I was lucky enough to take three of Joel's political theory classes, little did I know when I signed up for the first on political extremism, I would be embarking on a journey that would mark the beginning of my own liberation. Through Joel's classes, I began to understand that Republican and Democrat were not the only two options we had. In fact we had infinite options in the pursuit of justice and liberating struggle. My main focus at the time consisted simply of "saving the environment," and I remember Joel's wise words to me at the tail end of one of his end of the semester gatherings for beer or soda with any of his students or community members that wished to come. I can't remember the name of the pizza place we were at, but I do remember Joel, myself, and two other students were more than several beers in, I can't remember the exact conversation that led to this, but I looked at Joel and asked, what do we do? How can we save the planet? He looked at me and simply stated "anarchism Justine, anarchism." I thought to myself, wait, that's a real option? And from that moment on my life was forever changed.
I teach now myself, and continuously come back to this archive for inspiration. I never had the opportunity to talk with Joel directly about his pedagogy, but through this site I continue to learn, and for that I am forever grateful. Here's to one final toast Joel - "War to the palaces, peace to the villages!"
I teach now myself, and continuously come back to this archive for inspiration. I never had the opportunity to talk with Joel directly about his pedagogy, but through this site I continue to learn, and for that I am forever grateful. Here's to one final toast Joel - "War to the palaces, peace to the villages!"