Lysistrata 2/27

As we discussed in class last week, the vulgarities in Lysistrata are not the true reason the play has been banned and so heavily monitored throughout history. Though it may not have been Aristophanes’ intention, he does paint a portrait of a world in which women protest and actually create social change. This is the revolutionary concept the patriarchy wants to keep from us. The final lines of Lysistrata, delivered by Kleonike directly to the audience, are: “You who spread warfare and hatred and fear,/ Lysistrata’s women will soon re-appear/ Some high and mighty, some wash and wear,/ Lysistrata’s women, they’re everywhere,” (94). These lines can and should be read as a threat. The play encourages women to be politically active and make a difference in their male-built and male-controlled societies. Its banning for this reason reminds me of how The Hate U Give is banned for encouraging youth activism or a similar concept. The people who have power are never going to want to give up their power; what is best for the majority of people is often worse for them. 
One thing I have observed in my tutoring at Bridges is that these kids are very willing to open up and share the things that make them who they are if you give them the opportunity. Being there is about so much more than tutoring. I was struggling a bit to do a planner check with one student until I noticed she had a manga with her. I asked her about it, and she spent 20 minutes explaining that book and the rest of the series to me. Before you know it, she was showing me pictures and videos of her cat, and tik toks she has made of her favorite manga characters. Doing the planner check and going over homework was much easier after that because she felt comfortable with me and felt like I cared. This reminded me of Mr. Ward’s Open Mike Fridays in Bronx Masquerade. They allow his students to openly talk about what they care about, and Mr. Ward uses them to better understand his students and plan his lessons around what he believes will be most beneficial for them. 

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