Demonstrations and Learning

As we gathered in our classroom tonight, thousands of people marched in solidarity with Las Damas de Blanco.  We thought about canceling class but instead opted to teach/learn in solidarity with the demonstrators and those struggling for human rights.

Tonight's class deepened our exploration of our desire to be free, to choose, to live life outside of the constraints of a philosophy or political system that would deny our ability to live life to our fullest potential.  We did this as we first looked at a religious text from Deuteronomy 22.  (I took out the biblical reference and asked you to theorize the source of the text.  Most of the class guessed it was a text from the Koran.)  Our discussion about religion and tradition was insightful and critical.

So the march went on around us and we watched Osama.  The film depicts the struggle of women under the Taliban; it also reminds us of the suffering that comes when a society falls prey to any form of totalitarianism.  And we remembered the women in Cuba, struggling to see themselves and their loved ones free from the oppression of a political system that aims to destroy the human spirit by imposing itself completely through force and intimidation.

What we did tonight and do in our classroom--reading, writing, and watering the seeds of knowledge--is a most potent response to the violation of human rights in Cuba, Afghanistan, and everywhere men fail to recognize human dignity and freedom.

Homework

• Write a four paragraph response to the film and how it relates to the efforts by women in Cuba.  Turn in your work here by next Thursday's class.
• Work on completing any missing lab work.

*We will not meet face to face next week.  Turn your work in on-line.