Me.

Daily writing prompt

What public figure do you disagree with the most?

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Let me back up a bit here. I define public figures as individuals who advertise their presence on social media. When I was still employed by the YRDSB, I accepted that I was a representative of public education. I was held to a higher expectation than the median population (of Canadians). I was a public figure whose glib, shoot-from-the-hip comments could have unexpected consequences with my students — reactions that might arise years from now. When I was a public servant, I was “Mister Neem, the science teacher”. I had to teach content and assess young adults using pedagogy that I didn’t always agree with. Bluntly, the evaluation policies that I obeyed could infuriate me. Ask TS… I had extended, cognitive dissonance episodes that could make me a bastard to live with. I still make efforts to nurture, promote, monitor, self-censor, meditate upon my online persona. Rhetorical question: is the Paul Neem you know online the same entity that you meet face-to-face. Is Mister Neem the same person as Paul, the …{insert label here}…? There is a reason that I have numerous handles online: ScubaMan, PrometheanCat, pneem, paulraymondneem, squirrelnutzippers2015, PN, and PRN. I agree with my spouse — words have power.

DISAGREE WITH THE MOST = (Public Figures) = (Humans) = (Incorporeal Entities) = (characters from the dramatic arts). So, I disagree with Mickey Mouse, Popeye The Sailor, GI Joe, Luke Skywalker, Iago, Dudley DoRight, and Uncle Sam.