Boy, was I out of place

"ImmoralMinority" (araimondo) 10/23/2018 at 20:15 • Filed to: None

4

22

I volunteered at a local high school that focuses on STEM education today. A lawyer I know emailed me about volunteering to help their “law lab” and I said yes without paying attention to the details because kids. As ot turns out, their project is to develop a policy initiative where they can advocate for fellow teens, which I discovered in the last five minutes of today’s afternoon panels.

So, the panel. These panels were a vaguely defined discussion of issues of import to teens. I did not originally volunteer, as they were looking for a lawyer who defends deportation cases or something very sympathetic. No one volunteered. I emailed my buddy and said I was willing to do it, but I thought I was a bad fit because I am generally the villian in those kinds of stories. I do not expect teens to love my many yarns about the good ol’ days of union busting when Bush was president. He said he needed someone to go, so I went.

Hoo boy, was that a bad room for me. CPS court judged talked about healing families and believing in the institutions of democracy. School district democracy education guy gave an inspiring speech about getting their generation involved. School counselor cried when speaking of homeless teens and suicide attempt. Human trafficking expert. Women’s economic opportunity. Holy shit.

And me. Union busting enemy of the working man. According to the 9th Circuit, legal mafioso and serial killer. What the hell was I supposed to say?

In the morning panel, I said that the government would not help them, that nothing good happens in the courthouse, and that I am generally cynical about systems and institutions, and much more a believer in the power of individuals to overcome the problems that are created by those things. No questions, let’s talk to the human trafficking lady.

In the afternoon session, I admitted that I had no idea why I was there, and explained that my work is all around particular problems and disputes, and I give little thought to issues of policy. Policies one way or another just change the board I play on, sometimes to my advantage or disadvantage. But beyond that I am not very political. I told them that sometimes you stumble into bigger things, and I told them about the Gerawan workers, and that the reason we won despite all that was stacked against us was that the humans behind the power could not resist the collective will of the workers. Meh, let’ s have the school counselor talk about his alcoholic dad and cry some more.

Never volunteer.

dogisbadob > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:19

5

I love t hat cat nail file gif

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:20

5

I’m not even important enough to be hated, so you have that going for you!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:22

1

That is an excellent collection of GIFs. I probably should never help with math and science because I might say “this is dumb and there is a table for all this stuff”.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:25

1

Homer had it right.

wafflesnfalafel > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:25

5

T here is value in providing a different perspective, (and that is officially the only Nazi oriented GIF that has ever made me laugh.)

“And in this corner students, we have a family hating greedy corporate shill.  Please give a warm welcome to the shill. ”

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:27

3

Sounds like when I volunteered to go to my nieces school and talk about the importance of public speaking and gave them tips on making the mundane sound vibrant, important and exciting, apparently I was supposed to cover some social aspect not show them techniques to get people excited about the blue solo cup they put on the podium in case I needed a sip of water. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:28

5

Out of place?

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:34

4

No good deed ever goes unpunished?

MossInTheUSA > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:53

1

Wait. Now I want to hear more work stories from you.

I was raised into the legal system and now judicial branch by virtue of my father, so even though most people think it’s boring , I love that stuff!

RacinBob > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:56

0

TysMagic > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 20:57

3

I know I’m in for a good read when I see your posts - thanks for not letting me down. At least you knew you weren’t the right fit to be doing it 

My bird IS the word > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 21:27

3

I think I already mentioned my personal motto: If you are good at something, never do it for free.

Maxima Speed > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 22:01

2

Edgy meme bro 

ttyymmnn > My bird IS the word 10/23/2018 at 22:26

1

As a professional musician, I understand that reference.

ttyymmnn > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 10/23/2018 at 22:26

2

God, I love that movie.

ttyymmnn > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 22:29

3

In fairness to you , kids need to get different perspectives.

DipodomysDeserti > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 22:51

2

Here’s ho w you handle the situation for next time.

aquila121 > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 22:54

1

I really loved the use of Will Smith from "Hitch."

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Phyrxes once again has a wagon! 10/23/2018 at 23:04

0

Fact.  Came here to post that.

npc58501 > ImmoralMinority 10/23/2018 at 23:38

4

With your shared e xperience , I guess I’m happy I’ve never been asked to go into schools to talk about being an engineer for a government agency . Problem is that I am a Ron Swanson and don’t really believe in government at all.

Watch the scene with the little girl and Ron Swanson telling her about the world of government. I’d do something similar and that wouldn’t fly in schools. I don’t think they teach that you can be patriotic and dislike your government. Sigh....:(

npc58501 > Phyrxes once again has a wagon! 10/23/2018 at 23:40

0

Punishment will always follow a good deed, no matter where it goes. A running flashlight in a dark parking lot.

punkgoose17 > ImmoralMinority 10/24/2018 at 08:35

0

Telling children about reality is important. You did good work.