all things 19th Century. Whether discussing tennis attire or cat funerals, she brings clarity and thoughfulness to subjects which may not make it into textbooks but which bring color and life to our collective past.

In this post, Matthews examines historical perceptions of those labeled “demagogues” in their own day, their character, and their impact on those under their sway. I know usually we talk about studying history to better underrstand the present, but I can’t think of anything contemporary to which this might relate at the moment… but, I mean, I’m sure it COULD happen. Someday.

Follow @MimiMatthewsESQ on the Twittering, and learn stuff. Plus, she cracks me up.

20 Things You May Not Know About Me – There are several reasons to follow Sarah Carter of Math Equals Love, most of which are mathy. She just finished, for example, a four-part series of Japanese Logic Puzzles for the Secondary Math Classroom – and made it work. Something about math people and blogging…

In any case, this post was partly chosen to bring attention to the rest of her amazing work, but mostly because the first item on the list is “I hate water chestnuts.”

That’s what Carter leads with when playing “getting to know you.” Can you imagine first dates, or parent-teacher night, or the confessional box? “I’m Sarah… I hate water chestnuts.”

*pause*

Or maybe I’m the only one quite so enamored by this. In any case, get to know @mathequalslove on the Twitters and show Carter a little math. (See what I did there?) #oklaed

Symbols & Context – This one is from earlier in the summer, but makes for fascinating reading nonetheless. L.Z. Marie of Fiction Flirts With Fact is a writer and educator who blogs regularly about the tools of the trade.

Here, she’s compiled some of her best posts about using Setting, Direction, Biblical Allusions, Shapes, Architecture, and a dozen of other elements to make your writing richer and your themes more compelling. If for some reason you’re NOT writing a novel, I assure you this is an enlightening and engaging read anyway.

Heck, it’s even a downloadable PDF for those of you who might find it a helpful classroom resource.

I confess I’m something of a fanboy of Marie’s since I checked out the first book in her ‘Merkabah’ series – you know, just to see what it was like. I was immediately hooked and devoured the second book as well. The nearly one-year delay before this third one became available was… OMG. I hate to lose my street cred, but it was a long, painful wait. So, you know, if you read and stuff…

Follow @LZMarieAuthor on the Twitters. She’s good, and she’s good for you.

Mattering Every Day! – I don’t really DO positive or caring, but I’m smart enough to hang out with those who do, and who do it so very well.

Rob Miller of A View From The Edge is one of the most legit when it comes to the warm fuzzies. He’s never delusional, and rarely particularly rainbow-and-unincorn-ed. He does, however, know how to put things into perspective – even if that means a little motivational brilliance, like this.

Follow @edgeblogger on the Twittering and get wise and warm REGULARLY. #oklaed

This last video needs very little explanation for any of you who’ve been following events in #OKElections16. It says much when the people who know you best, believe in you the most. Thank you Angela Little for loving your kids enough to get involved, and to take the heat for speaking truth to wanna-be-power. And thank you for loving ALL of our kids enough to stay right where you are doing exactly what you do, with style and grace. #oklaed

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Blue Serials (8/7/16)

August 6, 2016June 4, 2023 ~ Blue Cereal

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Effect & Cause

The Powers-That-Be seems to have confused “cause” and “effect” recently. As the ominously-uttered (with-background-music-in-a-minor-key) “Teacher Caucus” struggles forward, trying to save our students and our sanity – not necessarily in that order – entrenched power has begun hammering a narrative in which we sorta sprang out of nowhere, determined to cause trouble. Presumably we simply have a hankerin’ for discord and a little time to kill – us not having real jobs and all.

My favorite part is how we’re all so greedy and wasteful… and the more they hack away at basic resources, the greedier and more wasteful we seem to be.

Here’s a little tip for the angry elves – we hate politics. We all have cooler things we’d rather blog about, and better uses for our $100 contributions here and there – pathetic as they may be compared to your out-of-state fiscal overlords. Given the choice, I’d probably go back to things just mostly sucking several years ago and ride it out as best I could, focused on my kids and my workshops and periodic bursts of issue-specific ranting.

But you just had to keep hacking away to please They-Who-Must-Not-Be-Taxed, didn’t you? And you broke it all. Then you doubled down and broke it all more, on principle – because the more you break it, the more ‘freedom’ and ‘prosperity’ is apparently happening.

And we’re the danger to innocents across the state? Really?

Still, there have been some powerful moments in the midst of the inanity. While I can’t possibly do justice to the edu-bloggery proffered from #oklaed and beyond since the conclusion of the last school year, here are a few which you simply SHOULD NOT MISS…

Failure – Scott Haselwood on Teaching From Here isn’t the first to highlight the importance of reframing how we think about “failure,” but this is one of the best pieces I’ve read on the subject. No diatribes on “grit,” pro or con – just honesty and reflection. Remember when we used to do that in order to get better?

Follow @teachfromhere on the Twitters to experience even more failure!

Wait, that didn’t come out right… #oklaed

The Growth Mindset Initiative – Amanda Smith on Running Through Elementary talks about helping students press through the struggle, academically or otherwise. Like any good revival meeting, some of the thoughts are familiar, but expressed in fresh, clear, introspective prose.

Writing like this makes me want to be a better teacher.

This is not an argument about Dweckian this-or-that, just a simple reminder that the words we use mattter, and that kids are smarter and more capable than they think they are. More than we sometimes think they are.

Be smarter and more capable by getting Twitterized with @runnningthruelem. #oklaed

Dear Target Mom – Meghan Loyd on For The Love recounts an inexplicably hostile encounter with a parent while shopping. While the mother’s behavior is atypical, it pulls back the curtain on so much of the underlying frustration and misunderstanding over budgets and funding and the plethora of miscellany which teachers (and parents, and many others) juggle on a daily basis.

The teacher isn’t the “bad guy,” but neither is the mom – we’re being played and pointed towards one another while handed pointed sticks and bangy rocks. Don’t bum-fight for the powerful.

Follow @meghanloyd on the Twittering and her non-edu-bloggery on The Oddesey Online. #oklaed

The Proof Is In The Paycheck – Mindy Dennison on This Teacher Sings instigated a unexpurgated kerfuffle when she wrote about her paycheck recently – in part, perhaps, because she included the entire check stub without black boxes or edits. She avoided all the usual teacher martyrdom rhetoric, and merely explained the key items on her pay stub and compared them to a neighboring state.

People lost their $#%&. It was weird.

It’s the second of Dennison’s posts to go completely viral. Imagine what she could do if she focused on farme and publishing deals instead of just trying to educate and enlighten her kids… tsk tsk.

Follow @MrsDSings on the Twitters and see what other trouble she causes. #oklaed

Finally, Oklahoma Policy Institute has compiled what they’re calling An Oklahoma Agenda for Broad-Based Prosperity.

For any of you feeling a bit overwhelmed by arguments over tax policy, statistics, needs, wants, and values, OKPolicy.org is probably the best all around source for presenting complicated issues clearly and with lots of visual aids.

I know we sometimes wish it would all just go away, but the first step towards change is being armed with understanding. They’ve even broken it into Part One and Part Two to make it less intimidating.

Now go read it, dammit.

I know these are tiring times, my darlings – but you must choose to believe. This is your state, these are your kids, and this is your calling.

Boo-yah.

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How Power Confronts Dissent

July 29, 2016June 4, 2023 ~ Blue Cereal

Note: I’m writing this post in response to circumstances of which I’m a part, but it’s not really about me. I’m living the dream and daily thankful for the support of the #11FF and beyond.

I confess that I’m developing a certain defensiveness, however, on behalf of others who have done far more good than myself and pay a greater ongoing price for daring to question power. If, after reading this, you wish to express dissent, please direct it to me. If you’re interested in offering support, please offer it to them.

It seems the proverbial “teacher caucus” has ruffled a few entrenched feathers here and there across the state. That’s a good sign – it means we’re vocal enough that the powers-that-be are concerned. They don’t all represent the same sorts of power – some already hold office, while others have social sway or the backing of the usual slew of out-of-state fiscal overlords.

A few are all-of-the-above.

The means of their pushback, however, are a lesson in how power responds to dissent – especially when that power is unable or unwilling to simply silence or crush the dissenters. As a history teacher I can’t help but look for larger themes – it’s a change and continuity over time thing, I’m afraid.

So I command every student under my sway this July (all zero of you) to pull up a chair and prepare to be indoctrinated as we explore the tactics utilized, in hopes we might become more aware of these same themes when expressed elsewhere in history or across our lives.

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The most glaring element of the backlash so far, and the one I found most surprising (although there’s no reason it should have been), is that power rarely addresses the actual substance or specifics of the dissent.

I’ve been called names and assigned nefarious roles (“spewing antichrist venom” is by far my favorite, although “vitriol and obscenities” is still golden). My writing has been criticized in general ways, but without reference to any particular POINT those expressing their horror consider incorrect.

In other words, I literally can’t get anyone to tell me – in the midst of their sputtering outrage – what they think I got wrong. It’s really rather bizarre.

Each time I’ve become aware of a candidate or associated minions protesting that they’ve been misconstrued, or at least misunderstood, I’ve reached out to them with offers of adding their comments to my original post, or letting them write their own. If nothing else, tell me which parts I need to correct.

I mean, I may be a bit snarky, but I do try to get my facts straight.

So far, a total of zero have ever taken me up on that offer.

The OPE list of candidate recommendations (i.e., the ‘Apple List’) created quite a stir as well. Numerous candidates, when the list was first posted, contacted members of this vulgar cabal of ours to ask if perhaps they, too, might be considered for an ‘apple’. I replied to several, as did others, with the exact same guidelines we used for everyone else.

Keep in mind, there are a LOT of people running for office this time around. There are more candidates than there are countries in the world, and that’s AFTER last month’s primaries shaved the total significantly.

Many of these political hopefuls responded professionally, some even politely, and the list evolved a bit as new information was added and new arguments considered. That’s how the academic world is supposed to work – you present a position with your supporting evidence, it’s challenged with new evidence, and over time the position is refined.

There are always a few, however, simply unable or unwilling to go to such trouble. They then become the most vocal complainers without ever addressing the simplest heart of the issue – do they meet or have they attempted to establish their qualifications to be on the list?

Even if they don’t lead with it, you’d think it would at least come up at some point in their tirades, yes? But not so much.

Which. Specific. Part. Do. You. Think. Is. Incorrect?

The second element of the backlash worth noting is the prominence of innuendo and suspicion cast on the dissenters – again completely without reference to the content of the dissent.

Rick Cobb has opinions! Horrifying words about things using descriptors and tone! And he works for a SCHOOL! How is that ALLOWED?!

Rob Miller disagreed with ME about something! And he’s within 100 yards of young people almost ALL DAY LONG! Is there no GOD?!

It’s a given at this point that anyone whose panties are in righteous wad over anything #oklaed-ish will immediately decry our right to have social or political opinions outside the school day. We are corrupt, brainwashing potentates using our positions of power and influence over young people to steer them into godless socialism and sexual deviancy.

If only I could use this same dominance to get them to do their assigned reading once in a while.

Corporations have a right to unlimited fiscal control of political speech. Churches may preach political advocacy as part and parcel of the very Word of God. State funds, collected from citizens of all makes and models, should be funneled into further isolating and uber-educating the chosen offspring of upper-middle-class evangelicals. And of course, a granite monument to the days of Christ-less wrath and judgment simply MUST secure a permanent home on Capitol grounds as a warning to those who remain.

But those public school teachers who think we should vote to protect public education, well – that’s just crossing some lines! We don’t pay them the lowest salary in the nation to think or care, dammit! Opinions are for people with real jobs, like pastors or legislators.

At no point does power actually argue with anything we’re saying, you understand; it instead perpetually seethes that we claim the right to say anything at all.

The third element common to power’s assault on dissent is the targeting of those thought to be most individually vulnerable. I’m bemused more than distraught at what various demagogues or ideologues have to say about me. (Honestly, I thought they’d have done better by now.) Others in the mix have been doing this so long they’ve developed an immunity to most of the reindeer games.

But power likes to intimidate without overtly threatening. Take the purely hypothetical example of a car parked across the street from a single mom every night for two weeks, beginning the day she’s announced as “Undesirable #1” on several groups’ “enemies lists.” The unknown occupant merely watches without ever approaching her door. No laws have been broken, no threats issued – but she stops letting her kids play outside. She worries about her pets while she’s at work. She’s strong, but she feels it.

I know it sounds rather melodramatic, but power likes where it is. Power believes it has a right to be there, and you don’t. Power claims the moral high ground, and from way up there can hardly be held to the same rules as us commoners.

Finally, power strikes and retreats into its own little “safe zones.” The accusations and innuendo don’t come in the comment sections of our blogs or other publicly accessible sites. They circulate in the protected corners of their own echo-chambers, where none may challenge them. Occasionally it leaks out through an incontinent editorial or summons a fauxlicious press conference, but mostly it inbreeds and deforms as it grows less and less coherent.

Most of us welcome clarification, explanation, even disagreement. Instead, power hides and blocks and accuses. It’s really rather nasty sometimes. It’s like we all woke up as recurring minor characters on guilty pleasure T.V.

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So here’s my open challenge, or offer, or whatever you wish to call it (although it’s really not new at all):

If you think I’m mistaken about a candidate, or a sitting legislator, or a policy position, you are welcome to comment on the relevant post. As long as you’re not obscene or threatening to anyone, I won’t censor or delete it. If you need a longer format, I’ll give you a guest blog slot. Share what’s on your mind. Again, you’ll have to moderate yourself in terms of overt ugliness towards those I hold dear, but you’re welcome to criticize me all you like or the ‘teacher caucus’ as an entity to your darkened heart’s content.

I’d prefer to limit this to state issues and state candidates unless you persuade me otherwise. I’ve already let myself get too sidetracked by national madness and it makes me tired, and with far less to show for it.

Of course, those of you who agree with me are welcome to do the same. The only difference is, you’d be allowed to include clip art.

Otherwise – and I mean this sincerely…

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Appreciation (A Post About Thanks and Adding Value)

July 22, 2016June 4, 2023 ~ Blue Cereal

It’s a tough stretch for much of #oklaed and those in whom we’ve invested our recent energies.

Primaries seem like so long ago, runoffs are still a month away, and the general elections… oh dear, the general elections.

The Republican National Convention has been a mess so far, and there’s no telling what its Democratic counterpart will be like. Nationally, the ‘Right’ openly despises us while the ‘Left’ suddenly wants to befriend educators over edreformers. Do we run to the guy who beats us or trust the one who keeps cheating on us?

Locally, animosity over policies and posts has spilled offscreen as the provocative becomes personal and the political, omnipresent. I’ve unwittingly conflagrated several one-on-one conversations as I let tone trump substance and forget that the argument is never more important than the person.

Sorry, J.B.

Privately, I hear again and again how whipped people feel – teachers, administrators, parents, bloggers, advocates, candidates… even sitting legislators. It’s not quite despair, but it’s certainly not some new form of radiant hope.

Teachers are stressed as back-to-school nears, and the realities of larger classes, fewer resources, and a haunting lack of actual clarity about just what’s expected THIS year hover over its approach. There’s something… taunting about the realization that – once again – new end-of-instruction tests are being proposed and new guidelines for ‘The Annual Shaming’ via A-F School Report Cards are being introduced and OMG-what-exactly-were-we-fighting-for-how-is-this-new?

Of course, such things seem petty in light of mad loners shooting our best, power continuing to abuse our weakest, and rationalization and cognitive dissonance stamping out the last bases for a “national conversation.” Different lives matter only to specific groups of people, and language is chosen to obscure intent so we don’t have to be honest even with ourselves about the true states of our hearts and minds.

Also, it’s hot. Like, Africa hot. Tarzan couldn’t take this kind of hot.

Still, I believe.

I’d like to take a moment and appreciate what many of you are doing, and how you’re doing it. I’d like to add a different perspective for those of you struggling with your own at the moment. And I’d like to point out an increase in value. An increase in hope, and quality, and style – because of you.

Thank you, so very much, to all of you who ran in hopes of improving our collective situation and came up short in your party’s primaries this season. Your efforts made a statement, and your words and your handshakes and your time made a difference. We may not see it all yet, but you cast your bread upon the water and it will come back, even if it takes many, many days.

You spent your time and money and put yourselves out there, drawing questions and criticisms and sometimes mocking disbelief that you’d even dare think you could make a difference.

I want to assure you that you have, and that you still are, and that anyone who says otherwise is either lying or wrong on an epic scale. And I’m right about this.

Thank you, so very much, to those of you still running – in whatever party – in the sincere conviction that we can do better, and that we don’t have to marginalize, segregate, or bully our way into prosperity for a few at the expense of the whole. You’re still in it, but sometimes secretly envy those you defeated in June – the ones who’ve gone back to their ‘real lives.’

Thank you for sacrificing yourselves and the comfort and security of your families and friends for the good of the rest of us. It matters. It matters whether you win or not, and it matters even if we don’t always agree with you on every little thing. You’ve thrown yourself into the breach, and we cheer you wildly. Illegitimi non carborundum!

Of course we want you to win – it’s something that colors every conversation and nags at every day for me. But even if you don’t, your voice has had and will continue to have an impact. Your efforts are not and will not be in vain. The results we can count and see are important, but they’re only part of the story. Faith, I’m told, is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Have faith in what you’re doing.

Thank you, so very much, to those of you advocating on your blogs and on social media and in the press and through personal messages. I write about candidates and positions and like to think that I play a role, but I’m humbled and amazed by colleagues and peers who share their hopes, their fears, their experiences – even their pay stubs – in hopes it will make an issue a bit clearer or a position somewhat more relatable.

I’ll let the rest of you in on a blogger secret – we value and appreciate the kind words, the shares, even the respectful clarifications or disagreements… but we feel the venom and the vitriol sent our way, no matter how small a percentage of the whole. It follows you into those moments just before sleep or jumps you while you’re showering yourself into consciousness the next morning.

Your mind knows the importance of perspective, but your inner dialogues doesn’t want to let that scab heal sometimes.

OK, not me so much. I actually find the abusive feedback dynamic rather bizarre. But the less dysfunctional, more emotionally stable bloggers and advocates, with perspective and souls and better tastes in entertainment – many of them feel it more deeply than you’d think. And I love them, and I thank them. The blogs, the Facebook posts, the candidate lists – the work they do, and the knowledge they share. I adore them.

Thank you, so very much, to those of you who disagree with grace and style. You speak and write to a mutually-defensive group not always known for receiving constructive criticism well, but you speak up anyway because you care about truth. Thank you to those of you who risk backlash because you believe reality is an essential ally to meaningful improvement. Some of you are quite funny, which makes pretty much anything palatable as far as I’m concerned, while others are simply well-spoken and sincere. How do you DO that?

God forbid we ever deteriorate to the point we merely echo one another, broken up only by periodic pats on the back. Thank you for your blunt-but-gracious dissent, and for establishing a tone of mutual respect – the maintenance of which it then becomes our obligation to maintain.

You make me want to think more clearly, and write more gooder. You prompt me to check my attitude – especially when I’m on what I believe to be a righteous tear. Gracious but reasoned dissent forces all of us to become better thinkers.

Once, I even realized I was wrong about something. Not that we want to always go THAT far.

Take care during this stretch of mortal plodding. Stay cool, and drink plenty of water. Love someone it’s hard to love and say something nice to someone annoying.You amaze me, people. You make my part of the walk so much better, and this fallen world slightly more tolerable.

Thank you.

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