Rock the Damn Boat

Taking a break from my dishes to enjoy a little white zin, apples and cheddar, and blogging. I think this makes two days in a row? Pretty sure that's a record.

I wanted to write about a discussion I had on fb with a previous teacher of mine. He happens to be my favourite teacher of all time, and a very good friend. I believe he was my favourite because he wasn't the same as the rest of my high school teachers. He was irreverent, left-leaning {in lectures, in private he does more than lean to the left}, let us watch John Stewart in class, and had us call him "Massa" {mostly jokingly}. Not to mention he and J would get along great if we had more contact.

He recently said that he was denied an English position in his high school. It wasn't due to his lack of qualifications or knowledge. It was because he didn't fit the mold. He was told he would

rock the boat

not be a team player

not play well in the sand box

yes, directly quoted

What???

Am I the only one who sees a problem here? The heads of the English department of his school are naturally members of the predominant church. This isn't an outright discrimination based upon religion, but what else is it? I hate that he is assumed that he has nothing to offer because he doesn't fit their mold. When did lifestyle become a qualification for job positions?

This bothers me for two reasons. A: I hate seeing people I care about be treated poorly and without respect just because they don't fit into the mold the others created. And 2: Teaching is my backup plan if social work doesn't pan out the way I hope. Whereas I am moving back to Utah for a while, I have a right to be concerned being one who "rocks the boat." Will I be denied positions because I have a left wing view on life? Will I be treated differently because I wasn't married in their temple?

Disclaimer: Not all members of this church are judgmental like the ones mentioned above. I have some very good friends who wouldn't deny me a chance because I don't belong. But the few who do act as such give them a very poor name.