Emerson’s View On Education

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Frequently, this is how I feel about the public education system of the United States:

“We are shut up in schools and college recitation rooms for ten or fifteen years, and come out at last with a bellyful of words and do not know a thing.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

When I grow up, I want to work in advertising…?

Look At Me

sheep and wolves

Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident.” We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.

Then there are the wolves and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy. Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.

Then there are sheepdogs, and I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf. If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the uncharted path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.

We know that the sheep live in denial, that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their kids’ schools. But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kid’s school. Our children are thousands of times more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire, but the sheep’s only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard, and so they chose the path of denial.

The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, can not and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The
world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours. Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn’t tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports, in camouflage fatigues, holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, “Baa.” Until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one
lonely sheepdog.

The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough high school students, and under ordinary circumstances they would not have had the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just had nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT teams were clearing the rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically peel those clinging, sobbing kids off of them.

This is how the little lambs feel about their sheepdog when the wolf is at the door. Look at what happened after September 11, 2001 when the wolf pounded hard on the door. Remember how America, more than ever before, felt differently about their law enforcement officers and military personnel? Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle.

The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed, right along with the young ones. Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day.

After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said, “Thank God I wasn’t on one of those planes.” The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, “Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of
those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference.” You want to be able to make a difference. There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that destroys 98 percent of the population.

There was research conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of violent crimes. These cons were in prison for serious, predatory crimes of violence: assaults, murders and killing law enforcement officers. The vast majority said that they specifically targeted victims by body language: slumped walk, passive behavior and lack of awareness. They chose their victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of the herd that is least able to protect itself. Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs.

But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I’m proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs. Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When they learned of the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd and the other passengers confronted the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation occurred among the passengers – athletes, business people and parents — from sheep to sheepdogs and together they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.

“There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men.”
- Edmund Burke.

Here is the point I like to emphasize, especially to the thousands of police officers and soldiers I speak to each year. In nature the sheep, real sheep, are born as sheep. Sheepdogs are born that way, and so are wolves. They didn’t have a choice.

But you are not a critter. As a human being, you can be whatever you want to be. It is a conscious, moral decision. If you want to be a sheep, then you can be a sheep and that is okay, but you must understand the price you pay. When the wolf comes, you and your loved ones are going to die if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you. If you want to be a wolf, you can be one, but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down and you will never have rest, safety, trust or love.

But if you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior’s path, then you
must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.

This business of being a sheep or a sheep dog is not a yes-no dichotomy. It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or choice. It is a matter of degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head- in-the-sand-sheep and on the other end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between. Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors, and the warriors started taking their job more seriously.

It’s ok to be a sheep, but do not kick the sheep dog. Indeed, the sheepdog may just run a little harder, strive to protect a little better and be fully prepared to pay an ultimate price in battle and spirit with the sheep moving from “baa” to “thanks”.

We do not call for gifts or freedoms beyond our lot. We just need a small pat on the head, a smile and a thank you to fill the emotional tank which is drained protecting the sheep. And when our number is called by “The Almighty”, and day retreats into night, a small prayer before the heavens just may be in order to say thanks for letting you continue to be a sheep.

And be grateful for the thousands – - millions – - of American sheepdogs who permit you the freedom to express even bad ideas.

a reflexion after six months of travel

I have been out of the country for the past six months and now am finally back in the states – in Salem, Oregon – to a life which has been so familiar to me during the past 14 years.

I have had some remarkable experiences beginning with my orchestra tour to Canada, followed by by family vacation in Europe, and most recently my study abroad adventures in Mexico. Last year at this time, my plans all seemed so foreign and far away however, I look back now, and it feels as though these past six months have occurred in about 10 minutes.

Canada was a dream trip because I was able to play under Mr. Nelson’s direction again. It’s so easy to take for granted and lose appreciation for what you have, when you have this this/person/group/etc. on a daily basis. I didn’t realize how much I valued Mr. Nelson, his orchestra, and my fellow musicians until I graduated from Sprague and no longer had all of these things and people as part of my daily life. The trip was beautiful, and it was nice to have one last experience with these people after I could truely appreciate the uniqueness and special place this group has in my heart.

Europe with my family was also an amazing trip. As we became more busy with work and school, we sadly have less time for each other. This trip definitely brought us closer and allowed us to appreciate one another as four mature adults. Out of everything we did and saw in Greece, Italy, and England – hands down the best part of the trip was seeing my Greek family. I have not seen them since I was five years old and as I have grown older, I have continued to appreciate the importance and value of family. I really hope that someday in the near future I will be able to return to Greece to visit everyone again. Also, I know I don’t have much time, but I would love to begin Greek lessons so that I am able to communicate with my family.

Athens was absolutely beautiful, the islands were breathtaking, the historical sites were unreal, and Italian coast was more than I could have ever expected. The month flew by quicker than I could have ever expected, but looking back – it was one of the best months of my life and I am so grateful my parents were willing and able to take my sister and me along for this beautiful experience.

Last but not least – Mexico. Where do I even begin? I suppose I can begin with saying my time in Mexico on the Queretaro program was more than I ever could have expected or dreamed. Everything seemed so surreal going into the program – I don’t think it really hit any of us that we would be in Mexico for four months until we boarded the airplane in Los Angeles and we saw that the majority of the other passengers were Mexican, and everything was done in Spanish. At this point everything seems like such a blur: the plane ride to Mexico City, finding a bus to Queretaro, calling my host family at the bus station (and not having any idea what to say or really not understanding what Maru was telling me on the phone), sitting in my room on the very first day, thinking to myself that I was in a complete strange mexican family’s house which I would be occupying for the following 16 weeks…

However, now that I am back, Queretaro seems like home. My host family was amazing – more than I could have ever hoped for, I knew my way around campus, downtown, I could easily negotiate the crazy bus system. Although I am nowhere near fluent, I felt quite comfortable with my spanish. I was comfortable with getting on a bus and taking a weekend trip to a random Mexican city. I could understand mostly everything being said around me and I was in love with the city. I made some amazing friendship with other Mexican students who I know will be lifelong friends.

Most of all, when in Mexico, the most surprising and amazing change which happened was I gained a new family and 14 new best friends. During our orientation, I never would have guessed that our group would have become so close – in fact, I thought the opposite. During orientation, I was almost certain I would not get along with the majority of the people in my group or Christine for that matter; however, I was more than wrong. I love each and every person in the group, and I feel safe to say that this feeling is mutual. We were each other’s everything for four months straight because unlike here, we really didn’t have another other friendships, responsilibties, jobs, etc., which would distract from the relationships. I saw each and every one of these people day in and day out, at school, downtown, and during the nights. We cooked, danced, laughed, cried, traveled…you name it and we did it together. I never would have imagined in a million years how much I care for these people and what a strong bond I feel with them.

It’s hard to describe my experiences in Mexico, and although I can reiterate more or less the events on my time abroad, I know no one will really understand the true impact Mexico has had on my or the sentiments I feel towards my experience. Of course I am excited to see my family and friends back here, but it is so strange to be home. It feels as though nothing has changed, even though I know so much has! Mexico just seems like a dream to me – a vivid dream – but it’s hard to believe that less than a week ago I was living in beautiful sunny Queretaro, Mexico and now here I am, back in Salem, Oregon, preparing for another term at the U of O.

All in all, I have had the most amazing and memorable six months of my life. All of my experiences have definitely opened my eyes and helped me realize that all too often, we get caught up in our day to day rituals and forget that there is so much more that the world has to offer. As I am back in Salem until I move to Eugene in January, I am getting anxious to take off again, to experience another part of the world I have yet to see! I am hoping to find an internship or study program in another country for summer 2008. The travel bug as definitely bite me and I cannot wait for another adventure!