Keeping busy

I've been tutoring a Somali refugee. He's been in Pittsburgh four years. His spoken English is pretty good, but he wanted help with reading. He's taking classes at a community college, both ESL and preparation for the citizenship exam. We have been going over a printout (from a Powerpoint) of 100 questions that might be on the exam, such things as “What are the three branches of government?” “Who do we pledge allegiance to?” Evidently they repeat these in class without explaining the meaning. So we read, repeat, and I explain. I still remember the pledge of allegiance, which irritates me. I'm sure my brain could be put to better use. I am loyal to this country, but to a flag? That's just nonsense.

I found a mistake in one of the answers. “Name one of the states that borders on Canada.” They included Pennsylvania. Unless we've ceded all of Lake Erie to Canada there is no way PA borders it. New York is in the way. There may be other mistakes. Some of the answers are fairly obscure, such as, which amendment to the Constitution does what. I don't want to make a research project out of this, that's the government's job.

This Somali family lives in an apartment they have decorated by hanging fabrics and rugs on the walls and fabrics from the ceilings. It's quite marvelous. Last week when I went there everything had been removed, and it looked pretty bad. They are preparing to move. I think they will be in a new place when I return next week. I hope it will look as good. Maybe I can ask to take pictures.

Comments

[Mage Bailey]

You aren't keeping busy, you are inspiring others and giving back. So there.

[alice]

I hope you can get a picture. I'd like seeing it.

[Karen]

One of Bush's last acts in office was to give Lake Erie to Canada.