Yesterday I had the privilege of seeing the movie, Wonder. I had read the book by R. J. Palacio some years ago (a copy sits on my desk today), and I was anxious for the theatrical release. I was not disappointed.
Wonder is the story of 10-year-old Auggie, a boy with a genetic facial difference.
We first meet Auggie as he wraps his mind around the concept of entering school for the very first time as a fifth grader. Until then he had been protectively homeschooled. Continue reading
As we pass through yet another period of increased racial tension in our nation’s history, we hear a lot of conversation around the idea of “privilege.” Privilege is understood differently by different people. For the purpose of this essay, privilege is the set of blessings we enjoy, which are not a result of our own hard work or our personal choices.
YouTube has several videos centered on privilege, some much better than others. Recently I came across a video published by Creator Studios on October 11, 2017. I will share the link below, but first I would like to share some thoughts with you.
When the Second Continental Congress voted for independence in 1776, they proclaimed, “All men are created equal.” But are we? Continue reading
Burger King has a must-see video on YouTube. It has earned nearly four million hits in less than a month. You’re going to want to see it, but before you do, please read…
Burger King employees filmed an experiment in one of their restaurants where they bullied a Whopper Jr. and they bullied a high school junior. They wanted to see which one would garner the most complaints.
In full view of real adult customers, a group of high school students bullied another student—both verbally and physically. At the same time, they served hamburgers to adults which had been bullied (smashed) by employees.
Can you predict the percentages? Continue reading
We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with bad news. Bad news sells. Headlines and top stories scream at us of disastrous events. There is no escaping this fact.
We have a choice. We can focus on the bad news and become angry and bitter, or we can move beyond the stories that are so upsetting and work to make our world a better place.
One tragic headline hit very close to home this week. A first grade girl and her father died from carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a house fire. The girl attended Weddle Elementary School in Salem, Oregon, one of the schools I support in my role as a retired principal.
Alan deMeurers 