From the Frying Pan into the Fire

I was reading some literature from my "Liberal Studies Reader" a selection from John Dewey's Experience and Education and stumbled upon this quote:

"Impulses and desires that are not ordered by intelligence are under the control of acidental circumstances. It may be a loss rather than a gain to escape from the control of another person only to find one's conduct dictated by immediate whim and caprice; that is, at the moercy of impulses into whose formation intelligent judgment has not entered. A person whose conduct is controlled in this way has at most only the illusion of freedom. Actually he is directed by forces over which he has no command."

This is, of course found in a context, that being the assertion that education as Dewey saw it was more about regurgitation of facts than the offering of profound educational experience that perpetuates further education and enjoyment. But the nature of this quote made me think on several conversations I've had with good friends about the illusion of freedom. Freedom is a tricky thing. When at first it would seem that we are free, all because we've thrown off by the bonds of "custom and established routines," as Dewey puts it in the selection I read, we find ourselves our own masters, seeking to fulfill every whim that we have. But a truly freeman is he who submits to another authority: society, love, intellectualism--call it what you like, it's what defines you. What governs who you are. It is the measure by which you set yourself. And until we free ourselves to submit to such an authority, we shall forever be in bondage of something.

MLK's World House

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and gave this lecture in December of that year. My favorite quote is the following:

"True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it understands that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring."

His lecture which has been given the title "World House" outlines a rationale for making the eradication of poverty, racism, consumerism, and militarism high on our list of priorities. Below is a "found poem" using the words from Dr. King's speech.

the deep rumbling of discontent
thundering of disheartened masses
lured into the mines
locked out of the earthly kingdom of
health, wealth, and
happiness
yearning for freedom

the chants of the conquerors of old
who came
killing in persuit of peace.
oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever.
dark storm clouds form

do we have the courage
to face the
challenge of change?
and say
with riteous indignation
This is not just.

how much longer will we
play at deadly war games,
before we heed the plaintive pleas?

the fierce urgency of now
tomorrow is today

Dying Languages

I was reading this NYT article called "Racing to Capture Vanishing Languages" and was stricken by a few thoughts.

Diversity is a concept that many people value, citing its benefits in its fostering of synergy in multiple perspectives and variety of experience. But few remember that diversity goes beyond race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. Diversity is a broad concept, characterizing the value in variety of any difference. Standardization has its benefits, but remembering the rich complexity that life offers is another very important side of the same coin.

And so it is with language. In the above article, the story of a documentary film crew is used as a springboard for much deeper themes. Their passion for preservation of ways of expression is something that I share; I ache for the death of yet another precious language. Why? Because a complex way of thinking is wrapped up in how Chulyum language (a Serbian tongue with only 5 remaining speakers) rationalizes this chaotic universe with words.

So I applaud the many efforts of linguists, language enthusiasts, the beautiful people of the endangered cultures across the globe, and their part in the preservation of the many diverse linguistic expressions.

Start at the Begining

Hello all-

After enjoying the entries of many blogs over the recent years, and being required this semester to keep a different blog for class, I've decided to take the plunge into the vast field of average joes on soapboxes.

Here are some preliminary thoughts about this blog:

I'd like to make commentary on the way we use words, and perhaps readers may be witness to snide quips or emotional outbursts about such usage.

Such commentary may turn political or social, and I will not try to withold my opinoin. What else is a blog than an editorial column for the every-man(person)?

I'll probably post note worthy readings, links to other blogs, and participate in networking to enrich my words with those of others.

And lastly, I'll probably be MIA for weeks at a time. I have a tendency to act as a pendulum on such pseudo-commitments as this. Relax, I'll be back in time.

Yours,
TongueTied