Because you can't UN-know

Starting off in this course I know that it is going to be one that I struggle with.  I can't recall if we had the discussion about the "two hats" we wear as part of a wrap-up for our practicum portion or as the beginning of this set of classes, but it is grappling with where I fall in regards to my choice of garment to adorn my head that creates an issue for myself.  I have never chosen to put on the hat of an advocate.   Growing up I have chosen to stay blissfully ignorant of many issues.  As I went through college I met many people who were well-informed and passionate about a variety of things.  Instead of these run-ins with people causing me to want to join in on the cause, they had the absolute opposite affect.  There were certain issues I avoided even thinking about because they were so incredibly daunting.  Now, looking at that one could easily say that I fall into the throngs of apathetic individuals in our society, but I do not believe this is the case.  I whole-heartedly believe that there were other ways I was choosing to make a difference in my community, I however did not have the energy needed to tackle much bigger issues.  The idea of a bowl of worry is one that makes absolute sense to me seeing as this is how my mindset worked.

To expand on that I can see now that there are issues some people avoid 1. because they are so big, and 2. because once you know it is hard to not take a stance.  Reading in "The Failure of Environmental Education" I find the concept of functional literacy interesting.  I think many people might fall into this category of not looking into an issue too deeply because they know the effort it'll take to truly become informed.  As I delve into these issues I can easily keep eye on what will give me hope so as not to drown in all the doom and gloom that they throw at me.  What gives me hope is the fact that there are people out there who are so passionate about all of these issues.  I still recognize that my efforts and energy can not address all the problems we will discuss in this class, but I will find my passion and so will others.  If we all are continuously striving towards a better world in this way I know that progress will occur.