Professor Zimmerman Connecting to Class Discussion

I thought Professor Zimmerman’s Athenaeum talk was very relevant to many conversations we have had in our classroom. Specifically, Professor Zimmerman discussed the dilemma faced by many K-12 teachers on how to address difficult topics in our nation’s history and present reality. His thoughts immediately made me think of our class discussion of the reality of MLK’s leadership. We know the reality of his actions to include many faults outside of his inspiring actions. It’s a very difficult concept to consider making heroes seem less heroic, especially to young students. At the same time, though, if we want to progress and change how people interact in the face of disagreement and controversy, I think sharing these truthful realities beginning at young ages will create a more open, cooperative and progressive nation. One of the biggest realities with Professor Zimmerman's comments about college campuses and everyday speech, conversations and attacks, is that there is no easy or quick solution to enacting change. Starting from how we raise our nation's children and educate them may be one possible long term solution that shapes how people engage in discussion and progress forward.