Zach's comment on my "Disappointment" blog made me ponder...do I place too much faith in this class, trusting that we will act like civilized human beings? It's true--what we share in here could definitely be used against us, could come back to haunt us. But I believe in this class. I believe in our ability to listen to each other and, underneath everything, see that the person sharing those words wants the same thing that we all want--for someone to listen to us. Not the "us" that we show the world outside room 33, but the "us" that writing helps us actually reveal. I fully believe that writing allows you to lift weights off your shoulders; sharing your story helps others see that they are not alone. Both of these take great courage. This is not a class for wimps.
I know several people have already faced judgment, have already had their hearts torn at a bit by missteps made by classmates (sharing stories outside class, getting judgmental looks, etc.). But no one in this class is perfect, so should anyone have the right to judge? I've never taken drugs, but I know that I've made plenty of other mistakes--so if a person shares about regretting drug use, I can't sit back and think, "oh, what an idiot," because I've been there. Not in the exact same situation, but sitting on my own throne of mistakes. We've all sat on it, we've all been the king/queen of idiocy. Someone else's story may not match yours exactly, but we all travel the same plot line.
Perhaps that's what connects us. This idea that, even though we've made our share of mistakes, we can overcome them and rise to be something better. And I believe that we'll help each other do that through this class. I believe that we'll help each other become something better by listening. By changing our judgments into encouragement. By questioning if our first reaction to someone's piece is the right reaction. By never assuming and, instead, listening open-mindedly.
Yes, I do have a lot of trust in you guys, in us. But I have to. It is the only way this class, as it's designed to be, will flourish. Every day we walk the tightrope, every day could be the day someone gossips or judges, every day the class could tumble over the edge. But I'm right up there with you. Because that's the only place to be, as a teacher, as a writer, as a person. We're all in this together.
I judge sometimes but, not all the time. Plus, I forget half of what I hear in Creative writing anyway cus, all the stories are on one subject so, they just blend in my mind with other things that I think about.
ReplyDeletei agree with everything you said in there no one is prefect and everyone makes mistakes. everyone that thinks drugs is the worst thing you can do is wrong because i can name about a couple of things worse than drugs. but i think everyone thats says they are prefect is wrong because there is always some thing you do wrong what ever you do there is always a consequence whith every decsion you make.
ReplyDeletewell ill admit at first i judged the people and what they shared and it made me think differently of some people but i can honestly openly admit that hearing most of these peoples stories makes me not judge them and see them for who they are and i like seeing people for who they are not this fake screen that people put up for their stupid high school lives.
ReplyDeleteHmm. I have to admit. I want to show you this video. WATCH IT.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4A8iGWj3qc&feature=related
Here's the part two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2NbBlxXYoQ&feature=channel
Part three? Yes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dcr4_FNJVQ&annotation_id=annotation_617121&feature=iv
These videos are really fucked up. But I want you to watch them anyways. PS:I haven't judged anybody in creative writing. That's just inhuman to have somebody spill their beans and then shun them for it... But i'm not going to lie, sometimes I zone out and think about other things. I get distracted extremely easily, so some portion of the time, I'm not there :(