To my neighbours in Blogsville,
I'm afraid that the time is coming when I will have to say good-bye. I am fighting a battle which is already lost. My enemy is stronger than I am. I am weakened by loyalty, commitment and a desire to do good. He, it would seem, is bereft of honour and his vindictive nature knows no bounds. I cannot compromise my school. I am up against the wall. In one hand, I hold freedom of expression, the desire to speak the truth and continue to do so, whatever might happen. In the other hand I hold my school's reputation, my Head's dignity and my own career.
I don't know what this person wants of me. I can only imagine he wants me to stop blogging. He is holding me at gun-point and in continuing to write, I put my school at risk. I don't understand why he should want me silenced. As a member of the profession, he will agree with what I say - I know that - without a doubt. As long as I don't mention political parties, teachers always cheer me on. They are inspired by my words because they wish they could be as outspoken as I am. Why do they not speak out? Some of them are too scared. Others have lives. Others still, know what I say instinctively, but are unable to articulate it. With no one to fight for them, teachers simply break under the battering we get from the press, the government, the kids, and the parents.
My colleagues are fantastic people. They work themselves to the bone for our kids. I admire their dedication, their diligence and the love they have for what they do. I read some people's comments on my blog and it reminds me just how little the public knows about what teachers do in our schools and how extraordinary they are.
I want to continue writing, but my enemy will not stop. It would seem that he will not stop at anything. And I am at a loss. I don't know what to do. I could ignore his threatening and abusive behaviour but I do not want to compromise my school.
For those of you who believe in God, please pray he lets me be. While I love Blogsville and I love writing, I love my school and my kids even more. I cannot betray them. So in the end, it looks like I will have to go. This isn't the end just yet. But I want to let you know that it is coming.
Snuffy x
47 comments:
Miss,
We'd be sorry to see you go. But I don't think there is any call for talk like 'betrayal'.
If your school is a good school, no harm will come of blogging about it. If it isn't, then the more people that know about it, the better.
Best wishes and much positive thoughts in your direction. I think you are doing a great service to teaching by writing about what is happening.
Ahh, delete this one, start a new one with a new name, We will find you because good writing is good writing.
There are people like this in the world and it is important to let them think they are in control. That's all it is, they weren't fed on time when they were an infant or something so they seek to control everything in the world.
It's sad, it's pathetic but they are more like a force of nature. Go somewhere else. He will not be able to threaten you from there.
Snuffy, You'll do what's best, and as yo are conscientious, you will protect your kids.
I wish you luck and continued happiness, Snuffy, and I want to thank you for the inspiration that you have brought to me over many months to fight for what is right.
I hope that you can continue to get the truth out and to encourage others that the world is as it is, and not as the Lefty ideologues think it is.
I don't blame you if you have to go undercover or stop blogging altogether, as I have some idea of the huge pressures there are to conform to BlairBrown's unfree Britain, but I hope you will find the chance and the strength to continue.
Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll try to win the next one for the kids.
And the next.
Blessings and best wishes.
NNW.
Snuffy, I want to wish you the best of British luck - whatever that means these days.
You have inspired me over the past years to fight the good fight over in my corner of the Blairbrown State, and I'm sure others have taken comfort and reassurance from your exposure and criticisms of the idealogues who threaten the education of your pupils.
And I'm sure they've been angered by what you have shown them: I know I have.
I'm sure you'll do what's best for your pupils and if that means you cease to blog, then good luck htere, too. Couldn't you blog anonymously?
This governemnt and its Left-wing intellectual stormtropers will stop at little to silence dissent, and I wonder just how many whistleblowers exposing its corruption, bigotry, and incompetence they intend to intimidate this week.
So you'll go on to win the next one for your kids, and the next, and I wish you well.
With gratitude and respect,blessings and best wishes.
NNW.
Snuffy, I want to wish you the best of British luck - whatever that means these days.
You have inspired me over the past years to fight the good fight over in my corner of the Blairbrown State, and I'm sure others have taken comfort and reassurance from your exposure and criticisms of the idealogues who threaten the education of your pupils.
And I'm sure they've been angered by what you have shown them: I know I have.
I'm sure you'll do what's best for your pupils and if that means you cease to blog, then good luck there, too. Couldn't you blog anonymously?
This governemnt and its Left-wing intellectual stormtropers will stop at little to silence dissent, and I wonder just how many whistleblowers exposing its corruption, bigotry and incompetence they intend to intimidate this week.
So you'll go on to win the next one for your kids, and the next, and I wish you well.
With gratitude and respect,blessings and best wishes.
NNW.
Sorry -sent you my good luck three times. Didn't notice you've got moderation on.
Doh.
Gramsci - the long march through the institutions. Look not to what you know of this man - a teacher - but to what he has kept hidden.
Qui bono, essentially. As you say he obviously doesn't have your kids interests at heart - if you still want to ascribe a noble motive to him he can only be working towards the betterment of an ill defined group at some point in the future or he could be in a position where he is not able to think through to the consequences of his actions, or he could just be a marxist consumed by hate.
Whatever - you are autonomous and can make your own decisions. I left the BNP for a quiet life but as a result of the membership list being leaked by types such as him i will make a splash when the time is right. You may find it more appropriate to withdraw now and attack later, quickly, decisively - but as he is only attacking now due to your current popularity and reach, you should think carefully about giving up your position, as it gives you power and leverage.
Just do what you think is right. Where it me, on point of principle, i would have to continue blogging as I would have been seriously threatened for it, especially as you don't have any family of your own (And as your a woman, so its not your job to be in a position to pay for them anyway, that would be your mans - but thats a lot of 'ifs' i know). Maybe you have a more elegant solution than just being stubborn though, I don't know.
Anyway, a bit about Gramsci from the BNP website;
http://bnp.org.uk/index.php?s=gramsci
". . .Many years ago when Karl Marx was wondering what social conditions would be best suited to bring about his revolution, he suddenly realised that they were already in existence. Poor working conditions, long hours, poor pay and poor diet etc. should have triggered a workers revolt, but nothing was happening. This puzzled his ilk for decades, but then one Antonio Gramsci solved the riddle. The workers were, for all the harshness of their lives, very family orientated, very Christian and very patriotic - which bound them into strong, decent, moral and law-abiding communities. So, having realised that in order to change it, you have to break it, these were the things that had to be undermined and broken down. This was to be achieved by ‘cultural hegemony’. Cultural hegemony is a way of forcing people to keep their mouths shut and their heads down by creating an atmosphere whereby everything you instinctively feel is right becomes off-limits in conversation. The aim is to target the key group (in this example, the white working class man) and put him in a ‘psychic iron cage’. In this way he’ll be forced to keep his views to himself and not speak out against any injustice foisted upon him."
Oh by the way, if you want my e-mail address again let me know.
Best,
G.
Right, miss, *Please* watch this, this guy is in a similar position to you. Its Adam walker, just been sacked from teaching. Just listen to him speak at the BNP conference!
Go to the bnp homepage here;
Then click on the 'on demand' button below the 'BNPtv' link on the top right.
Select 'Conference 2008'.
Then select 'Mark and Adam walker, Friday November 14th'
I admit I haven't listened to it all, but ill bet you identify with the first part which i have listened too, the part about how he has been attacked despite his results.
Ive just listened to about half of it and will listen to all the rest too. What a guy! If you like ill get hold of a copy of the DVD and send it to you, just let me know.
Best,
G.
"I don't understand why he should want me silenced. "
Because he has not an ounce of your courage, wisdom, or compassion. And he hates you for showing the traits he so sadly lacks.
"...delete this one, start a new one with a new name, We will find you because good writing is good writing."
Indeed. Your words will shine through no matter where you choose to voice them.
Snuffy,
I'm very sad to hear that this person would do that to you. Your blog is one of the most thoughtful on the web - and you clearly have your kids' interests at heart, something that I find hard to ascribe to the person in question.
Keep going as long as you can. And I'm sure one of your (many) friends in blogsville would be happy to host the occasional (or more!) post from you - even if it's under a different name, the quality will shine through.
All the best,
BB
oldandrew?
I have a couple of friends who are teaches, and I have an appreciation of the centralised dogma they have to put up with.
I'd suggest slipping some laxatives into this guys coffee for a little revenge. Hopefully he's keck his pants before he gets to the toilet. ;)
Have you ever thought about emmigrating to Australia? State schools have a lot of freedom in how they operate over here, and good teachers are on the skilled workers list for residency applications. I think it's always worth having somewhere else to go in case Herr Brown wins the next election...............
Dear Miss Suffy
I understood you had the support of your Head in that you had told him you blogged and he was just fine about it. Is he not in a position to help?
If it is at all possible, you must not stop speaking out. It is the instinct of dictators of all persuasions to stop freedom of speech. They want it suppressed because they are cowards and the clarity of your devastatingly gripping views scares the life out them. They are incapable of putting up a coherent counter position to yours so they simply try yo gag you. They are bullies, nothing less.
If there is anything we who admire you can do, please please email. Bloggers and readers everywhere must and I'm sure will support you.
With great regards
Andy
Snuffy, this can't be happening. Not to you. Not to us. Who's going to tell it like it is straight from the chalkface? Has our journey together meant nothing after all these years?
Greater love hath no man... You talk the talk but you can't walk the walk. So much for "my kids". When push comes to shove, it's time to take care of number one.
Please, Snuffy, please don't go. Change your name. Change your school. Just a few more weeks and it'll be the end of term. You'll feel better after Christmas then we can make a fresh start in the new year.
This is the Worst. Day. Ever. There's no hope for free expression any more in this benighted country. Nobody listens to the kids, nobody listens to the teachers. I tell you, the tumbrils are rolling.
Although I never knew you I'm going to miss you, Miss. Nobody knows what's best for your kids better than you do. If your Head faces an Ofsted inspection and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.
So long.
Ragged
Calm down! I'm not going just yet. I'm just warning all of you. I'm in a battle that I'm losing. But I will do my best to stay. I do believe in the truth. And I believe in you. Stay with me. Maybe we can win. We'll see.
Miss Snuffleupagus
Giving in to bullies is never right nor sensible.
You do what you have to do.
I am astonished. You make me think. You challenge my prejudices. You are up there with Cranmer and Dale.
Shit.
Continuing to pray for you.
One of these days my employers will discover my blog and I'll be up the same creek!
Much love.
Totally intrigued!
This seems to be running deeper than what is being acknowledged.
I feel an extended hand here in what you say, and if so I wish I could reach out to it??
What I said on Cranmer was before this!?!? CRISIS.
Be strong Snuffy, and pray much.
Sorry I have not being paying attention.
Who is "he"? What does he do? How does he undermine you?
But hasn't your head said it is ok? What has changed? Couldn't you just move to another school?
NNW suggested I take a look at your posting, Snuffy. I don't have the background information, but I am a firm believer in the freedom of speech and that things that need to be hidden are actually things that seriously need the light shone on them.
Take strength from your obvious support here, find some allies even and keep on keeping on.
Best wishes
The Penguin
Threatening and abusive? Whatever is this 'he' doing? Surely your head can intervene as he already knows about the blog?
Do you know who it is? Have they explained what they have against you and/or your blog??
Firstly Snuffy you must look after yourself. If that means stopping blogging then stop blogging.
Secondly, for most bloggers a blog is just a notepad where we practise putting some pieces together. I think you're ready to move beyond blogging and do a proper critique of the failures of the current philosophy that sells your students short, and get it published in a serious place that will have some influence.
So thanks for all the stuff you've put on here and I look forward to reading more stuff from you in the future.
Except, of course, we may not know its you.
Best wishes and thanks for all the blog entries. DD
Snuffles, I'm not really in the least surprised, only that it didn't happen sooner. The point of blogs is that it allows light and air into some places where many people do not want such illumination and ventilation. Should this blog end, I hope that you will continue to enlighten your audience via another medium. I know one of the biggest names in US blogging shut his down this summer and now sends out his thoughts to an email list. I'd love to be on that if that was something you were considering,
best wishes from Tuscany,
Tony.
oldandrew?
You called?
You've mentioned a couple of times that you have been 'rumbled'.
Perhaps you haven't said, or perhaps I've missed the posts, but what exactly has happened?
Was your identity 'exposed' at some point recently? Or is it just one person who is trying to do this?
I guess in the end you could follow Frank Chalk and PC Copperfields route, and jack it in and write a book.
But I sense you enjoy the job more than they....
Teachers are scum, frequently perverts, petty tyrants. State schooling turns people into demoralised criminals.
Am so sorry to hear that you might be giving up. Have only just found your blog tonight, but you must do what you feel is best.
Lola
Please keep blogging, I for one want to know what is happening in our schools and you tell the tale so well. Good luck, my thoughts are with you.
Thanks to all of you for your kinds comments. It is heartening and makes me want to continue blogging.
Desperately un pc- but If you're one tenth of the woman I read you as you have lots of ex pupils who now they're in the real world know you for honesty, know what you tried to do for them, and respect you for it. Maybe some of them could help? They just need a name, maybe an address.
I would be sad to see you go. Sad to see you bullied when you are obviously so strong, but trapped by ridiculous dogma. Your writing is eye opening to those of us outside your world, obviously true and threatening to some inside it. Perhaps Monday Books would be a good next move, but I would never have picked up or bought the 'not yet written' book the way I started reading here. Ha, like you have time anyway.
All the best to you.
I am so sorry to hear about your troubles and will be sorry to if your blog goes but you need to do your best to protect yourself and your kids. I will miss reading your blog every week and sometimes thinking 'glad its not just me!'. I just want to say I support you in your fight, just like you have 'supported' mine.
Turn the tables, Snuffy. Your bully (and that is what he is) currently enjoys an anonymity he is determined to deny you. If he is attacking you by reporting you to certain authorities then tell us who they are and rest assured for every poisonous email he sends, we will send them a hundred expressing our admiration for your honesty and obvious 100% commitment. I may not always agree with your views or your conclusions as to *why* British education is in such a dire state (you really should listen to what the BNP guys are trying to tell you about Gramsci, no matter the source) but that commitment shines through in every post.
The fact that a Black teacher has BNP members on her Blog expressing their support at all speaks volumes about you. You rock, Snuffy. And we're here to help if you ask us for it.
Hey, DSD!
I wondered what happened to you! I don't know if you know, but I'm 'British national party member' from 'BNP and Me', i just changed my name for reasons i cant quite remember.
Nice to see you again - last time i saw you was that sad post on a tangled web.
Best,
G.
Blogging is mainly therapeutic, once it stops making you feel good at getting things 'off your chest' then its probably time to take a break.
When the stress (of running a first class blog) has diminished just start again - perhaps with a different slant? As several have already commented - your writing style is engaging.
Will you please just write a book?
THE WORLD NEEDS YOU! Your voice is important, Snuffy.
(A fan in Japan.)
Sounds like a case of bullying to me Snuffie. Report them to the appropriate body, and let the discipline route take it's course.
I'm a reasonably latecomer to your blog, but have been inspired by your commitment to your kids, and your school, and candid approach to telling it how it is.
Chin up and Illegitimi non carborundum
Snuffy,
do what you have to do to protect yourself, but please find a way to keep writing and shedding light on dark places.
I read your blog regularly and I will miss your writing. As somebody involved in education, I find your insights valuable to me in doing my work.
Aaargh, don't go...
Sorry, but as an agnostic I can't pray for you.
Though I can say that you've created a superb and unique blog. As Orwell succinctly put it, you have "a facility with words and a power of facing unpleasant facts." [/pompous quotations] and in addition manage to do so with great deal of charm[/toadying].
You also seem warm-hearted and particularly, courteously patient even with people and ideas which a prevailing and highly suspect orthodoxy demands you treat as enemies. And you don't have to be a Christian to admire the wisdom of that.
I suspect that if the cowardly git that's trying to bully you into silence were to write a blog, it would be such utter worthless crap that only he would read it. Challenge him to write a blog.
Better still, if it's possible to do so without objective career damage: ignore the nasty, stupid shit.
He's part of the problem. You're not.
Don't be so wet! Teachers are a creepy lot, over unionised, politically correct, spineless, and finally powerless after a long retreat from truth and morality.
Take a look at yourself away from all these wet weepy liberals who have posted here. For once insist on doing what you know is right- if you know anything without having to question your own motives.
My dear Snuffy
Some of the comments on here are positively obscene. Yes, some teachers are perverts so are some lawyers and bricklayers and ... and ...
Some teachers aren't good at teaching but most try hard under difficult circumstances.
If you have to give up the writing then you have to, hard though it may be. You asked for prayer in this difficult time and you have it - oodles of it - for you, for your un-named school, for ALL the young people in your school and for your Head who sounds a pretty decent sort of person.
Loads love and hugs.
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