May 25, 2020 was blessed by a morning that helped nature show it's true prowess. Flowers were blooming. The leaves on the trees were growing in multitudes. Husbands and wives kissed each other goodbye and headed to work. Grandparents helped their grandchildren go off to school. In rows of twelve (from first grade to fifth grade) the students of P.S. 112 face the American flag and recite The Pledge of Allegiance. Once the reciting is over the principal rolls up the American flag back into the stick it was attached to.
Ms. Fuller's third grade class enters their homeroom and settles in. Goofing off and chatting amongst themselves is something to expect before the first bell rings. Abruptly breaking the noise Ms. Fuller makes three loud claps. The ten students that make up the class fall into attention mode. Usually the day starts off with Reading Comprehension, but Ms. Fuller has something rare in store.
Class was in full session when the students were instructed to sit and form a circle on the carpet next to the whiteboard. Ms. Fuller grabbed a chair and placed herself in front of the class. In her hand was a booklet on the history of the United States and the monuments that reflect it's greatness. Out of all the pages in this booklet there was one in particular that Ms. Fuller wanted her class to see. Flipping through the booklet Ms. Fuller finally finds the page of her desire. Shown on this page was a monument that was sculpted on indigenous land. The nations first president and General of the Continental Army George Washington, author of The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson, champion of the "Square Deal" Theodore Roosevelt, and The Great Emancipator Abraham Lincoln were the faces carved on this mountain. These men were not without spot or blemish, but are apart of our nations formation and history. Children of all walks of life (including these kids who live in Edenwald Houses) should learn the truth about this nations history (good or bad).
Out of love Ms. Fuller wants the best for her students. Whether it be through purchasing state-of-the- art textbooks. Telling them to use proper terms and pull up their pants. Even pushing their imagination to go beyond high school. Ms. Fuller knows that she may not be able to relate to her students socially, economically, or racially. However, her job is to give her students (along with their parents) a new and improve outlook on life and the world.
The story that was just told was one of fiction, but partly a reality. Reflexibility and the ability to reflect is important. Tragedies and circumstances hit nations everyday. But to condone the damage of property and the assault on statues of pioneers is to never be accepted. George Floyd and Breonna Taylor's death should not be in vain. Rioting, looting, and pillaging not only stains the legacy of Floyd and Taylor, but your own.
History will never stop speaking because some don't want to hear the truth. Of course America has a very dark and brutal pass. However, people from different angles of the world came together to fight for this country's independence and what it stands for today. The blood of martyr's is what fed the soil of this nation (both black and white). A lover of History myself all I have to say is if you hate this country with all your heart than find somewhere else to live. [7/13/2020]
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