Lions For Lambs

On Sept. 15th we watched the movie "Lions For Lambs". Here is my reflection:

TEACHING:
The professor in the movie was a truly passionate person. He didn't seem to really care about the subject matter he was teaching really, but about who was learning. I believe his stance on teaching is truly noble and admirable. He was selling students to themselves. He wanted students to see all the real potential they had, to do great things. Any teacher I have ever had that has truly taken an interest in my learning style, and in my own abilities, has changed my educational experience and respect for authority. I do not believe you can ever go too far as a teacher, pushing your students to do their individual best in life.

LISTENING:
The student intrigued me. He obviously had respect for this professor, and he knew a lot about the subject matter. But for some reason he was falling off the map, switching his priorities around, and starting to lose belief in himself. You could see in his eyes and in his fight, that he had a difficult time hearing his professor give him such kudos. As weird as it sounds, it is hard to hear good things about what our full potential could do, because it shows us just how lazy we really are.

POLITICS:
The movie really struck an angry chord with me. I was upset with the senator for not looking bad on previous mistakes, and for gloating in confidence. It made me hate the naive state of mind our country continues to play in. I was upset at the popularity contest politics has truly become. But then again, what am I doing about it? I don't ever read the newspaper or watch the news. I live in my own little bubble, choosing not to understand or change anything. So I really don't have a say in the matter, I shouldn't even be allowed to be upset about it.

The movie also struck a passionate chord in me. As I was watching it, I was inspired to be that professor, to engage with students and push them to their limits. But then as I walked away from class that night with a friend, we talked about how easily that inspiration and passionate falls away. We get pumped up during the movie, but then walk away and never really try.

Overall it was a great movie, with history, politics, and education all mixed into one.