Posted in Writing Prompts

The Sunday Whirl 579- Baker’s Dozen-Debating Kids’ Futures

spin, creep, loom, whirl, crack, light, grip, stain, curl, glimpse, slack, lord, wonder

I caught a glimpse of my archrival in the crowd and felt like I wanted to curl my ‘tail’ between my legs and light out of the auditorium. The Superintendent and I had had an indelible ‘stain‘ on our pretense of mutual respect since our unfortunate heated confrontation months ago.
“Get a grip!” was my brain’s immediate response.
“That ‘creep‘ can’t crack your confidence unless you let her.”

I then whispered to myself as I bowed in a moment of prayer, “Lord, please don’t let me defeat myself today. This is for the kids.”

The debate was about to start, and the whirl of noise began to settle as we took our seats on the stage.
After a brief introduction by the event organizer, we were called upon to present our cases on the topic of Homeschooling vs Public School.

My job was going to be extra difficult because of the venue itself. There’s no need to wonder about the uphill battle in presenting an argument in front of professionals eyeing me with furrowed brows from the audience. I’d call that a looming pressure. If I couldn’t effectively appeal to these people who are holding their own pre-conceived preferences, they’d easily ‘spin‘ my ‘points’ as proof of Public Schooling superiority.

All we disenchanted parents wanted was the freedom to choose without governmental regulatory interference.

When my turn came, I brought out the BIG guns first.

” You all know the first woman on our esteemed Supreme Court. Sandra Day O’Connor was a brilliant legal scholar, a pioneer in breaking down professional barriers to women, and the product of early homeschooling. Thomas Edison and Theodore Roosevelt spent their whole young lives being homeschooled too.”

It was then that the Superintendent’s defiant face and pursed lips went slack.



https://sundaywhirl.wordpress.com/2022/11/20/wordle-579-a-bakers-dozen/

Posted in Writing Prompts

SoCS February 6, 2021~Flag~

It was a huge “red flag”!
Jen had just overheard her 13 year old son say. ” I shouldn’t say because I have “white privilege.”.
WHAT?
He was responding to a teacher in one of his remote online classes. She hadn’t ever discussed that concept with him so she immediately wondered where that insane comment came from?
Jen worked her way over to his desk and listened to the lesson. It was an online gym class. Yes, there is such a thing.
The instructor held two photos: one of a poor black inner city kid and one of a well -dressed white male with a suburban background. His next question to the Zoom class was now audible. “Now, are you sure that you understand “institutional racism”?”.
Jen felt her face flush with anger. Her son, with a look of horror, tried to bat her hand away from the unmute button.
“Excuse me? What are you filling my son’s head with and WHAT does that have to do with gym class?!”
The stunned instructor didn’t answer at first. After an awkward pause, he replied, ” It’s what I have been instructed to do. No offense. We think this is important.”
“WE?! Who is this “we”?
“The state education board ma’am. They create the curriculum.”
The next day, Jen took her son to the local gym. There, he had an actual gym class. Followed by a history, math, and writing exercise approved by the supreme filter of a social, moral, and truthful education… a homeschooling parent.
The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Feb. 6, 2021 | (lindaghill.com)