A Whole New World

Today I've decided that I will no longer refer to myself as an English teacher.

Yes, I earned certification in 2009 and have, until recently, taught since then; additionally the maternal side of my family is LOADED with all kinds of professionals in the field of education, so there's a genetic disposition, as well. My favorite thing about teaching is the students, without question. I love to see their faces light up when they make connections, understand something that had confused them forever, or realize that they can experience a whole new world with this awesome ability...

(was this song written about ENGLISH??? yes, I'm a little dramatic, but it popped into my head SO...)

For me, it comes down to what everything always comes down to for me: Love.

I love the English language. I love the versatility, the power because it's spoken in so many places around the world, the adaptability, the WORDS (so many!!!), and the subtleties and implied meaning that color its magnificent superiority for contextualized,  individual expression.

The downside is that there is a common belief that English represents the white, white, West. This belief is strong, even though English is one of the official languages in many countries that are not majority white and decidedly not in Europe or North America!

Of course, colonial history plays a role.  I do not downplay or ignore the adverse impacts of past (and present) indoctrination efforts based on myths of cultural superiority, but I'm talking about potential. I'm talking about opportunities. I'm talking about ownership. I'm talking about empowerment. The English language empowers.

Not only does speaking English as a second language look good on a college application, but it allows a person to build relationships with people from around the world, it opens the door to a vast library of new information, and it's flexible enough to be contextualized; maintaining the integrity of the culture in which its used. Pronunciation is rarely an issue; native speakers have different accents and dialects, idiomatic expressions and implied meanings. Most of all, the English language is a living, growing, and evolving entity that is forever changing to meet the needs of the millions of users around the world. English is truly an international language.

It's rather obvious, then, that I love the English language.

But I'm not an English teacher. I don't have a set syllabus that I use for classes. My lesson plans aren't in ready-reference binders on a book shelf. I have to look up grammar rules faster than my students. I can't really remember what a dangling participle is and I surely can't diagram a sentence. But I know the power of the language and I know how to use it effectively.

So, starting today. I'm not calling myself an English teacher anymore. From now on, I am an

English Language Enrichment Advisor

(...or E.L.E.A., for a nice, "POP-y" sound bite)

Many people around the world begin learning English at a very young age by professionally trained teachers who teach grammar rules and all the foundational matters necessary to begin a life of speaking English. What they sometimes miss is the empowerment. The joy. The whole new world that becomes accessible to them through their new English skills. I've decided that's going to be my job.

I know English grammar. I can correct sentences, explain concepts and steer a student in the right direction, but more importantly, I can share the keys to the library; implied meaning, literature (!), introduce critical thinking skills and academic writing concepts, as well as to build confidence in speaking and expression. 

English is less representative of a country or perceived ethnicity, but more about expression, relationships and even innovation. It is truly a global language for everybody. 

And I want to share the love.

Feminist, Traditionalist or...Humanist?

I always considered myself to be a feminist, even if I hate labels, just because I believe we are strong, we are legitimate, we have multifaceted characters, and we have the right to equal pay for equal work. And I don't need anybody to do anything for me that I can't do myself. More pointedly, I guess if I follow the sentiments of Rebecca West , I am most definitely a feminist:

"I myself have never been able to find out what feminism is; I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute."

Perhaps I am a bit of a traditionalist, though, too. I believe that a mother should love and nurture her child or children, I believe that a wife should honor her husband, and I believe that when we choose to have a family, or a career, or both, we should do our very best. All the time.

I do not believe, under any circumstance, that it is ok for a mother to hit her offspring.
I do not believe that a woman should pretend to be weak to get sympathy, assistance, or anything.
I do not believe that a woman should intentionally harm another human being; male, female, child, friend - anybody.

I believe in love.
I believe in faith.
I believe in confidence.
I believe in treating each person as an individual; with gifts, characteristics and beliefs specific to who he or she is as a human being, regardless of "group" membership or labels.
I believe that we have a responsibility to "take the high road", to think beyond our own limited experiences and to share kindness randomly, freely and with no expectation of anything in return.

When I was younger, I used to think that women were inherently better than men; more thoughtful, more capable, having a greater capacity for good.

I was wrong. Just like men, women are human beings. None of us - of any group, gender or identification -  is inherently better than anybody else.

Women can be evil. Men can be compassionate. Truly. We can all feel pain and we can all inflict it, albeit the manners of such can be different.

Domestic abuse has always been a big issue for me. Like many other people, the pictures of battered faces and bodies of female victims have sickened and angered me at the same time.

Physical abuse is the more obvious kind of domestic violence and it is horrific, tragic and evil.

Emotional abuse is less obvious because the battered body parts are on the inside rather than out. But believe me, the damage is no less severe.

Emotional abuse is no less painful. No less harmful. And the kicker is that anybody can master it. Small people, big people, women, men. Anybody.

We can all get sidetracked into believing that the only "real" abuse is physical violence against women.

We need to develop an awareness that abuse can take many forms and have many lingering effects.

Men and children can be the victims of an emotionally abusive woman just as quickly as a woman can be the victim of an abusive man.

It's just harder to see. Harder to catch.

And often harder to understand, especially when we tacitly believe that women are kinder, gentler people.

Because it's taken me a while to put the pieces together and develop an awareness, it seems to be that I'm not a feminist at all, nor am I a traditionalist.

I believe in basic human rights for all people. Adults and children. Everywhere. Does that mean I'm a humanist?

I'm glad I don't like labels because I don't want to figure that one out!

I believe that every human being has the right to be loved, to be treated with respect and kindness.
I believe that it is never right to raise a hand against another person. (I'm still struggling with that if someone hits me first...I'm not too sure I'd be able to turn the other cheek...)
I believe that no one is inherently better than another person, especially for attributes outside of one's control such as gender, race, ethnicity, age, nationality.

The downside of all this is that I have to admit that women can be as cruel as men were thought to be.
And so does everybody else.