The Multi-Core-tural Forum

While there probably aren’t as many songs out there about work as there are about love, you don’t have to look too far to find one. Think of this one, for instance–and consider what it’s really saying:

I’ve been workin’ on the railroad

All the live-long day (Ugh…long working hours)

I’ve been workin’ on the railroad

Just to pass the time away (Is this guy serious? He’s just killing time?)

Can’t you hear the whistle blowin’? (Alarm clock)

Rise up so early in the morn (Would he rather stay in bed?)

Can’t you hear the captain shouting?

“Dinah, blow your horn!” (Breakfast is ready? Come and get it!)

Can you think of a good “work song” (interpret that however you wish)? What does it say about work?

Here’s a short, fun article that lists some of the “sappiest, cheesiest” love songs (with links to videos):

http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-010308-whoville,0,4697457.story

What do you think? Anything missing from this list? Anything on this list that shouldn’t be?

Complete the sentence:

Love is…

. . . the pits?

. . . what makes life worth living?

“. . . a four-letter word”? (Bob Dylan)

“. . . a many-splendored thing”? (http://imdb.com/title/tt0048316/maindetails)

“. . . all you need”? (The Beatles)

How do YOU complete the sentence?

Do you think you’re a good citizen? See if you can answer the questions on this website of U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They’re sample questions that might appear on the USCIS’s Naturalization test–which anyone who wants to become a U. S. citizen has to take–and pass. Can you pass it?

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/Flashcard_questions.pdf

It seems that one idea behind a test like this is that it’s important to know something about the history and government of the nation of which you are or wish to become a citizen. Do you agree?

What do you think should be a passing grade on this test?

Imagine the conversation that might arise between these two. Would either of them be critical of the other one’s views or actions? What might they agree and/or disagree about?

According to Jesus, in Matthew 5:3-11, “Blessed” are:

the poor in spirit

those who mourn

the meek

those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

the merciful

the pure in heart

the peacemakers

those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake

you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my [Jesus’] account

What does “blessed” mean? And how can the same word apply to all of these different examples? What links them?

I think most of us would agree that the Sermon on the Mount, from Matthew 5-7, challenges those who take it seriously to some rather difficult tasks. We could argue all day about whether or not it’s possible for any one person actually to do what the sermon says. But we could also argue all day–and all week–and all year–etc.–about whether or not this sermon could made into the basis of anything political. And yet we’re reading this text as our first entry into what is probably the most “political” unit of Core: Citizenship and Service. So here’s the question: when it comes to politics, is the Sermon on the Mount irrelevant? Somewhat relevant? Totally relevant? Can it be made into a political foundation?

Here’s a chance to recognize people for the “good citizenship” you think they exemplify. Can you name some “good citizens”? What have they done that qualifies them for this title?

As we enter a new unit in Core, it would be interesting to know what you think about the meaning of citizenship. How do you define it? Can you give an example of citizenship in action?

Jeannette Walls’ book The Glass Castle is filled with episodes from a childhood and adolescence that was not always–perhaps almost never–very easy. What do you think is one of the most memorable moments from her story, and why?