Dr. Seuss

March 2^nd marks the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.  While it may seem trivial to celebrate an author of children’s books, it is hard to imagine what life would be like without the influence of The Cat in the Hat or Green Eggs and Ham.

Now that you are older I can imagine you may have lost an appreciation for the genius of Dr. Seuss and his work.  But as you watch the number of first graders and kindergarteners walking around looking like Thing 1 and Thing 2, it is difficult to deny the cultural and educational impact his work has had on society.

A couple of years ago, in addition to celebrating his birthday, a movie based on one of his books, “The Lorax” was released.  While it seems like a simple, enjoyable children’s story, it is also a political and social statement by Dr. Seuss concerning the over industrialization of our world and the fear of losing our natural resources.  Dr. Seuss often used his stories to not only entertain and engage children in reading, but provide insight into the world for the parents reading the books.  One of the most gifted books at high school graduation is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”  It’s not so subtle message about how to live your life, through the good times and the bad is extremely relevant to people entering into new phases of their lives.

Did you read or were you read Dr. Seuss stories when you were a child?  If so, what is your favorite and why?  What life lessons did you learn by reading Dr. Seuss or by any other children’s book?   What do you think about the younger kids at school celebrating his birthday

The Beatles

What kind of music do you listen to?  What is your favorite genre?  Regardless of your preferences, the odds are you favorite band, song, or performance was influenced someway by the Beatles.  It was 50 years ago on February 9^th that this band from Liverpool, England performed on the Ed Sullivan Show and changed the world forever. 

The Beatles are the greatest selling band of all time.  They have more number one hits in the United Kingdom and the United States than anyone ever.    You can see and hear the influence of the Beatles in most music today.  They were not afraid of experimenting in different genres or with different instruments.  They were the first to perform a stadium concert.  Each album was a unique experience with a different sound.  John, Paul, George, and Ringo each contributed in their own way to the sound and success of the Beatles.

For having such a huge influence, they had a surprisingly short career.  After less than a decade, the Beatles broke up in 1970.  The pressure of being forever and always linked to one another proved to be too much.  Most fans were anxiously awaiting a reunion which unfortunately was made impossible after John Lennon was killed by a crazed fan in December of 1980.  George Harrison lost his life in 2001 after battling cancer.  The remaining members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, continue to perform and contribute to the musical world.

What kind of music do you listen to?  Why?  Do you like to listen to music?  Why is it appealing?  Can music change the world?  If so, how?

Black History Month Controversy

February is Black History Month.  It has been Black History Month for decades now.  In school and in the media we spend time discussing and celebrating the contributions of African Americans to the Americans society.  It may come as a shock to some of you that the idea of Black History Month is not inspiring, but insulting.  It is ridiculous and unnecessary.  

Below is a video clip from Morgan Freeman explaining why he feels the month is ridiculous.  

There are a number of African Americans that agree and disagree with his opinion.  Regardless, he does bring up interesting points.  Black history is American history and if we ever hope to truly reach a society in which race does not matter, should we still be separating Black history from the rest of history?

That being said, without Black History Month, how much would we know about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or Rosa Parks?  By dedicating a month to the contributions of African Americans, teachers and students discuss and commemorate the lives of people who have greatly shaped the fabric of American culture.  Without this focus, we may miss the opportunity to the educate ourselves on these great Americans.  

There are others who criticize not so much the idea of Black History Month, but the fact that it has been boiled down to the contributions of a limited number of African Americans.  Black History Month has evolved into discussing the lives and times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglas.  While these individuals have greatly influenced our present day society, there are so many others whose addition to our world needs to be recognized.  

Below is another video questioning the need for Black History Month.

After watching the videos, what do you think about Black History Month and have your thoughts changed?  Is this something that we should continue in society?  Do we need to expand or modify the way in which we commemorate the Black Americans?  

Black History Month

Since 1976, the United States and Canada have recognized February as Black History Month.  The idea to dedicate time to the contributions of African Americans was originated in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson.   His vision was to increase the awareness of people and communities to the significant additions African Americans have made to the overall history of the United States. 

His vision has grown since 1926 to include an entire month where elementary, junior high and high school students take time to learn about notable figures and accomplishments of African Americans.

Black History Month’s annual celebration has come with its fair share of criticism.  From questioning the need to dedicate an entire month to a single race to complaints about the month chosen being the shortest month of the year, the opinions are as varied as they can be outlandish. 

Regardless, the idea to educate ourselves about the historical influence countless African Americans have had on our country and communities is with merit.  It is a time to dig past the dates and names to attempt to put yourself in the shoes of a race of people who have struggled to gain an equal footing in the United States. 

Without Black History Month we may be familiar but not as cognizant of the incredible feats of Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, or Maya Angelou.  The contributions African Americans have made to the fabric of the United States are without question. 

Throughout the history of the United States which African Americans have inspired you and why?  The person you choose can be as recent as Tiger Woods or as old as Frederick Douglas.  They person can be real or fictional.  Which stories resonate with you?  For example, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, or Muhammad Ali.

New Year's Resolutions

Each year people all over the world start the new year by making themselves promises.  They promise to lose weight, get to the gym more often, stop yelling, be kinder, learn something new, or a host of other things.  The new year represents a new beginning and to many there is no better time to allow yourself a chance to start over. 

I came across a blog post from the Rappler (link below) which has gone through the actions and words from Pope Francis and developed a list of 10 resolutions.  They are:

Don’t gossip

Finish your meals

Make time for others

Choose the ‘more humble’ purchases

Meet the poor ‘in the flesh’

Stop judging others

Befriend those who disagree

Make commitments, such as marriage

Make it a habit to ‘ask the Lord’

Be happy

The link below will bring you to the article which explains in greater detail. 

http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/46933-new-year-resolutions-pope-francis-quotes

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?  If so, do you mind sharing?  What do you think of the idea of having New Year’s resolutions?  After looking at the list and reading the article about Pope Francis what are your ideas about the resolutions from the Pope’s quotes?

Nelson Mandela

On December 5, 2013 the world lost one of its great leaders.  Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95.  While all of us impact the world, very few can claim to have a widespread and substantial influence on the world that will be felt by endless generations.  Mandela’s commitment, perseverance, and loyalty to the vision of what South Africa could be is remarkable to say the least. 

During his lifetime he actively and non-violently protested against the legalized segregation of South Africa, spent 27 years in prison, was elected President of South Africa, and put the country on the path to economic, social and political reform. 

Below is a link to an article which biographies his life.  Please read. 

http://m.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/nelson-mandela-ex-president-of-south-africa-dies-at-95/2013/12/05/33558832-5df7-11e3-bc56-c6ca94801fac_story.html

What is something you learned about Mr. Mandela you did not know before reading the article?  What part of his life do you find most fascinating?  How do you think Nelson Mandela has influenced the world beyond South Africa?  

President John F. Kennedy

50 years ago on November 22, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  It was a historic moment in the story of the United States.  Most adults who were alive in November of 1963 can tell you where they were when they heard the President had been shot.

John Kennedy changed America and changed the presidency in just the few short years he held the office.  He was the youngest president ever elected, the only Catholic, and a war hero.  His family was as close to American royalty as one can get.  He was the second born son to Joseph and Rose Kennedy.  For most of his life, he accepted his position as second eldest.  The high family expectations were placed on his older brother, Joseph.  Joe was to be the politician and the face of the family.  Unfortunately, Joe was killed during World War II. 

For his service during World War II, John Kennedy received the Naval and Marine Corps Medal and qualified for the Purple Heart.  The story of his heroics followed him into politics and provided a strong foundation of his leadership qualities. 

During his presidency he faced all kinds of obstacles, foreign and domestic.  This is the height of the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the dawn of live television coverage.  For the first time in history live news feeds captured events while they were happening and these images were delivered to Americans across the country.  His youthful and energetic appearance played well on television.  He had frequent issues with the communist Soviet Union.  He was at the helm as the country came about as close to nuclear war as we would like during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  He set the agenda for our journey into space and landing on the moon.  The 1960’s were a chaotic and exciting time in the United States and John F. Kennedy was in the middle of it all.

Given the polarizing events of the 1960’s, Kennedy was not loved by all.  When tough decisions are required, often groups feel alienated and rejected.  To many John Kennedy was dangerous.  This may be why Lee Harvey Oswald felt compelled to assassinate him.

On a trip to Dallas, Texas, as the President, First Lady and the Governor of Texas were driving through the city; John Kennedy was fatally shot from a high powered rifle by a man in the Book Depository. 

As a result of the brutal assassination as well as his commitment to America, John Kennedy has gone down in history as an iconic president.  The country and the news have been honoring his memory as we are approaching the 50 anniversary of his death.  Although the news specials have focused on the events leading up to his death, it is the life he led that sets him apart.

This is a link to a site honoring JFK:  http://www.jfk50.org/

What qualities do you think make a good president?  Why?  Who is your favorite president and why?  If you do not have one, ask your parents or some other trusted adult.  If they don’t know, do some research.