On Sugar Paper

So who among you is fighting sexism every single day? Did I hear you say 'me'? Or did I hear you ask what is sexism. Or have you been too busy to notice or you don't care because it is too pervasive and you need to pick your battles? Well, I have been there too, first not knowing what sexism is and then not wanting to fight it because life is hard anyway until I reached a point, where I said, let me start. Being a teacher I am very watchful of how I conduct a class where there are both girls and boys. The examples I give, the pronouns I use, the one's I call on to participate are all making an impact on the psyche of the children. One of my girls is an excellent sports person who has the potential to become a swimming/ athletics/ yoga or gym trainer. I once went to watch a cricket match where she was part of the team (only two girls in the entire team that consisted of boys) and I heard the opponents being encouraged to hit the ball towards her when she was fielding b...

Everyone thinks they can teach. I wonder why though. It is one of the first professions a person comes across in their lives which seems simpler and more doable than a doctor's, which is also one of the first professionals we meet. Or maybe because teaching and learning is a participatory process, hence one might think that they can teach, if they can learn. The sad state of affairs of education in the country, the fairly low entry points, the abysmal salaries might also all hint towards the thought that if that he/she can teach of course I can too. Let me tell you, thats not true. I have had some of the worst teachers while growing up and have come across some even more pathetic ones when I decided to learn something as an adult. Currently, I am learning how to swim. My coach is losing patience with me because I am unable to float in water and keep calm and breathe. He is also exasperated at my sister who seems to be the slow student. He adopts the sink or swim approach...