Your writing is such a treasure, thank you Jess Piper. Trump has done the impossible: unite everyone at Harvard -- in opposition to him. Harvard must stand firm against Trump and MAGA; if they do not or can not, who can? As Jess noted, the attitude of cruel superiority, vicious arrogance, and total lack of empathy or compassion, that Leavitt and the administration display daily is enough to make even Harvard by contrast become a champion of the common man.
Harvard's commencement is live right now and a friend is attending. His report:
"President Garber stepped to the podium and said “Welcome!” which was followed by 30,000 people standing up to applaud. Then he said, welcome to those from around the world, “which is just as it should be.” That led to another standing ovation."
You found out the nursing profession was not for you, but you sure have compassion for others! I was just thinking about this as I got my coffee this morning. And of course, they don’t want these workers to be in a union as you said to keep their wages low. And they want to reduce assistance so they can keep their rich friends taxes low. Thanks for your perspective Jess! And for your beautiful writing.
I work for UTI. Stop it! Not that UTI. Universal Technical Institute. I get that all the time when I speak across the country. I speak to those with a bachelors, masters, or a doctorate from a traditional college or university. Yet few of them could poke their head under the hood of a Volvo and have the slightest idea what's going on. When I heard them say they'd take the money from Harvard and give it to trades schools, I just cringed. It's like they were talking down to people in skilled trades. As you said, we need both. You would think that working for a trade school, I would be ecstatic, but I'm not. I was a teacher, coach and high school administrator in my previous life. I hold several degrees that served me well. That was my career pathway. Plumbers, welders, auto, and diesel techs also choose their career pathway. Doesn't make them less intelligent. I stand firmly with Harvard. I just hope they will stand firmly for themselves against this so-called administration.
Retired MO public teacher here (40_ years) with three masters degrees and a PhD prep that I discontinued because it would have been nothing more than what I had already done. Now, let me praise Jess' initial work and say that I have met some fine people when I volunteered for 20+ years with Habitat. Some were medical professionals, some were degreed religious, some were off-duty nuns, some were auto mechanics, some were 'retired' public servants, some were blue-collar workers, and ALL of them were doing the same tasks in carpentry, drywall hanging, floor installations, and such. NOT the licensed skilled trades such as electrician, plumbing and the like, but the basic skills of common-sense building, all led by licensed skilled tradesmen (and women) who oversaw our work and helped us to grow our skills. And, yes, carpentry/framing/window installation etc are so demanding, because the end results tell us if the job was begun and done correctly. Never let someone tell us that the work of hands-on skills is menial. And, finally, I met a young man last night who is in his early 40s now, and who was in my sunday school classes for about nine years. I knew from the information that his grandparents shared with me that he had enrolled in a local trades school and had graduated with certificates in wide-ranging areas of auto mechanics. Now, I can tell you that in NO WAY today am I prepared or ready to do anything close to what he can do under the hood of an auto or truck. And, he is the corporate team leader for mechanics in a local large auto chain. He is pure gold, and it's because he is dedicated and he is interested in a large range of topics. We were at a funeral, and he asked me how my teaching was going, but even more, he said how much he enjoyed reading and discussing some of the books I had used in the sunday school classes when he was younger. Lots of detail recall, and even more, he said that it provokes him even to this day to look at others with a more compassionate eye. I'd say he has done well for himself and for those he encounters.
The world and civilization need all kinds of people and many different skills. It's so mean-spirited to diminish someone that doesn't have a college diploma when their contribution is as valuable to the world as a college graduate. We all need what others provide.
Jess, this post reminded me of the best thing I ever heard in a classroom. I was in a high school algebra class and someone asked the teacher why we need to know this stuff. He said it wasn't that we needed to know that X + Y = Z, it was that figuring out WHY X + Y is equal to Z teaches us how to think. I never forgot that. Teaching children how to think and reason and solve problems for themselves are maybe the most important skills we can pass on to them. The last thing the MAGA cult wants, though, is for their sheep to be critical thinkers.
As a 45 year career English teacher, you are 100% spot on. Our local school board chair, a Christian Nationalist, has disparaged higher education and said publicly the only reason his two older kids went to public school was for the vocational program; he called me "elite" because I am National Board certified and told me that God put him here to rid the system of "woke" educators like me - nevermind that I am retired :-). Unfortunately, his 2 sons are bigots just like him. No English teacher apparently can break through his indoctrination. This is the upside down world in which we live.
FWIW, I have four advanced degrees from places like Harvard and a career that matches. Over the years, I have repeatedly given silent and spoken heartfelt THANKS to my Minnesota public school English teacher -- the unmatched Arlyss Johnson -- as the most important intellectual influence of my life. Thank you, too, Dee Grimm.
I had several high school English teachers who had similar importance in my life. I also had several elementary school teachers who were very important in my life, including one--my fifth grade teacher--who I befriended years later in adulthood. Our first meeting as two adults was in some jernt in Grand Central Station. It felt like we were old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time. At the time, I lived in DC, and my parents were still alive, in Boston. I'd stop in NYC, where my teacher lived every time I drove between the two cities. But when I'd first seen her as an adult, she was in her eighth year of breast cancer. She died around two years after our first get together, in the early-mid '90s. I still miss her.
My first memory of her: the small private school I attended was located in the attic of a church. I--then in fourth grade--was going up the stairs to the attic; she was coming down with a small group of her fifth grade students. We met on the landing. One of her then students, a boy, turned to me, and he said, "We love our little teacher!" (She was short.) It was easy to understand where he was coming from. She radiated warmth.
Dee, thank you for your service. Sounds like he’s from Abundant Life Church in Lee’s Summit, where the pastor Phil Hopper tells his members they’re needed on the public school board for exactly that reason.
It's a *&%$show in our county right now. I'm retired but still serve as a resource for those afraid to speak out. One of our board, another Christian Nationalist ,HOMESCHOOLS, and that's okay that she's making policy for others. She pulled a list of 57 book out of her ass (and a Mom's list) and got them banned even though some were not even in our libraries.
AMEN SISTER. I once had a plumber at my house, and we had the most amazing conversation about astronomy. He was absolutely in love with the wonder of it and knew where every observatory was in this state and visited them frequently. I told him he should consider getting a degree and teaching it if he decided to leave the plumbing profession. He immediately responded that he could never do it because he talked too fast. (He did speak faster than any person I have evet met!) I told him he could learn to slow down, and we all had challenges to overcome when we work on mastering something. I still think of him to this day because I hope he would pursue it if his knees or back cant take the hard work he does now. I often dream of what a glorious world it would be if every human could be encouraged to believe in themselves and realize their full potential. It would be the closest thing to world peace.
As a NH resident (though in District Two) I can assure you that Karoline Leavitt (who ran for Congress in District One) really is the callow bigot she appears to be, a spoiled, narrow-minded "church lady" ready and willing to push her own narrow world view and whatever ridiculous garbage the Oval Office wants her to spread any day of the week and twice on the day of your choice. If Trump wants to see a real example of human scum, he doesn't need to look beyond the walls of the White House.
In 1973, the Trilateralists met in NYC under the chair of David Rockefeller. They consisted of CEOs and owners of businesses. The concluded that people were “too well educated” and “
“there was an excess of democracy.”
In 1971 Milton Friedman wrote an article saying corporations do not have an obligation for social responsibility. Social responsibility seems to have been redefined as socialism — anathema to neoliberals such as the Trilateralists — and a social construct was shaped into increased hatred of govt, teachers, publicly owned media, etc.
They did this by buying up the media, forming the Atlas Group of Think Tanks that produced BS articles to reduce democracy and education published in the media they controlled.
As for Harvard (and Columbia and all the colleges and universities) I think they should rescind the degrees of the members of the administration who advocate and endorse these anti education policies.
Thank you. For years I’ve questioned why we wouldn’t be a better country if our workers were provided higher education. Why shouldn’t a plumber have a BS or a BA?
No reason why they shouldn't. But some probably want to get on with their lives. Or just aren't interested. But I agree with you that higher education should be made available to all. Either free or at a low, affordable cost, which is what I think they do in Scandinavia. In fact, I think in a lot of ways we have a stupid country, and I'm somewhat sorry I didn't leave it in early adulthood. I think I'd be happier in France, or Scandinavia, or some other European country.
Do they even really need a BA? What if we just made lifelong learning opportunities something all citizens can access? Plumber wants to learn more about (subject)? He/she has immediate access to a course of study that will walk him through that. I think sometimes we get hung up on degrees, when really it's about the love of learning. That should be available for everyone. (Obviously libraries fill part of this function, but there will always be gaps that they don't have resources to fill, and sometimes you need guidance on where to START when exploring a new subject.)
Interestingly, I think I learned more from the courses taken in which I had no interest than those freely chosen. Forming thought patterns and learning to think critically generally happens within an established course of study. I think the love of lifelong learning has its basis there also, for many. Those who have those desires organically are the ones who shouldn’t be denied higher education. Back to the “a mind is a terrible thing to waste”.
They need to learn how to run a business, understand legal contacts, finances, medical issues, and what their government is up to. If they can’t read, they can’t see that the vulture capitalist may be trying to cheat them by providing extreme conditions on the money they need to borrow for equipment. That their landlord has a responsibility to provide certain services. That the payroll company has made a terrible mistake in the amount of withholding. That customers like Trump will try to cheat them.
I loved hearing your nursing story Jess. My sister had a similar experience when she was young.
I wanted to mention here that Oklahoma parents are fighting the school board for a newly imposed propaganda curriculum talking about how Biden’s win by 8 million didn’t happen fairly. I have re-posted the story and would love to find a way to send those blue dots in a red state some encouragement or help. If commenters from red states here have any ideas, please let me know. I’m far more conscious of this after reading articles by Jess.
Gem of an essay. I am going to share this widely in our rural town where the auto industry used to reign and union workers could afford to send their children to college.
When our HS, which my son attends, announced they were expanding to set up a vocational school attached to the HS they sent out a survey to all the parents asking what we though of the new program. After getting thought the mundane "strongly agree / strongly disagree" part; they asked for a comment. Cracking my knuckles; I gave them 500 words expressing my hopes that the new school wouldn't be a dumping ground for underperforming students, and that any students attending would continue to receive all the educational opportunities they would normally expect.
Jess, your heart and soul is for everyone. We need more humans running our government. Thank You!
Your writing is such a treasure, thank you Jess Piper. Trump has done the impossible: unite everyone at Harvard -- in opposition to him. Harvard must stand firm against Trump and MAGA; if they do not or can not, who can? As Jess noted, the attitude of cruel superiority, vicious arrogance, and total lack of empathy or compassion, that Leavitt and the administration display daily is enough to make even Harvard by contrast become a champion of the common man.
Harvard's commencement is live right now and a friend is attending. His report:
"President Garber stepped to the podium and said “Welcome!” which was followed by 30,000 people standing up to applaud. Then he said, welcome to those from around the world, “which is just as it should be.” That led to another standing ovation."
🎉👏🎊 Yay Harvard! Stand tall! Stand proud! Stand strong!
Dave, all true. But don’t forget Hypocrisy.
And it is all in service of dominance. The less educated people are, the easier they are to control.
Ah, yes: "I love the poorly educated."--DJT, 02/24/2016
Please Share,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/xbHFfDgcMN
Signed and shared!
The World Thanks You
Done and done
Signed, donated, and shared. Thanks for sharing!
done!
*vomit*
Neremberg Style Petition.
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
Absolutely.
Please Share,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/xbHFfDgcMN
What a great response!
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/xbHFfDgcMN
You found out the nursing profession was not for you, but you sure have compassion for others! I was just thinking about this as I got my coffee this morning. And of course, they don’t want these workers to be in a union as you said to keep their wages low. And they want to reduce assistance so they can keep their rich friends taxes low. Thanks for your perspective Jess! And for your beautiful writing.
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/xbHFfDgcMN
I work for UTI. Stop it! Not that UTI. Universal Technical Institute. I get that all the time when I speak across the country. I speak to those with a bachelors, masters, or a doctorate from a traditional college or university. Yet few of them could poke their head under the hood of a Volvo and have the slightest idea what's going on. When I heard them say they'd take the money from Harvard and give it to trades schools, I just cringed. It's like they were talking down to people in skilled trades. As you said, we need both. You would think that working for a trade school, I would be ecstatic, but I'm not. I was a teacher, coach and high school administrator in my previous life. I hold several degrees that served me well. That was my career pathway. Plumbers, welders, auto, and diesel techs also choose their career pathway. Doesn't make them less intelligent. I stand firmly with Harvard. I just hope they will stand firmly for themselves against this so-called administration.
Same, friend.
Retired MO public teacher here (40_ years) with three masters degrees and a PhD prep that I discontinued because it would have been nothing more than what I had already done. Now, let me praise Jess' initial work and say that I have met some fine people when I volunteered for 20+ years with Habitat. Some were medical professionals, some were degreed religious, some were off-duty nuns, some were auto mechanics, some were 'retired' public servants, some were blue-collar workers, and ALL of them were doing the same tasks in carpentry, drywall hanging, floor installations, and such. NOT the licensed skilled trades such as electrician, plumbing and the like, but the basic skills of common-sense building, all led by licensed skilled tradesmen (and women) who oversaw our work and helped us to grow our skills. And, yes, carpentry/framing/window installation etc are so demanding, because the end results tell us if the job was begun and done correctly. Never let someone tell us that the work of hands-on skills is menial. And, finally, I met a young man last night who is in his early 40s now, and who was in my sunday school classes for about nine years. I knew from the information that his grandparents shared with me that he had enrolled in a local trades school and had graduated with certificates in wide-ranging areas of auto mechanics. Now, I can tell you that in NO WAY today am I prepared or ready to do anything close to what he can do under the hood of an auto or truck. And, he is the corporate team leader for mechanics in a local large auto chain. He is pure gold, and it's because he is dedicated and he is interested in a large range of topics. We were at a funeral, and he asked me how my teaching was going, but even more, he said how much he enjoyed reading and discussing some of the books I had used in the sunday school classes when he was younger. Lots of detail recall, and even more, he said that it provokes him even to this day to look at others with a more compassionate eye. I'd say he has done well for himself and for those he encounters.
The world and civilization need all kinds of people and many different skills. It's so mean-spirited to diminish someone that doesn't have a college diploma when their contribution is as valuable to the world as a college graduate. We all need what others provide.
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share anything! https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
Neremberg Style Petition.
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
Jess, this post reminded me of the best thing I ever heard in a classroom. I was in a high school algebra class and someone asked the teacher why we need to know this stuff. He said it wasn't that we needed to know that X + Y = Z, it was that figuring out WHY X + Y is equal to Z teaches us how to think. I never forgot that. Teaching children how to think and reason and solve problems for themselves are maybe the most important skills we can pass on to them. The last thing the MAGA cult wants, though, is for their sheep to be critical thinkers.
I love this.
Totally agree!! Geometry is all about proof, as well. You don’t just assume something is true, you prove it! You have to THINK!
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
Wisdom!
So true.
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings
Please sign, share anything! https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
As a 45 year career English teacher, you are 100% spot on. Our local school board chair, a Christian Nationalist, has disparaged higher education and said publicly the only reason his two older kids went to public school was for the vocational program; he called me "elite" because I am National Board certified and told me that God put him here to rid the system of "woke" educators like me - nevermind that I am retired :-). Unfortunately, his 2 sons are bigots just like him. No English teacher apparently can break through his indoctrination. This is the upside down world in which we live.
FWIW, I have four advanced degrees from places like Harvard and a career that matches. Over the years, I have repeatedly given silent and spoken heartfelt THANKS to my Minnesota public school English teacher -- the unmatched Arlyss Johnson -- as the most important intellectual influence of my life. Thank you, too, Dee Grimm.
I had several high school English teachers who had similar importance in my life. I also had several elementary school teachers who were very important in my life, including one--my fifth grade teacher--who I befriended years later in adulthood. Our first meeting as two adults was in some jernt in Grand Central Station. It felt like we were old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time. At the time, I lived in DC, and my parents were still alive, in Boston. I'd stop in NYC, where my teacher lived every time I drove between the two cities. But when I'd first seen her as an adult, she was in her eighth year of breast cancer. She died around two years after our first get together, in the early-mid '90s. I still miss her.
I am blessed by several close friendships with former students.. it's the BEST! I know she loved that you kept up with her. I sure do.
It truly was wonderful.
My first memory of her: the small private school I attended was located in the attic of a church. I--then in fourth grade--was going up the stairs to the attic; she was coming down with a small group of her fifth grade students. We met on the landing. One of her then students, a boy, turned to me, and he said, "We love our little teacher!" (She was short.) It was easy to understand where he was coming from. She radiated warmth.
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
Small brains need thick heads.
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
Dee, thank you for your service. Sounds like he’s from Abundant Life Church in Lee’s Summit, where the pastor Phil Hopper tells his members they’re needed on the public school board for exactly that reason.
It's a *&%$show in our county right now. I'm retired but still serve as a resource for those afraid to speak out. One of our board, another Christian Nationalist ,HOMESCHOOLS, and that's okay that she's making policy for others. She pulled a list of 57 book out of her ass (and a Mom's list) and got them banned even though some were not even in our libraries.
Or St Joseph Grace Church where minister brags about putting Christian Nationalists on local school board.
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
AMEN SISTER. I once had a plumber at my house, and we had the most amazing conversation about astronomy. He was absolutely in love with the wonder of it and knew where every observatory was in this state and visited them frequently. I told him he should consider getting a degree and teaching it if he decided to leave the plumbing profession. He immediately responded that he could never do it because he talked too fast. (He did speak faster than any person I have evet met!) I told him he could learn to slow down, and we all had challenges to overcome when we work on mastering something. I still think of him to this day because I hope he would pursue it if his knees or back cant take the hard work he does now. I often dream of what a glorious world it would be if every human could be encouraged to believe in themselves and realize their full potential. It would be the closest thing to world peace.
❤️❤️❤️
As a NH resident (though in District Two) I can assure you that Karoline Leavitt (who ran for Congress in District One) really is the callow bigot she appears to be, a spoiled, narrow-minded "church lady" ready and willing to push her own narrow world view and whatever ridiculous garbage the Oval Office wants her to spread any day of the week and twice on the day of your choice. If Trump wants to see a real example of human scum, he doesn't need to look beyond the walls of the White House.
She seems like an awful human being
Give her folks a call…
https://leavittsicecream.wordpress.com/
I have a colleague who worked with her for a hot minute and he said “she is the worst human being I have literally ever met”.
In 1973, the Trilateralists met in NYC under the chair of David Rockefeller. They consisted of CEOs and owners of businesses. The concluded that people were “too well educated” and “
“there was an excess of democracy.”
In 1971 Milton Friedman wrote an article saying corporations do not have an obligation for social responsibility. Social responsibility seems to have been redefined as socialism — anathema to neoliberals such as the Trilateralists — and a social construct was shaped into increased hatred of govt, teachers, publicly owned media, etc.
They did this by buying up the media, forming the Atlas Group of Think Tanks that produced BS articles to reduce democracy and education published in the media they controlled.
Milton Friedman😡😡😡
I have a weird little funny story which I will probably write on here one of these days.
Please SHARE,
This Petition just started and states WHY they must follow our Laws and Judges Rulings. Please Sign, share, anything! https://chng.it/rWvfDZv24M
So sad...
Compassion is something totally missing from the Trump administration. Thank you for expressing it so eloquently.
Thank you Jess.
As for Harvard (and Columbia and all the colleges and universities) I think they should rescind the degrees of the members of the administration who advocate and endorse these anti education policies.
That’s a great idea!
Thank you. For years I’ve questioned why we wouldn’t be a better country if our workers were provided higher education. Why shouldn’t a plumber have a BS or a BA?
No reason why they shouldn't. But some probably want to get on with their lives. Or just aren't interested. But I agree with you that higher education should be made available to all. Either free or at a low, affordable cost, which is what I think they do in Scandinavia. In fact, I think in a lot of ways we have a stupid country, and I'm somewhat sorry I didn't leave it in early adulthood. I think I'd be happier in France, or Scandinavia, or some other European country.
Do they even really need a BA? What if we just made lifelong learning opportunities something all citizens can access? Plumber wants to learn more about (subject)? He/she has immediate access to a course of study that will walk him through that. I think sometimes we get hung up on degrees, when really it's about the love of learning. That should be available for everyone. (Obviously libraries fill part of this function, but there will always be gaps that they don't have resources to fill, and sometimes you need guidance on where to START when exploring a new subject.)
Interestingly, I think I learned more from the courses taken in which I had no interest than those freely chosen. Forming thought patterns and learning to think critically generally happens within an established course of study. I think the love of lifelong learning has its basis there also, for many. Those who have those desires organically are the ones who shouldn’t be denied higher education. Back to the “a mind is a terrible thing to waste”.
They need to learn how to run a business, understand legal contacts, finances, medical issues, and what their government is up to. If they can’t read, they can’t see that the vulture capitalist may be trying to cheat them by providing extreme conditions on the money they need to borrow for equipment. That their landlord has a responsibility to provide certain services. That the payroll company has made a terrible mistake in the amount of withholding. That customers like Trump will try to cheat them.
Thanks Jess, you are a bright light in our state of Missouri.
I loved hearing your nursing story Jess. My sister had a similar experience when she was young.
I wanted to mention here that Oklahoma parents are fighting the school board for a newly imposed propaganda curriculum talking about how Biden’s win by 8 million didn’t happen fairly. I have re-posted the story and would love to find a way to send those blue dots in a red state some encouragement or help. If commenters from red states here have any ideas, please let me know. I’m far more conscious of this after reading articles by Jess.
Thank you for fighting in Oklahoma
When ever
Gem of an essay. I am going to share this widely in our rural town where the auto industry used to reign and union workers could afford to send their children to college.
Thank you, friend
Hypocrisy, thy name is Banana Republican.
Banana Republican!
When our HS, which my son attends, announced they were expanding to set up a vocational school attached to the HS they sent out a survey to all the parents asking what we though of the new program. After getting thought the mundane "strongly agree / strongly disagree" part; they asked for a comment. Cracking my knuckles; I gave them 500 words expressing my hopes that the new school wouldn't be a dumping ground for underperforming students, and that any students attending would continue to receive all the educational opportunities they would normally expect.