Mini-Essay: Who Are You Not?
An occasional assignment to motivate you to write some new material
It’s day one, week one of Summer Session A. Which means I have a new cohort of students. Which means I got to give my big spiel yet again: Deep Springs! Cambodia! Editor in New York! Quit to Walk to New Orleans! Middle East! Book! Now: Teaching.
Then I turn things over to the students. Tell me about yourself, I say. Your major, career goals, something about reading and writing. Where are you from?
One student wrote in the chat: “How do we follow up on that?”
The thing is, everyone today was so different and so fascinating. The jazz pianist who wants to be a therapist by day and give concerts at night. The guy who lived in Kenya and is so frustrated by the corporate structure of labs that he just knows he’ll go into business for himself. “I have none of my own ideas,” another said. And yet: He said four things that got us laughing hysterically. Why, actually, does he run track? I have a feeling we’re gonna find out.
I love teaching. But the worst part is probably hearing myself talk. The best part? Hearing your stories.
What’s yours? Whether this is the first piece you write for me or just the latest. How many years has it been since you first answered this question? How has it changed?
WHO ARE YOU NOT?