brain drain 9/20/2019

The impulse to do “good” / to make the world “better”. Heavy on the quotes because I understand that I need to view these words critically, but I don't have a good enough understanding to say them any other way. Teaching as a “philanthropic vocation or romantic calling,” "schools as secular churches,” things that make my skin crawl because they feel wrong, but also because I'm not different.

I allow the myth that I know exactly what I want to persist. I thrive on being seen as driven, passionate, purposeful. I want the gold star that people give me with their eyes when I say I'm a teacher. "We need more people like you." It's not why I do what I do, but it matters to me. Is that wrong?

Selfless/selfish

If we see ourselves a certain way, that encourages others to see us that way. If we question that, is it wrong to want people to still see us that way? Should my flaws be public, to be more human? Or should I hide them, because by putting them out into the world I burden others with complications?

“This notion of giving voice to the voiceless - that’s, to me, very flawed. They’ve always been talking. No one’s been listening.” - America Ferrera