| September'99 | . |
This Journal |
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We finished viewing The Miracle Worker in English I today. I think most of the class enjoyed and appreciated the energy of the film. I was struck at moments by the fine silver light of this black and white print. Kids these days often insist that a film be in color before they will consider it. But I didn't hear too many complaints on that point. Director Arthur Penn and his obscure cinematographer Ernesto Caparros manage some very effective moments, particularly in Annie's grainy flashbacks to her own childhood (which feel like relics of some lost silent film) and in the luminous close-ups and shadowy sets. I'd like to run a course on film before (or in spite of) color...some day. I'd like to do the course because I'd like to think about these things some more. The juniors seem busy enough working on The Colonial Dinner Party, but it may all be seeming. I always worry about these long term projects - that they'll end up a waste of time, or not pan out (a problem with "cost-effectiveness", as those silly business types say). But many of the groups do seem to be right on task (as silly education types say). This afternoon I had the pleasure of watching the JCA girls tennis team in action against our team. Had a nice chat with Amber and Khara, but missed speaking with Dustyn because she was out on the court doing something. I don't know enough about tennis to say whether she was winning or losing. She seemed to be hitting the ball more often than missing it...and she had time to give me a wave. It was chilly, but I stuck it out until six - which is my feeeding time. I got to meet one of Carmel's players who was going up against Amber (name of Marybeth or Maribeth or Mary Beth). Safe to say that I knew more JCA people (maybe five) than Carmel ones. A reminder that I'm still the new kid... still in between....not yet really here, certainly no longer there. I don't know who ultimately won the whole tennis encounter. Both JCA and Carmel began their first Kairos retreat today. Carmel separates the boys retreat from the girls (though I believe we call them Men and Women). How do I feel about this? Without taking anything away from the very high quality of the JCA retreat, I have to admit (and now am free to do so) that I've always leaned in favor of the single-gender Kairos. First a little history. I first encountered Kairos when a group of us (students and teachers) travelled from Houston to northern Ilinois. We dropped the women/girls off at Joliet to begin the retreat with the girls of St. Francis Academy, and we men/boys moved farther north to link up with Carmel's program. So my earliest experience of the retreat was in a single-sex setting. When we brought the program back to Houston, we began it as we had learned it - boys apart from girls. After several years in Houston it was decided to merge the retreats, and I noticed a serious drop in the level of male involvement. The guys found it easier to lay back and let the girls talk and reveal and emote. They seemed to feel less pressure to step up and take a risk. When I began work at Joliet Catholic High (all boys), I was stunned by the intensity of Kairos for many of these guys. When JCHS merged with SFA it was decided to blend the retreats as well and, sad to say, I noticed the same lessening of intensity. Are my judgements clouded by some obscure mysogyny? I suppose it's possible (if I suffer from such an unlikely malady), but I think not. Does anyone doubt that adolescent men and women are very distinct in their social and psychological makeup? The "simple" facts of sexual attraction and boy/girlfriend relations (existent or wished for) complicates every interaction. Paradoxically, it seems that gender stereotypes persist more easily in a co-ed environment. Guys get to play tough, and girls get to cry...but not the inverse. Well, enough for now. I'd like hearing from people on this. Maybe something could develop in Chronic Relations. Right now I've got to think about some classes for tomorrow. |
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Maya Angelou |
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Chronic
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