Chocolate War

I was on my way to the AVR to teach a class of third year students when I saw EJ, an English teacher, who was at that time preparing his learning activities at the Mac Laboratory. He offered me a dvd copy of The Chocolate War. He suggested that I watch it but he expressed caution since the film, and even the novel from which it was based, was, to say the least, controversial. The novel, penned by Robert Cormier, was banned in the U.S. for some time.

The Chocolate War is set in a Catholic boys' prep school. Jerry, a new student, finds himself at odds with Bro. Leon -- the acting administrator of the school. He refuses to sell chocolates at the school's annual fund raising activity which was Bro. Leon's pet project. Jerry's lack of alacrity brings the ire of the school administrator. So, Bro. Leon teams up with Archie, one of the leaders in the school underground fraternity, to make Jerry's life, literally, a living hell. But the uncompromising Jerry stands his ground.

There are different levels to winnow through the story. One commentator suggests that the film "explores the cruelty and betrayal of adolescence."

It did.

It brings light to my present state as a nouveau éducateur. A month has already passed, almost, from the day I first started teaching. I realize that this is not easy stuff. I find dealing and relating with students half my age a very challenging task. It is not easy to relate with adolescents -- well, my adolescent years were not easy also. At one time, I was saying to myself that I ought to visit my high school alma mater and say sorry to the teachers for whom I brought about headaches and heartaches. There isjust so much energy and gusto in teenagers. It is difficult to get their attention and to make them focus on the task at hand.

And I think the commentator is right to say so. There is cruelty and betrayal in adolescence. But it is not because adolescents are cruel. It is just not easy for them. In their eyes, life is difficult. Family concerns, pressures from peers, stress brought about by the future, relationships, identity crisis converge in this area of their life.

Life, for them and as it was for me, is difficult. More than a chocolate war, they are in a war.

As an educator, building trust is of high importance. Sincerity is necessary. In the end it is not about discipline or making their crooked lines straight. It is about journeying with them, nurturing the light. To be an educator, is to be a beacon of hope for them.