Happy Days in Random Chatter 10

[yayfulness]

Having thought it over for a few days, it still really bothers me that people (I don't know if it's on the site or not) talk about homosexuality the same way they talk about being a paraplegic. I mean, at least it's a step up from talking about homosexuality the same way they talk about child abuse, but it still strikes me as really demeaning even if it is well-meaning.

[Shrinky Dink]

I thought the Why would anyone willingly choose the putrid fruit of heathenism/and Why would anyone choose the deserted hellscape of Rexburg juxtaposition was awesome.

I dunno man people are weird

Because sex is fun and Rexburg is a small town with super judgmental people

Whoops. Apparently I initially misread this as people "deserting the hellscape of Rexburg." Oh well.

[Digit]

"They'll cost about $159, and you could easily lose them in a day."

What are Apple AirPods, Alex?

[Emiliana]

I have been researching all the down-ballot races on my ballot, and boy is it tedious to look up 2-4 candidates on each of a million judge races.

[TheBlackSheep]

Does your newspaper or anything rate your judges? If so, if they are doing a good job, just vote for the incumbents. If not, do more research into who is running. This is how my father the judge taught me to do it and I feel no guilt not stressing about judges races.

BUT THEY ARE SUPER IMPORTANT TO VOTE IN.

[Portia]

As Mormon moms like to say:

Make good choices, everybody.

[Zedability]

Whattttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

[Digit]

Uh oh

[Portia]

"Hamilton" had its first dry run at the Obama White House.

Welcome to the nightmare known as "Baby It's Cold Outside For Four Continuous Years."

[Digit]

Well, it's been almost a whole day, so I guess we're long overdue to see the next campaign start up .

[Shrinky Dink]

If you happen to live in a city where major political protests are taking place, please don't go. Half of them are closer to riots than protests and someone is going to get hurt or killed from one of them. They are too emotionally charged with anger, fear, and hatred for them all to end peacefully. It's not worth it and holding up a sign and chanting for a few hours in anger isn't going to do anything to actually change the situation we're in.

[Amity]

I'm going to respectfully disagree with that. A good number of people are grieving or outright angry over the election outcome. Why not channel some of that anger into a public demonstration? Yeah, it's not going to stop Trump from becoming president, but there are other reasons to protest.

[wryness]

There have already been incidents at the school I teach at, which is very diverse and has always appeared to be inclusive. I've never heard racially-charged insults like these ones before, not from our students. Unfortunately, the last 48 hours haven't brought out the best in most people.

(Except Obama. His speech was classy and very much what was needed.)

[Amity]

One of my students couldn't come to class the day after the election because she felt unsafe. There was a swastika painted at a bus stop at my grad school alma mater. It's disgusting what's happening and I think it's important to show solidarity with people who are legitimately afraid about the results of this election (she says as she hastily rearranges her lesson plans for her next class so she can end early and join the campus walkout).

Also, wryness, I have a friend who's collecting info about incidents that have happened at higher-education institutions. If you're willing, could you share some more information about what's been happening at your school? (PM is fine if you don't want to post it publicly.)

[Marduk]

Also, wryness, I have a friend who's collecting info about incidents that have happened at higher-education institutions. If you're willing, could you share some more information about what's been happening at your school? (PM is fine if you don't want to post it publicly.)

Hrmm, just saw someone in a facebook group posting that they were doing the same. I wonder if it is the same person.

[Amity]

It's possible we're in a Facebook academic group together! Does this person have red hair and a first name that starts with S?

[Portia]

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

[Marduk]

It's possible we're in a Facebook academic group together! Does this person have red hair and a first name that starts with S?

Yep, looks like that's them. I posted in that thread, in case you're curious (not that I'm that hard to stalk.)

[wryness]

Amity, my school is one of the ones mentioned in this article. It's not actually a higher-education institution; it's a secondary school. I will send you a PM with more info if you are still interested. (Many of our wonderful students participated in a walkout today; while I believe in supporting the democratic process, even when a crap nominee is elected, I also have no problems with students doing this whatsoever. I also hope Trump gets impeached within a few weeks of taking office. Thankfully there are so many more wonderful people at our school than awful ones. The wonderful ones just need to speak louder than the other side!)

Portia, I love your quote and shared it with my students last year when we read Night. (We just started that book THIS WEEK and the parallels to pre-Holocaust stuff are obviously concerning. I put this picture in a slideshow and didn't explicitly state the connection until some of my students stated it out loud themselves.) I think I'm going to make or buy a poster of that quote and put it outside my room.

Also, slightly related: I had my students read about 30-40 pages of that book with a substitute teacher. I'm really REALLY hoping that this was handled tastefully...really really really. I'm saving the most impactful and memorable part (where a little boy is hanged) to read with them when I get back. I feel like this is appropriate (I don't trust a sub to give my students "the talk" afterwards about still having faith in humanity and all that) but also I feel like a horrible person (because it's like, ahahaha, I can't get too excited to share something incredibly depressing with them.)

ALSO I got a great idea from a Facebook friend's posts and I'm going to make some supportive posters and take them to a local mosque tomorrow. Never done anything like this before (and I sometimes have anxiety about stuff), so it's nerve-wracking but exciting!

Super super long post; sorry not sorry!

[Portia]

How about them Cubs, everyone?