Climb into his skin

I have just started teaching this book to my freshmen, and have been amazed at how much more I learn from a book when I have the chance to teach it. I spend more time in depth, reading and researching, but experience plays such a large roll in it. I handed out a survey to all five of my classes asking them to answer with the promise of anonymity and was amazed at the results. There are so many great kids that I associate with and all of them had their little issues (even without names on them, there are still certain students whose handwriting I recognize) and those who were hardest on themselves weren't just girls.

I have also become more aware of the power of words. We all make little statements to others, about others, which have absolutely not been warranted, but we say them anyway. Why is it that we can't accept that just because someone is different, that doesn't make them bad. I wonder how much of this has been taught and how much is naturally in us. I try to teach my kids that just because someone is different doesn't mean that they are weird or whatever, but they still make those comments.

As I was typing this post, this song came on my computer, which I think works well with this whole topic (it is one in my playlist on my blog for the two of you who have the tendency to read this blog and have any interest) It's a song by Incubus called Dig.
"Dig"

We all have a weakness
But some of ours are easier to identify.
Look me in the eye
And ask for forgiveness;
We'll make a pact to never speak that word again
Yes you are my friend.
We all have something that digs at us,
At least we dig each other
So when weakness turns my ego up
I know you'll count on the me from yesterday
If I turn into another
Dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me
Sing this song
Remind me that we'll always have each other
When everything else is gone.
We all have a sickness
That cleverly attaches and multiplies
No matter how hard we try.
We all have someone that digs at us,
At least we dig each other
So when sickness turns my ego up
I know you'll act as a clever medicine.
If I turn into another
Dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me.
Sing this song!
Remind me that we'll always have each other
When everything else is gone.
Oh each other....
When everything
Else is gone.

In all reality, and in light of everything that is going on with the crazy economic market, it would seem that the fundamental goal we should all strive for is, like Atticus says in TKAM, You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.