Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Political Activism
In chapter four, Woodford explains the revolutionary activism of music teachers in the 1960's. During this time, many educators in music recognized and understood the political connections between education, society, and government. Today many educators are unaware of this correlation or worse yet are more concerned with their own career than their students' needs. The activism of music teachers during thet 1960's has a lot to do with the political movements of that time. Much change occurred during that decade and the one that followed because people were willing to challenge certain ways of life. Teachers have so much power in their positions that they often do not recognize. Not only do they influence the young and future generations but they have a say in education as a whole if they would only make their voices heard. How can we as future teachers plan to influence our future collegues by being politically active? What if teachers were required to have longer periods of training and were offered a higher sallary? If education were truly respected, I feel that the job of teacher would be highly regarded. When we begin teaching, can we reignite that passion for political activism from educators?
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I think what Woodford was trying to emphasis with his examples of music education in the 60s and 70s was that there was support by the mainstream for teachers' rights, as well as liberty and equality for all its citizens. The music teacher was defended and encourages, but once the political climate changed, so did the role and value of the music educator. Some could say we have essentially dropped off the radar of importance. We are what Woodford referred to as a "soft" subject, which has little bearing in a world that qualifies our knowledge by the mastery of the hard subjects that train our brains into formulaic thinking. Not every problem has a solution, which is what we wrestle with so often in musical and philosophical thinking. The adaptability of our minds is what can't be so easily measured. So in a world where we live by standards and regulations, is it any wonder that the music teacher finds themselves disconnected from the real world and political makings of a school. With no one to govern our actions (by testing and placements), are we left to govern ourselves? And does that cause anarchy in our own lives and in our childrens' futures?
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