Tuesday, August 21, 2001

The Problem with Caring

Just last week, I assigned my students to a community service project: they were to find a problem that affects their community, determine what are the social impacts that it has, and what others can do to get involved.

I am continually amazed at the quality of work that students put together under duress, and it's not because they are just crafty, they're smart to boot. Groups did research on HIV transmission rates, the amount of services provided in the Bay Area, public housing, AIDS services, and the difference between realities and perception of race.

I read their papers, and it's compassion that shows through. They really believe in a lot of their topics, and are genuinely interested in helping out. But then that interest quickly fades when the realities of helping out conflicts with busy lives, study times and a general apathy towards anything that doesn't quickly give back. The trouble with caring is that so much demands our attention and time and energy and passion, but our lives circle other important aspects (but some not too important ones either, natch!).

I want to believe that this generation of youth actually believes in the action of giving back, but I can readily see it not happening. That is, I watch their lips moving but their bodies standing still. It's painful to a point: to hear about someone taking the issue to heart but not really doing anything about it is like wanting to save the world yet not lifting a finger.

So why is this? I thought about it, maybe it's just youthful idealism that dictates behavior. Maybe it's just fulfilling an assignment given by a teacher and doing the minimal. Maybe it's just me being cynical about kids these days...I don't know. But reading students' works is truly a heart warming experience, especially if you can tell if their work is real, and sadly enough, a lot of it isn't. Reflectively speaking, from a pedagogical perspective, is it my duty to inform them of their lack of reflective process in their work? I don't know, but as long as assignments are foundationless, they will continue to reflect a weak core. Who knows. I think it's because it's 5:46 and I'm still at work, waiting for the beer to flow...

Peas,
Voodoo

posted by Voodoo Child @ 5:50:00 PM