Pittsburgh, PA: Election fatigue

Amanda Parrotte

You only need to check the most recent words added to our Mind Map to understand that, with fifteen days to go, there is a malaise setting in. Yesterday morning was the physical and chronological half way mark of my trip.  Now as I head west, it is increasingly challenging to find a pulse.  Is it the rain? the region? the all night bus ride?

Shayne, Von J, Bobby Barnes…  I miss you.

I am reminded of Elie Wiesel’s famous quote ‘The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.’.  But it is the entire quote that truly captures the encompassing nature of apathy.  The complete quote reads,

‘The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.’

While I may be an eternal optimist, I believe this will pass.  In the interim, today I met Amanda Parrotte.  A teacher in a private school here in Pittsburgh, Amanda’s thoughtful consideration and unique perspective were a breath of fresh air.

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Comments

Pittsburgh, PA: Election fatigue — 6 Comments

  1. I disagree that we can’t study democracy in public school. We do it all the time. I find my students eager for that discussion. What we cannot do is endorse and I think that is fair. What better way to teach criticL thinking than through election politics. Soooo much fun. Missing u Julie. Glad youre on your way home. Go giants!!

    • I think what Amanda’s comment is not in conflict with yours. A public school can teach about parties (or religions, for that matter), but if the presentation is not inclusive and balanced, it could be taken as the endorsement (or condemnation) you mention. Sounds like a tough line to walk, and I can see why a school might avoid it, especially if that school is weak on just the basic curriculum.

      I’m glad that your class pursues it. Definitely enriching!

  2. Hi, Julie! What route are you taking back? North? Is there time for a spur into southern Ontario to see what the Canadians say?

  4. Hopefully a significant number of students will witness our president exhibiting his positive and persuasive self-tonight. Hard to believe there is a single engaged human being in this country that does not know how she or he is going to vote. Hard to believe that a country of some 330 million people is so enamored with sound bites and TV advertising. We seem to live in a nation with a very short memory!!!!!