Lorde Post

    

I think that author Audre Lorde presented an excellent account of her experiences in “From Zami: A New Spelling of My Name” as a child with ‘special needs’ and the interactions with the ‘teachers’ upon her path who were there to both teach academics as well as life lessons.

One particular teacher who had a negative impact on the developing child was her Kindergarten teacher.  A woman who had a very ‘toe the line’ approach to teaching and who squished the creative license a child may take as they experience pride in expanding their intellectual mind.  In the example Audre gave, she was excited to write her full name out and the teacher found very little tolerance for the accelerated ambitions and scolded the child for progressing faster than her tutelage.

Lorde continued to share her experiences about teachers being frustrated with her for her inability to focus or stay on task, but there was one thing in particular that struck me in my core was the kindred relationship she struck with the amazing librarian who took time out of the day to read stories to her. Just like Audre Lorde, I found a lifelong love for books when a total stranger introduced me to the world of imagination. Through her patients and creative use of character voices as she read aloud, I learned to listen to a voice, not my own, but one that might mirror my thoughts, challenge my beliefs and even carry me away into a world I could never have dreamt existed had it not been for words.