As of this writing, my "A Teacher's Letter to Obama: A Lesson in Irony" has received over 88,000 views. Very cool. Sadly, when I sent my letter to the man himself at The White House, hoping I might really reach him, I received a very sad reply. I received a form letter. I doubt very much that Mr. Obama even saw my letter. If he did, he didn't take it seriously.
Yes, that's what I got. A form letter. A piece of propaganda. As my friend, Brett, pointed out, it almost reads like a long rejection letter: "We regret to inform you that your concerns do not meet our current campaign needs."
I am appalled, but I am not surprised.
I ended my original letter by saying, "I hope you will listen. I hope you understand our frustration a little better now. If not, that would be ironic." The English teacher in me almost has to appreciate this added, warped layer of irony. Almost-- but not quite.
Oh, well. Who should I send my ironic letter to next? I could start collecting form letters.
Cool, I scored a mention on The Real Mr. Fitz!! I enjoyed talking with you earlier. Never give up ~ never give in ...
ReplyDeleteMr. Fitz,
ReplyDeleteI sent letters from 107 teachers and parents to President Obama, bound into a binder. I collected them on a Facebook group called Teachers' Letters to Obama that grew to more than 3000 members. I never even got a form letter back from President Obama. We did get a response, and eventually a phone meeting with Secretary Duncan, but it was similarly devoid of real engagement with the concerns we were raising. I do not know what it will take to break through the illusion of reform the President has promoted, but we haven't done it yet.
Anthony Cody
I've been following your work,Cody, and admire it greatly. I can only imagine how frustrating being brushed off in person must have been. Have you heard of Susan Ohanian? She's fighting hard against what she calls the Standardistos, and either she or someone she quoted said we just have to keep making noise,and eventually, like a swarm of mosquitoes, we'll get noticed. I don't like being compared to a mosquito, but I know what she means. We may seem small and pesky, but if we keep buzzing, we'll get hard to ignore. Of course, the analogy can go too far-- I don't particularly wish to be swatted...
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting!
I would be interested to find out what the teacher's union thinks about your letter to President Obama - and his response.
ReplyDelete