Student who I have a great relationship with (she transferred here from nyc and has big dreams) told me she’s about to turn 18 and was really looking forward to voting but now she won’t b/c she can’t support any of the candidates.
Occasionally as a teacher time seems to stop as I consider how to respond to things students say or ask. This was one.
I settled on the importance of down ballot races, local elections. And Im certain she wants to discuss presidential further.
@LaurelGreen Possibly useful frames:
- voting is harm-reduction.
- voting is a matter of choosing your opponent. When you're going to e.g., demonstrate, or even just call/e-mail to try and influence a politician, who would you rather go up against?
@rpardee thanks. I’ve always been honest with students about my political beliefs when they ask, while letting them know I support whatever choices they make. But this year feels more fraught with black holes as a teacher. I don’t have any M4L in my school, but do in my district.
@LaurelGreen ugh, the fact that that's a consideration at all is just so shitty. God bless you for teaching in these times... 🙏