I LOVE my night job. It is only one night a week, and only 2
hours. My monthly paycheck pays for 2 weeks’ worth of gas. I definitely don’t
love it for the money. But, I can tell you why I love it.
I love my job because we talk about Personal Power. We talk
about the importance of making a choice and owning it. We talk about being
proud of decisions you make and making sure to use your Personal Power in a
positive way, doing something you would be happy to tell your mom about. I love
my job because we talk about owing your emotions. We practice I statements, and
knowing that our emotions are ours and no one made us feel that way, but that
our reaction is something that personally belongs to us. We talk about how with
our reactions we have consequences, and consequences are not always bad. We
talk about how it is okay to feel angry and upset, but how we express our anger
needs to be positive. We now know that when we are angry, we never hurt
ourselves. This means we avoid negative self-talk as well as physical self-harm.
When we are angry, we never hurt others. This means that we don’t send nasty
tweets, or call someone a name, or push them in front of a bus (poor Regina
George!). When we are angry, we don’t hurt the environment. This means we do
not hit walls, litter, or throw things.
I love my job because we talk about making mistakes. We talk
about getting mad at our brother and throwing a magazine at his face, we talk
about hitting a friend because she didn’t let you play with her ball, and we
talk about sending a note (or email) when you shouldn’t (or in a way you shouldn’t,
maybe?). We know that these choices are using our Personal Power in a negative
way. We know that sometimes we make bad decisions. Sometimes we make mistakes.
But, we also know that that does not make us a bad person.
I love my job because we talk about saying “no”. We talk
about how it is important feeling comfortable to say “NO!” We talk about how “no”
means “no”. We know that it is okay to say no, and that word helps to protect
us.
I love it because today, I talked to 6 year old girls about
how amazing our bodies are. We talked about being beautiful inside and out. We
talked about self-love and liking what you see. We talked about birthmarks on
you eye, belly, or a cow spot on your armpit are uniquely yours. We love our
birthmarks. Tonight we talked about how great it is to be a woman. We talked
about how my body is my body and no you cannot touch it. We talked about asking
permission to touch each other. Can I touch your face? Can I give you a hug?
Can I hold your hand? We talked about how inappropriate it is for someone to
grab us by the pussy (well actually vagina, because we talked about the
importance of calling parts by their name and how to report it if someone did
grab us there). We talked about who we should talk to and how if someone is
making you feel yucky (they are 6…) you have the right to tell your mom,
teacher, or trusted adult you don’t feel comfortable, and they are there to
help keep you safe.
And then we painted our faces. There was debate on if I was
prettier with face paint or without. Consensus was that I am a woman, and I am
beautiful either way. They did pretty good I must say.
And that brings me to this election. When America elected Donald
Trump President Elect, I felt sad. I feel let down, I feel unimportant, I am
confused. I don’t understand how someone could hear the things he has said,
pondered at the things he has promised, and see the actions he has taken can truly
believe that he is the right candidate for President. I don’t get how bragging
about sexual assault is presidential. I don’t understand how exclusion is
presidential. I don’t understand how bigotry, racism, and violence toward our
neighbors is presidential. I don’t understand how someone could vote for him,
and have a clear conscience today. I feel yucky, and I don’t know that any
trusted adult can make me feel safe. I think our President should be a trusted
adult these girls could go to and he could help. I don’t think Donald Trump
would be able to help them, though.
I have been super emotional all day. Today, I love my job. I
love my job because I feel like I am making a difference. I am teaching young
kids (currently, 6 year old girls) just how important they are, and I hope they
leave each week feeling a little more empowered. I have been emotional, because
I taught these girls that “no” means “no”. That as a female, they are important
and have rights. That no matter who they choose as a life partner, their family’s
primary language, and what they choose as a career is who they are and that
means something. I have taught them this, but today I feel like that may not be
true. That could possible not be the case. I worry that our rights may no longer
be ours. Sexual assault is not something we look at as a major issue. Treating
people badly because they hold up a sign is okay, because you are angry that
they are against you. I am emotional, because I may be teaching a lie. I love
my job because I love the kids I work with. I love seeing them a little
stronger each week, and I love seeing their potential. I don’t want them to
lose that. I don’t want them to be fired.
That being said, I love Election Day. I think our election
process is wild and crazy and maybe not the best system- but that’s the
excitement. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote. Our election system is
insane. I don’t like the results, I don’t like that the popular vote and the electoral
vote contradict, but I will do my best to support our next president. I will
pray for him (because I think he needs it) and I will pray that our other
elected officials can also lead our country in a way that will continue to move
us forward. I pray that we don’t regress. I also know that I will stand with
those being oppressed. If regression comes I will fight with them.
God Bless America! PLEASE!
*Please not that all of these scenarios I have mentioned
from Regina George to the cow spot have all been mentioned during my classes.
Another reason I love my job.
Comments