When I was teaching I would always read parts Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech to my 3rd grade class. ( If you have never read it click here to do so). While I do not do it justice, I felt it was important for the students to hear his powerful words.
Well several days after reading it one year, I was visited by a parent who had some concerns about some things his son said I said that were offensive.
He proceeded to tell me that I had said negros.
I was aghast. I did not call people negros.
I did, however, begin apologizing and explaining that I did not recall saying any such thing and that if in the future his son is hurt by something I say to please encourage him to come to me.
Then the light bulb went off!
The speech!
I told him this and that I had told the students the language used then is different than we use now. I also told him that I felt Dr. King's speech was such an important piece of history with such meaningful words. Words and meaning that we all need to be reminded of not just on MLK Day but everyday.
This is when he blushed,
told me I was beautiful,
turned,
and walked down the hall.
I did not see him again that school year.
1 comment:
that's funny!
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