This article is dedicated to my two students: Amy H. and Abraham B. who listened, challenged, and believed.
There is a certain magic about the martial arts. Like the Greek myth of the Siren, songs of principles and well being, incantations of courtesy, loyalty, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. Community service and love swirl around us as protective devices. Melodic tunes crescendo with countless drills and bruises.
Some might call this insanity, and to some small degree, there may be truth in that. But overall there is a beauty, and a magic. Much like Lord Alfred Tennyson stated—there is sweet music here. The word magic can conjure uneasy imagery, with its connotations to evil and the like. While this side exists, there is another to consider—the side that deals less with hocus pocus, and more on attributes of compassion, love, and honor
As leaders, our strongest desire is to inspire and guide our students. Though we have more experience than our students, we also continue as students ourselves, constantly looking for new lessons through life and experience. I have learned so much from students both younger and more mature that has confirmed, transformed, humbled, and humored me. One such occasion had to do with Harry Potter. I have heard about J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series throughout the years, and have cared very little, if at all, about it. While I support anything that gets our children to read, it seemed a little, well, dumb. And with all the things I have to do on a regular basis, I didn’t think it warranted investigation. Believing in an open door, and free speech with respect approach, when asked about Harry Potter from a student, I voiced my opinion, never thinking the topic would resurface again. As the school year progressed, one day in class, two students approached me.
“Miss K. We have a question for you.”
Their faces serious, my mind was trying to get there before their lips led me to a potentially scary place.
“Is it something bad, good, or in-between?” I asked with caution.
“We didn’t do anything, but you said we could ask … ” Amy stopped, her question trailed off.
Abraham picked it right up, “Ms. K. if we ask you something, will you not be, like, you know, all adult-y and get mad?”
“Well, that depends on what it is,” I said. “Go.”
As they took a deep breath and began, my heart raced. Looking around for smoke, broken furniture, and bodies, I thought, Man, what could have happened in such a short span of time.
“Well, you tell us to try new things, and we have been, but you refuse to read Harry Potter. Isn’t that the same kind of thing?” they asked hesitantly.
I had to smile. It takes courage to ask challenging questions, especially of the people we respect and care about. Never wanting to get caught up in the title or position, I realized that sometimes we may take questions for insubordination. Sometimes students really just want to know why. It dawned on me that our students listen to us more than we realize, but are we willing to hear what they have to say, even if uncomfortable. Point well taken. Hello Pot, this is Kettle—you’re black!
Right there, I had a decision to make. It wasn’t about saving face, but upholding the same integrity we ask of them. So I agreed to read the first installment of Harry Potter over the summer and take it from there. They were happy that I was willing to do it. Really, if something this small pleases them, why not? With much trepidation, I sat myself down on a Friday evening at the early part of June, and dug in. To my utter surprise, I loved it. I proceeded to devour the entire series over the summer, and I found some very valuable lessons that are on par with what martial artists subscribe to.
