Dear Mr. Vernon,
We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it is we did wrong, but we think you’re crazy for making us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us, in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out, is that each one of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Does that answer your question?
Sincerely yours,
The Breakfast Club.
Labels. I hate labels. I struggle, fight, scratch and claw to keep myself out of the boxes that people try to build around me. It seems almost impossible though. People see me and draw their own conclusions about who they think I am, who they want me to be, who they need me to be. As I try to explain myself, speak from my heart about my beliefs, my passion, my heart, I can see the walls become as tall as the eyes are narrow that look back at me. Judgment is being passed. I am an individual and I cannot conform to pressure. If anything, I will run as far as I can so that I can be set even further apart. Don’t’ fence me in. Don’t begin to believe that you know who I am.I am a kaleidoscope. Bold, colors, sparkling and moving with each turn. You will not see me clearly because I am not content to stay the same. I am ever changing, twirling, swirling. Challenging myself to think, to grow, to become.After trying out other blog homes, I have decided to settle here. I don’t want to be a homeschool blogger. I was there. It was a successful start. I was even blogger of the month. After the recent call of a boycott, I began to explore other options, even thought I could stay there and be a witness. I discovered this weekend just how strong my convictions are. I am compelled to take a stand. If I stay there, I am submitting to the perception that comes with being a part of that community. I cannot and will not be supportive in any way of the Pearl’s writings. I had conversations with the powers that be at HSB. I hoped to get answers but my questions were evaded and comments were not seasoned with grace but with accusations and divisiveness.I tried a blog at homechooljournal.net and I highly recommend it there. Ron and Andrea have graciously given of their time, energy and resources to provide a free blog host for homeschoolers. However, I don’t even want to be pigeonholed as a homeschooler. At this point, I think I would like to purge the term from my life. Shannon posted that they are world learners. Maybe that is a term I could live with. I don’t know.
My life is too complex, too full, too interesting to be described by any one, ten, or hundred labels. I have learned that people see me as they want to see me, colored by the experiences that frame their vision. I am not going to go out of my way to change that. I am who I am and God is fine with that, even my kaleidoscope ways, therefore I am content. Either accept me, accept my testimony, accept my message or not. I am not debating, defending or deleting my identity. Converse with me, journey with me, grow with me or not
Immersed in the Mystery,
Cynthia
Related Tags: Breakfast Club, labels, World Learners, TTUAC boycott
Graceful Journey » Moving said,
June 5, 2006 at 9:44 pm
[...] I am going to leave homeschooljournal.net. This is a wonderful place to be but in an effort to distance myself from preconceived notions, labels and perceptions, I need to move away from a homeschool blogsite. Thanks Ron and Andrea for the service you provide here! [...]
Megan Potter said,
June 7, 2006 at 8:48 pm
I’m so glad to see you blogging again Cynthia – and to see you are following hard after your own journey!
Jessica said,
June 20, 2006 at 9:56 am
Hi Cynthia. I just found out today about the whole Pearl/Hsblogger boycott thing. When I saw your old blog, I figured this was the reason you left. I did contact HSBlogger regarding this issue and their stand is this:
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is a Christian homeschooling magazine. The philosophy it holds regarding the raising and training up of children is taken from God’s word, the bible. Parenting is a personal issue; TOS is not in the habit of telling parents how to train up their children, except according to Proverbs 22:6 (Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it). Rather, TOS is a homeschooling magazine with its primary focus on just that – home education (methodology, curriculums, product reviews, articles on the nuts and bolts of day to day homeschooling). God’s word has much to say about the raising of children; any bible concordance will produce numerous results when “child” or “children” is searched. Follow the Lord and His instructions, not TOS.
- TOS Magazine
I just wanted to let you know what I got back in response to my inquiries. I will need to pray about this because I have worked hard to build the Great Books Reading Partnership (fully linked to sites like Technorati) and of course my own personal blog. I don’t agree with a lot of homeschoolers there, in fact I dislike the fact that they promote certain curriculums over others or don’t give fair and balanced criticisms.
As a previous graphic designer who worked in the newspaper/magazine business, I understand that they allowed a Christian advertiser to advertise. I don’t think they should have to read every book or review every product in order for it to be advertised. I do still need to look further into Gena’s comments about the Pearls. I understand why you left. Do you wish to still participate in the Reading Partnership? Please email me and let me know…
Jessica (I despise labels as well)