Husky Redux
I started back at University of Washington to try to complete my BA. It's gonna be a struggle bus, but I will be working with Disability Resources to get accommodations in place to support me, and will take as long as I need, should full time be too onerous. I'm going for a BA in Foundations of Teaching with a minor in American Sign Language.
I started my first class this summer, just to get used to the commute and re-familiarize myself with a campus that is SO the same and SO different in the decades I've been away. I am by far the oldest, which isn't a surprise, of course. I was in college by the time my teacher was born, for example. No, it doesn't bother me in the least, but it is an interesting view from my chair.
The kids in the class are pretty damn rad, and being in a class that is discussing diversity and identity in education, I am getting to see how attitudes and understanding has evolved over my lifetime. They still have a lot of work to do to dismantle previous generations' and their parents' harmful messages, especially the ones who grew up in very traditional households (Asian and Indian kids have a lot of stories to unpack when we have group discussions), and I am so impressed with the emotional maturity and broader mindset they are working hard to cultivate.
One of the terms we are learning to use is "politics of location"--that where we are, both physically and socially, shape our view on the world. I marveled today, aloud with my discussion group, at how lucky we are to live in a time and place where we can have these hard discussions with one another, and feel safe to do so. These spaces were already sometimes hard to find, and it will get harder in the coming years. I shared with them that the person you want to be will attract some people toward you and repel others away. Finding your people is so key.
As I look at these classmates, some of whom haven't found their people yet, I am reminded how blessed I am that I have. You all. You all who validate me and challenge me, and make me feel motivated and empowered to be the best citizen of the world--and my own life!!--that I can be.
Thanks for being MY people. I love you guys.
Photo: white woman in a blue shirt, with wildly colorful hair and yellow sunglasses, leaning on the bronze statue of Dubs, the UW Huskies mascot. Like ya do.
I started my first class this summer, just to get used to the commute and re-familiarize myself with a campus that is SO the same and SO different in the decades I've been away. I am by far the oldest, which isn't a surprise, of course. I was in college by the time my teacher was born, for example. No, it doesn't bother me in the least, but it is an interesting view from my chair.
The kids in the class are pretty damn rad, and being in a class that is discussing diversity and identity in education, I am getting to see how attitudes and understanding has evolved over my lifetime. They still have a lot of work to do to dismantle previous generations' and their parents' harmful messages, especially the ones who grew up in very traditional households (Asian and Indian kids have a lot of stories to unpack when we have group discussions), and I am so impressed with the emotional maturity and broader mindset they are working hard to cultivate.
One of the terms we are learning to use is "politics of location"--that where we are, both physically and socially, shape our view on the world. I marveled today, aloud with my discussion group, at how lucky we are to live in a time and place where we can have these hard discussions with one another, and feel safe to do so. These spaces were already sometimes hard to find, and it will get harder in the coming years. I shared with them that the person you want to be will attract some people toward you and repel others away. Finding your people is so key.
As I look at these classmates, some of whom haven't found their people yet, I am reminded how blessed I am that I have. You all. You all who validate me and challenge me, and make me feel motivated and empowered to be the best citizen of the world--and my own life!!--that I can be.
Thanks for being MY people. I love you guys.
Photo: white woman in a blue shirt, with wildly colorful hair and yellow sunglasses, leaning on the bronze statue of Dubs, the UW Huskies mascot. Like ya do.
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