Across the classroom

So after hearing everything from the horse’s (teachers’?) mouth, Luis wikipedia page seems pretty lacking: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lu%C3%ADs_Alberto_Urrea

In fact, it doesn’t seem like there was any struggle or story at all. So Wikipedia? Not a good storyteller. Proof that you should never use Wikipedia except when you’re really desperate.

Oh, and I have that Calexico CD and I never made this connection. Either I’m a really bad fan or I’m just really really slow. You decide.

But I feel weird blogging about this since I can’t say I don’t like it (because it’s AWESOME), or that I can’t separate the man that’s
teaching my class (half the time at least!) from the young man that’s in the book. Also, because learning of Luis’ journey has humbled me. The success Luis achieved after having struggled for years is inspiring. Yet, your struggles still pale in comparison to the people in Across the Wire.

So it doesn’t feel real. Through reading and hearing Luis talk I get culture shock. I could hardly imagine all of the terrible things Luis witnessed, much less have the courage to go and help. It makes me feel like a pretty crummy human, because I probably will still never go.

So for humbling me and an eternal feeling of guilt, I thank you Luis. Maybe one day I’ll be a rock star like you.