I teach high school English and Journalism.
Big deal, I know.
But among the books in our curriculum is Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird."
It takes place in Maycomb, Alabama.
How I wish Atticus Finch could move to Buffalo Grove.
Perhaps the most famous quote in the book is when Atticus talks with young Scout about understanding people.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
Great advice.
There are those who should heed this advice -- maybe some newcomers to the Village Board.
You know the kind -- the one's who arrive with their own agenda and no homework to back it up.
The one's who want to throw daggers because they think they are right and know everything.
If only they took time to step back and climb into someone's skin and walk around in it.
There's a lot to be said for respect. A lot.
My students come from all over the world -- literally -- China, Korea, Mexico, Viet Nam, Poland, Bosnia, Pakistan, Iraq -- the list goes on.
They are all different religions and sexual orientations.
While I try to impart a love of literature, the fundamentals of grammar and writing on my students, I also demand respect in the class room.
They know that if they have a comment about someone's race, religion, sexual orientation, native culture -- they keep it to themselves. Period.
And while freshmen will be freshmen, they have mastered it. In fact, taking time to understand someone often leads to wonderful insights via classroom discussions or papers.
They take time to consider things from another point of view and walk around in someone else's skin.
It's a good lesson for high school freshmen.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
It is an even better lesson for some freshmen Village Board members in Buffalo Grove.
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