The Pink Shirt

Today was pink day throughout California.
The CA budget for education has a great big hole in it. The only way to fix the hole is to layoff teachers and programs.

The California Teacher association along with the support from the management organization felt that the demonstration should happen at the schools not in Sacramento like it has in the past. So we all wore pink to point out that when people are not needed any more they are given "pink slips."

Today was the last day that school could get out the pink slips. And many of them did.. but much earlier. Even districts like ours with a sizable rainy day fund felt they needed to "non elect" many of the teachers and professionals they paid bonuses and encouragements to come. This leaves a bad taste in many of these professionals mouth and it make teaching a significantly less secure job.

I have a marvelous pink shirt. Its an IZod. I got it for a song on Ebay. I am sure that some poor wife thought that a very nice shirt like this would be great in her husband's closet. When he got it.. straight to the moon Alice! So on Ebay it was very cheap.

So pink day.. I wore it. The reaction was pretty interesting. Some students tried to dismiss the fact that a male teacher was wear such a shirt. They said out loud.. you can't be a teacher.. what do you teach? As the walked quickly by me.

A para (classified teacher's aid) stopped by and said, "I need to take a photo of you wearing that shirt. I have a great pink shirt for my husband and he won't wear it"

All through the day I received.. love your pink commments.

I picked up Sue's prescription at Walgreens. A tough looking hispanic guy looked me over and gave me a wink.

Guys out in the parking lot shouted at me.. hey Pinkie.. and gave me the I love you sign in sign language.

I picked up pizza and the guy that owns the place pointed at me as I left and said.. pink and gave me a thumbs up.

So a pretty unusual day with the recognition of a big pink shirt on a guy in their midst.

: ) Pat