About 10 years ago I was taking a Sociology Class as a prerequisite for my degree. My mindset was just to get the class over and down with so I could get one step closer to my goal. The class was across the street from my house at the local high school.
The first day of class I was pushing the limits getting to class just moments before the start of the class. I scurry in the class hoping not to be noticed by the teacher. The teacher was not at nowhere to be seen and everyone was just chit-chatting.
Everyone started wondering where the teacher was and talking about when we were “allowed” to leave if the teacher had not shown up. A guy beside me started talking and drew everyone in. He said “Yeah I need to talk to the teacher when he gets here. I might as well tell everyone. I am a sex offender and since we are in a high school I need to make you and the teacher aware” At this moment everyone became quiet. I felt compelled to break the ice and I spoke up ” Thanks so much for sharing that I appreciate your openness. I am sure that was hard to say”
At that moment the guy that was speaking got up and walked toward the front of the class and then says “Hi my name is Jamie and I am your teacher. What just happened was an experiment to see how you would react to a social situation” He went on to ask us what we were thinking when he shared that information. Some people said they would guard themselves against him, avoid him outside of class etc. This blew my mind to know that for a sociology class the teacher put us in an experiment to get us to think.
This class was a seed of many that were planted in my life that grew a passion in my soul to learn to be compassionate and loving towards others. It softened my heart to not judge people by the other shell or even first impressions. Thanks Jamie for challenging me to love and appreciate others. Take Care Much Love
