A Shaken Brain

I have come to the realization that my learning journals seem to be a bit shallow. It is as though I am trying to make them be more professional than they need to be. So when I began to read all of the other learning journals I felt like I was freed from perfection and I feel more liberated to write more honestly (not to sound too cheesy!). Truth in Society has really taken my brain and given it a good shake and now there is more room for more information and perspectives in different places. I guess it is a mixture of the class style, our courses, the professors of course, and our many different learning assignments. I think a lot of us in the class were really unsure of why there was so much repetition and vagueness in the course. I was very confused with why we were spending so much time on “Doubt.” To me, it seemed silly and slightly annoying at first. Then I had a moment of enlightenment and I realized that I need to be way more open. I was so set in the teaching methods and class styles of high school that I was closing my eyes and mind to a much needed change. I think I am FINALLY beginning to be more aware of the fact that learning is a process and involves numerous stages. So I am trying to be more patient and understanding both in and out of the class.

I really loved listening to Michael Higgins speak this morning. People like him fascinate me because I am almost positive I could ask him anything and he could answer it in an educated way. He made a point this morning that has allowed me to look at the play in yet another way (I didn’t think that was even possible). He mentioned that in the 1960’s if you were a nun it provided you as a woman with power, authority, status and so on. I always had the impression, or maybe stereotype, that the reverse was true. Yet, now that I consider this it does make sense and I think Sister Aloysius is more reasonable maybe in the way she handles the situation. She already had power, so her accusations against Father Flynn weren’t because she was power hungry. I do believe that she was serving as the protector of those in her care. Her intention was not to hurt Father Flynn- well at least in my opinion.

There are a few other blog postings that have caught my attention or helped me think in new ways I guess. I will only point out a few though. First Khairunnisa made one statement that rings true within me. She said “This class has made me realize of how ignorant I am sometimes.” This for me has been true. Yes, there have been moments when I question what in the heck we are doing, but it always manages to lead somewhere and I always some out learning more and thinking differently than I began. Journalism has really made me think about what I consider not only important, but why I consider it important. This lesson ties in with all of our discussions on “Doubt.”

Justin also wrote in his blog and discussed in class this “Can a boy, not be curious about what it is to be a man. Is it wrong for a boy to ask questions? To seek knowledge, much like a man seeks it from an elderly. In my mind, I have difficulties with doubt. A man may want to harm a boy, because he seeks bad things. But another man may seek to help a boy, in order to be a mentor to that boy. Bad men are everywhere, and they appear in many places, so how does a man help a boy without suffering judgement from others.” He also asked a very important question to the extent of if a woman has alone time with a girl student why this is accepted as opposed to a male teacher and a male student. This is something that I am still considering and questioning.

I guess that is all for now. Believe me, I could keep going, but for everyone’s sanity I will now shut up. There have been some really great discussions and lectures on so many subjects all of which are making me ask important questions and reconsider previous beliefs and opinions that I had.