Pedagogical Criticality

This is just a place for me to rant & riff about things that mean little to anyone, but me. I don't have to use proper grammar & neither do you. Who speaks the "queen's English" in the US anyway? Say what you feel. Don't use the "N" word or any other racial slurs in the absence of critical thought. Keep the cussing to a minimum, and above all, "Trouble the Waters." Don't be afraid to make waves. Speak up! In the words of the immortal James Brown, "Don't start none, won't be none!" Start some!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Many For The Few

Visited Chichen-Itza today. One of the 7 Wonders of the world. The Mayan’s ancient calendar, which was based on their knowledge of astronomy, is only rivaled by NASA’s modern technology.

Truly amazing. Of course, it is sad to see the Mayan descendents scurrying about, peddling trinkets of their heritage to Western tourists for pennies. I’m not sure why we find so many descendants of such rich culture living in such destitute situations. Perhaps it isn’t them who are destitute. Maybe it’s us. Even after their way of life has been ravaged by outsiders; their sacred practices deemed evil and pagan; their land stripped of its resources; they are still a dignified, hope filled people. Interesting comment by our tour guide today regarding the practice of human sacrifice at Chichen-Itza: “Back then, they sacrificed a few for the many. Today, we sacrifice many for the few.”

Written by Frederick A Hanna