'How do we Talk about Issues that Matter?'

   

  Some conversation need to be had no matter how uncomfortable it can be at times, in order to improve and fight for equality in systems there have to be continuous conversations about it. However, that doesn't mean these conversations will be easy, with many different perspectives there has to be a sense of respect throughout the conversation and people must be willing to go into these conversations with an open mind.  The exchanging of ideas will not be easy but it's part of being human, we all have different perspectives and opinions and it's only fair that hear them all out as long as no human is being harmed in the process, there are reasons why such conversations can be controversial but by remaining open to opposing sides there may be a way to find a common ground or even change some perspectives.

    When disputes begin it's mainly due to how much about the subject the individuals truly know about it, due to the nature of some topics it's easy to misunderstand what the concept is especially thanks to social media, it's possible for many misunderstanding to stem from online debates especially when accurate information is not given. A lot of heated arguments stem from misunderstanding a person's point of view and since most arguments surrounding civil right, politics, and etc. happen through apps like Twitter or Instagram, it's very easy for the meaning to get lost since the individual is behind a screen so no tone or facial expressions can be easily seen/heard. 

    So, how is possible to talk about such controversial topics if assumptions are being made? There are a few thing individuals should do when partaking in difficult conversations, it's okay to be afraid or uncomfortable during them but it can always be a learning experience and besides you may or may not change your original stance thanks to the new information presented to you. When engaging in these conversations always be ready to listen and allow for the opposing side to finish their statement, be willing to accept any new information that you possibly did not know about and if you end up wondering what such things mean always ask questions, remember as long as there's mutual respect then this debate may be more insightful than just shouting over whose opinion is ultimately correct. Discourse is important, the more we continue to talk about such conversations then the more we are willing to change in order to establish justice for the common good of the country, or even the world as a whole. The more we talk about issues that matter then the less we will repeat the mistakes made in the past. 

How is Teaching Portrayed to the Public?

     As I've taken courses at Texas State in order to become certified to teach, I've realized that my initial idea of teaching was completely different and I had a belief that education wasn't as complicated due to how media and Hollywood like to display educators on the big screen. In most films, there's often no display of how teachers were able to get their underachieving students to become the best and brightest that campus has ever had but obviously due to having a film achieve a happy ending, most films end up creating a "SuperTeacher" type of persona in order to achieve that Hollywood flare many films go for.

    There are many personas that follow educators in films and it's dependent on what time of genre the film is, most family films such as Disney movies, have this sort of "perfect parent-figure" educator that is successful in educating their class by being affectionate or passionate over their students. Most mystery films often have the educator be seen as a suspecting individual who could've been involved in the disappearance of a student, these are some examples as to how educators can be portrayed to the media and often end up creating stigmas that can potentially harm teachers in real life scenarios.

    Often the only individuals who know how difficult teaching can be are teachers themselves, and many parents who have these ideas that educators can just change systems overnight or make a significant impact on their children and their grades are simply misguided due to how media portrays these characters. Not every educator is going to be perfect and learn as quickly as Erin Gruwell from Freedom Writers did, but that doesn't mean that they can't eventually become a great educator and that's what some films lack, the time to show growth.