Teaching Politics at the Dinner Table

Monday we had the Annual Resident Hall Association Dinner. Brian and I accompanied our Hall Council Officers, Tracie, and their advisors to the event in anticipation of them winning an award for all of there efforts this past year.

Kristin, Emily, Josh, and Corey as well as their RA advisor's Walker and Jordan have done an exceptional job this past year. They had perfect attendance at RHA and raised over $500 for the children we sponsor through the Children's Relief fund. In addition, they planned hall wide programs that included tie dye, Wii Bowling Tournament, Poker Tournament, trip to Fright Farm, Bingo, Christmas Party, All Red Food Party, Basketball Watch Parties, and bowling outings as well as others I can't remember. I was aware of all of the time and effort these activities had taken as well as their desire to win an award as we left for the dinner.

Dinner was an array of interesting food combinations accompanied by conversation once again highlighting how proud Brian and I were of what the group had achieved. Introduction and speeches were made by members of RHA and then we were onto the awards portion of the evening.

Our Hall Council was recognized for their perfect attendance in the first round of awards. Then it was onto scrapbooks. Kristin and Emily had designed our entry with great attention to developing a scrapbook that represented all their year long accomplishments. They had worked one entire weekend on this scrapbook and were so proud showing it to Brian and I that we could not help but be once again impressed by the young women they had become in the past two years. So as the Scrapbook of the Year was announced it was with bated breath that we all were awaiting Pierpont Hall's name to be announced. It was not.

To look over at these young women's faces was heartbreaking. They had read the requirements, worked hard to meet them, presented their scrapbook to the voting committee, and were then disappointed by the results. As the awards for Hall Council President of the Year and Hall Council of the Year were given it became clear that our young students were not part of the "in" political group. This was also evident to our students. What also became clear was this had become a teaching moment of how politics can play out at any level.

As the murmuring of disappointment went around the table Brian and I talked to them about how they had played within the rules and kept their dignity. That we were proud of the year-long efforts in Pierpont Hall that had not been present in an prior hall council we had worked with. We also discussed how they might go about combating the political "in" group. Brian suggested they run a candidate of their choice for RHA president and assist that individual in garnering the votes needed to win. We also talked about continuing to work on asking for changes within the constitution of the organization so that their voice may get heard. We also talked about that sometimes we just have live with the "in" groups politics and see where our interactions with these individuals as assisted us in our own personal growth. To listen to the student's response to these suggestions as well as their own ideas gave me hope that this generation will be able to provide for themselves and future generations.

Who knew that a night that started with anticipation of a win would lead to a discussion on life and politics. That's what you get when you are a RFL you never know what you need to teach or what discussion will happen you just take your lead for teaching from Them.