Alex came running off the bus last week announcing excitedly, "Ashley, I met Dr. Martin Luther King!". Ashley is such a good sport. She stands among the other parents trying to figure out how to contain Alex's excitement. When he makes it off the bus she asks him to explain, and he points to his substitute bus driver (African American) and announced, "Look - right there - our substitute bus driver is Dr. Martin Luther King!".
Thumbs up to Pine Ridge Elementary for the history lesson! Now, it's my turn to get into Alex's head and more appropriately generalize what he has learned (something that many kids on the autism spectrum struggle with). So...I've had my annual diversity training this week from my children who eagerly embrace the story of Dr. King each January. I've done my best to generalize it to the world we live in today. BUT...a new twist from Tanner offered very matter-of-factly, "Well Mom, since you are a girl, you know you should probably be pretty thankful for Susan B Anthony, because without her you wouldn't be able to drive a car."
What the...? Where did that one come from? Crap. MLK Day lessons I totally get and can keep up with, but I don't know a thing about Susan B Anthony. Yes - gasp, shake your head, be appalled and dumbfounded. Listen - I hate history. I got a D in History in 4th grade and it soured me for life. I just tune it all out. Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't like things I'm not good at (hello - golf!). I'd better leave this blog post and start surfing the web for a Susan B Anthony bio. I might hate history...but I hate being outsmarted by a 2nd grader even more!
2 comments:
I love this! My kids came home with all kinds of talk about MLK, but so far they haven't accused anyone of actually being him. (So far -- give them time.) I had no idea I need to thank Susan B. for my driver's license! Good to know! :)
haha! I share your lack of enthusiasm for History! I know I'm supposed to know about Susan B. Anthony, but if you quizzed me I'd fail :)
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