Toronto Teachers College - Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

Page 35 text:

'v ik M 'N - 'X ' X N- , u 'YM s Q sk v. ' 5 S ' ' V N X 13. f, sn 2 FN T 3 Tix-,. fix yn I if 5 .X ' V, ' at if 'Q i Q i K ik 55,5 Q Q if , H v 3 ,,,, .M , A 9 1,-fy -,v N, N X A, xx, ,Niki X ll, 0f Wayne - The Problem Child My heart reaches out To the boy, to the shout To the screams and tantrums Of defiance . . . He would not say a word, Then hurl insults He was heard, by those Who didn't hear his whisper - Do you like me? WouIdn't print - yet wrote sin Couldn't read - see the blood The lightning and the Cloud, In the picture . . . Never ioining in the game To him, You all look the same. Never asking or showing But pleading with a grin - Do you like me? Emotionally disturbed, oh they heard They all heard, this policeman Demanding their obedience. His parents were concerned That he learn, he must learn Like the others with the giggles, Never trying nor replying But imploring - Do you like me? He sat alone building housesp Never homes - For Cinderella, a lofty castle Her sisters, a birchbark tent A laugh, then contemplation Removed to the safety of the white and the gray, From the shadows and depths of the children at play Giving their hearts, help and sympathy ln this land of mosaics, willingly ln this world where all are free, Silently praying . . . Do you love me? OLWEN ROBERTS

Page 37 text:

Think, Man, Think! L. C. KUHONTA Nowadays it is not uncommon to see people eager to follow what the rest believe, or the least resistant path, rather than oppose or think for themselves. They are quite satisied to have others do the thinking for them. Some are, perhaps, too lazy to blaze a new trail, others simply have no potentiality to tap, and many are too scared to oppose lest they displease the powers that be. Thus they are ready to follow blindly and resigned to master the evils of the adages, lf you are told to jump, don't ask why but how high, and Do what I say not what I do. To the latter group of conformists, surprisingly and disgustingly though it may seem, belong even some of the most highly educated persons in this world. It is no respector of degrees, achievement or ability, lt clutches at every- one, rich or poor, learned or not. Democracy in a supposedly democratic country is a misnomer when one reflects on the number of people who would rather conform than think. Democracy is incompatible with conformity and yet so many people who profess to be leaders of democracy are themselves potential conformists. Why is this so? Thought is dif- ficult, conformity is easy, and dissent is hazardous. One does not have to think in order to conform. Thought appears only when one dissents, when opinions are at variance, when reasons clash and opposing sides occur. Thinking occurs when one ceases responding in the affirmative and starts contemplating, when one be- comes aware of his backbone and starts using his rea- sons. Conformity is safe, it does not upset anythin-g. Everything flows smoothly, good or bad, right or wrong. Of course it should not be supposed that dis- sention and unreasonable opposition are the same, neither should conformity Kas it is meant herel be con- fused with anarchy. Dissention born out of sound rea- sons and deep thinking is diagonally opposed to total and unreasonable rejection which is negativism. Just as we owe much, as citizens, to our country, we owe much as students, to our Alma Mater. It is our duty to respect and obey both and do our best to serve them. In a democracy, however, the people should be dis- tinguished from its government. Similarly, the stud- ents should be distinguished from their institutions. They should stand out as individuals not as mere pup- pets or yes men citizens, most particularly those who are future teachers, future moulders of young minds. They should be free to express their individuality. This is necessary if our government ever hopes to pro- duce real leaders of democracy, or strong pillars of the country. Democracy is unity not with conformity but in diversity. It is the godchild of reflection, of dissen- tion and of thought. There is but one who could curve the claws of senseless conformity - the man who has the strength and courage to stand up and assert what he thinks is right, the man who uses his faculty and produces results, the man of integrity and of character. We are here in this institution not only to learn the modern methods and techniques of teaching, but also land this is equally importantj to educate our iudge- ment. Dr. Rizal, an Oriental philosopher once said, There are no tyrants, where there are no slaves.