Our classes were canceled tomorrow due to a one-day general education strike. This has been an ongoing issue since we arrived and for the first time is affecting our jobs as teachers. We have been witness to various student marches and demonstrations around the city of Rome already. In fact, we wake up every morning to the sound of screaming protests at the high school next to our apartment. The controversy is over certain proposals made by the education minister Maria Stella Gelmini. Proposed changes include a return to a single-teacher system for most subjects in primary schools, the reintroduction of grades for conduct, substantial financial cuts to the university sector and provisions for higher learning institutions to become foundations in order to receive private funding.
In addition to all of these education focused strikes or protests that I am trying to wrap my head around, there was also a national anti-government, anti-Berlusconi demonstration called by the main opposition party. On my way home from teaching last Saturday, I saw literally millions of people who joined together at Circo Massimo - an area right by my apartment. I passed a swarm of banners reading "another Italy is possible", red, white and green flags, along with millions of angry left-wing Italians, who fear that Italy is headed toward being a totalitarian, fascist nation.
The American election is also a hot topic over here in Italy...Maybe not to the degree that it is at home, but I was surprised to find out that people abroad are relatively concerned with US politics, as it impacts the entire western world to some degree. Makes me really think how truly influential the US is on the world. Quite often when someone finds out I am American, the next question is who I will be voting for. Who you favor politically is not exactly private information over here like it is in the US. I hope everyone is voting in this upcoming election next week. Go Obama!
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