Friday, March 08, 2013

Genuine

It was "Wax Museum" day at the school. Black History Month research led to biographies of some well-known and not-so-well-known African Americans. Students then memorized a short presentation, dressed as their subjects and became animated figures in the class wax museum.

Visitors to the museum walked up to a figure and pressed the red construction paper "start button." The student figures recited biographies of David Blackwell, Maya Angelou, Mae Jemison, Jackie Robinson and many others.

On one desk was a hastily written note next to the start button. "Out of order." Nearby sat a miserable Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although his speech was well rehearsed, this wax figure had melted into a puddle of nervous despair. The sign was a genuine expression of emotion. I smiled, offered a little encouragement and moved on, hoping that Dr. King might make an appearance later.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, my office friend and I looked up to see Dr. King stride into the room and sit in a chair. I pressed the start button and the wax figure literally jumped to life. Facts were stated in a confident voice and then, the wax figure smiled.

The message from our wax figure today was more than information about a famous American. It was about allowing others to see real emotion and then trusting the support offered. Pretty brave thing to write that sign. Even braver to allow someone to help with the repair.

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