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My Zoom Opinion: To Say or Not? Dr. Sue Positive Entertainment

My Zoom Opinion: To Say or Not? Dr. Sue Positive Entertainment: (How I Got Kicked Out of Zoom Class)

This Blog Post needs my short personal bio, so here goes. I’ve been an English/Theater Professor/Writer for over thirty years. (I stopped teaching about the time the pandemic hit in early 2020.) I have close relationships with some of my former students and a connection with my former college. I also have opinions.

Anyone who wants to keep a job (as I certainly did) knows that you sometimes
swim in shark-infested waters. You learn to keep some of your opinions to yourself – especially in group meetings. This is especially true if you don’t have job security (which in academia means tenure).

But if you never say what you truly feel, your calculated, tactful silence tends
to chip away at your self-esteem. Over time, those little bits of your true self get lost. Instead of the smart, vibrant, outspoken, fully alive person you used to be, you wind up as a weak, sad, timid ghost.

As any English/Theater Teacher, Actor, Theater Pro, or Amateur Nerd knows, the subject of ghosts brings us to… William Shakespeare! My main go-to ghost is Hamlet’s dead dad – Hamlet Senior, who gets the action (and non-action) into high gear. 

Prince Hamlet, the hero of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, has a spooky, but motivational conversation with King Hamlet (the ghost). Ghost Hamlet tells Live Hamlet that his Uncle Claudius, the dead king’s brother, murdered him, married his widow (Queen Gertrude –Hamlet’s mom), and is now King of Denmark. Ghost Hamlet tells Hamlet to seek Revenge!  Our hero Hamlet immediately… thinks about it!

What does this have to do with my getting kicked out of Zoom Class?

Like me, Hamlet talks to people (ghosts) who aren’t physically there. In my case, it’s Zoom Chats (the sidebars on Zoom classes and meetings where you type your thoughts to people who are somewhere in cyberspace. After Zoom, they vanish, like ghosts).

In Shakespeare’s play, old King Hamlet’s Ghost issues a call to action: kill your uncle!  Hamlet decides that  Ghost is right, and he should kill King Claudius – but on the other hand…. What if the ghost is wrong – or a fake ghost ? Instead of springing into action, Hamlet springs into depression. People think he’s mad (and maybe he is – or not). After several murders and suicides (Hamlet’s girlfriend, her father, her brother, Hamlet’s friends, his mother, Claudius, and, finally, Hamlet himself), the stage is littered with bodies, and the show is over.  Denmark has a new King, and I’m ready for a coffee break (preferably with a Danish pastry because Shakespearean tragedy gives me an appetite).

How did a Shakespeare semi-scholar (me) get kicked out of Zoom class?  

My Zoom class was not actually about Shakespeare, it was a series about musical theater, which tends to be less tragic (except for investors when the show closes on opening night).  Our Teacher showed video clips from Broadway shows, led discussions in the Chat feature (where we post comments), and called himself an “Expert”. I didn’t bother looking up his academic credentials or affiliation, because I didn’t care. I already have a Ph.D. in Theater, so I don’t need academic credit. I was interested in the subject matter and what seemed to be an entertaining, informative experience. As long as I was enjoying the class, I didn’t need to know his professional history. I paid for an “All-Access Pass” which gave me full admission to his series of Zoom classes and videos. (Scroll down for my own Video –  wearing my Shakespeare Hat and talking to Teddly Bear Puppet).

So there we were, several classes into the series, watching video clips and posting comments in the Chat.  Most of the comments were posted to “Everyone” – which means everyone can read them.  The other option is “Private” – which means only you and your chosen Zoom attendee reads your post. The “Expert” controlled the Chat. I usually posted supportive comments, but if I disagreed, I said so briefly without negative personal remarks. 

I never posted political comments until… Cabaret.  The musical Cabaret is set in Germany during Hitler’s rise to power. The in-cabaret performances echo the real-world events happening off-stage – including the growing threat of the anti-Semitic, violent Nazi regime.  During the class, the teacher said that the Nazi idea of the German “folk” (ancient Germanic tribes) excluded all non-Aryans (like Jews). 

TrumpI thought there was a parallel between the myth of the German “folk” and the Trumpian idea of the United States as an Anglo-Saxon country. (The Anglo-Saxons were Germanic tribes.)

I started posting a brief comment in the Chat about “Trump notion of the USA as an Anglo…” Then I accidentally pushed “Enter” which posted my half-sentence.

Before I could continue, the Teacher cut me off, and announced to “Everyone” in the Chat that if I posted political comments, I would be thrown out of class!

At first I thought: is this a mistake? He can’t mean me! Throw me out of class for one, brief remark?  In my long career as an educator, students have said and done much more shocking things! I don’t throw them out of class. I usually ask to speak with them privately so we can solve the problem without a public confrontation.  When this Zoom teacher threatened me and posted it to “Everyone” in the Chat, I felt embarrassed and attacked.  I did not want to escalate the situation, so I didn’t post anything in reply.   After a while, the class was over, with the Teacher soliciting and getting compliments about his class from some of my fellow students.

After class, I felt conflicted. Saying nothing would avoid immediate conflict. But keeping silent made me feel powerless and depressed.  Why should this Zoom “expert” feel enttitled to embarrass me in front to the class – and for what – one half-sentence of a political opinion that he did not want to hear?

I decided to write an E-Mail to the Teacher and CC my E-mail it to his “Staff “– which probably meant his Assistant. Based on his class behavior, I figured that he might distort what actually happened.  If I CC’d his Assistant, who seemed reasonable, she would have my written record. I also figured that since the Assistant was an African-American woman, she was more likely to understand my feelings than the White, male teacher.  Here is my E-mail to the Teacher – CC’d to the Assistant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG66DsrQGLA

Be Your True Self – Dr. Sue Positive Entertainment

Be Your True Self – Dr. Sue Positive Entertainment

I recently posted my latest YouTube video about my original musical “SssWitch” www.SssWitch.net

The video story-song includes two songs from “SssWitch” www.SssWitch.net I share some of the story and a brief explanation of the themes and ideas. In my explanation, I say, “Being yourself is True Magic.”

Dr. Sue Sings “SssWitch” songs, tells story, and gives positive advice!

I always invite comments on my YouTube videos, and this time I got one that really touched and inspired me. I’d like to share the comment – with my reaction.

“Yes being yourself is True Magic. So many people living lives of lies… It’s nothing like experiencing the magic of living your truth. That’s what you do Dr. Sue. 💕” –

– source is private (until I receive permission to share)

I was touched to read a comment that showed that the viewer really paid attention and understood what I was trying to say. “SssWitch” is a fantasy musical – a modern twist on Cinderella, with entertaining elements like a funny Witch. It’s also about real human issues – especially the challenge of living an authentic life based on your true feelings and talents.

Sometimes our true feelings are about gender, sexuality, or relationships (past or present). Sometimes our true feelings are about religion or family values – how we were raised and what we really believe and want. Sometimes our true feelings involve telling a friend, relative, co-worker or boss how we really feel.

Sharing our true feelings can be hard, and we sometimes pick and choose what to say and how to say it. But if we don’t share our personal truth with someone we want to be close to, then we can’t have intimacy. (I’ll talk more about this when we get to another song from “SssWitch” called “Won’t You Let Me Love You?”)

My viewer also said,

“So many people living lives of lies… It’s nothing like experiencing the magic of living your truth.That’s what you do Dr. Sue. 💕” –

“Living lives of lies” is unfulfilling and frustrating. It also damages our self-esteem. If we hide our true feelings, then no matter how much external success we may have, we alway know that we are not being valued for our true selves – only for the false mask that we put on to please someone else – someone or something that we imagine as all-powerful and much more important that we are.

I hope that this Blog will offer some helpful ways to look at our lives – plus some entertainment. Just like a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, we can become our beautiful, true selves!

SssWitch Logo
SssWitch Logo

Learning to Love Yourself is the True Magic!

Please write to me by posting comments on my Blog or YouTube video Channel:

Here’s my YouTube Channel: www.YouTube.com/drsuecomedian

Here is the link to my SssWitch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2lEhcg1yq8

Here is Positive Advice for Your Day!

The real Magic is Transforming Your Life! – SssWitch!

Dr. Sue Logo


Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Entertaining Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator-Singer/Songwriter.

Book: “Queens of Comedy”
(Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, and more!)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“SWitch!” Original Play & Musical www.switchthemusical.com

Dr. Sue YouTube Channel
youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue Help Center Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue: Free Legal Help NYC Positive Entertainment

Share a Ride – Save five thousand dollars ($5,000) !

You can – when you learn to Be Your Brightest Friend!

Sharing a ride is the bright way to travel around New York City. It’s less stressful than the subway and less expensive than solo rides. I use Via Car Service ridewithvia.com (let me know if I should refer you).

Save a Hat is what my fellow passenger did when my favorite hat fell on the floor – black side up and hard to see. As she was exiting, she said “Your hat fell on the floor.” Sure enough – there it was with its golden treble clef that symbolizes my love of music! Her behavior told me more about her character than any internet profile or job resume! And it started my morning with faith in human nature – and some members of the legal profession. You see, she spoke in an intelligent manner, and she exited our Via Car near the Manhattan Courthouse at 9 am. This told me that she probably worked in some legal capacity….right?

Now the question you’re all waiting for…. how did I save five-thousand dollars ($5,000) ?

I was on my way to the Brooklyn Surrogate Court to pursue my own case. I was representing myself because lawyers are expensive, and I figured I could do my own digging and get the help I needed – at least, for now. If I needed a lawyer – I would cross that expensive bridge when I came to it (probably a $5,000 retainer…and billing at $400/hour).

Guess what? The Brooklyn Surrogate Court (and many other courts) have a Help Center for people who don’t have lawyers. Of course, I had to figure out to solve some tricky issues (like confusing legal forms, finding a capable, convenient process server (Thanks EmpireLegalService.com ) – and find free Legal Help (scroll down for the link)

My first court date was in the pouring rain when I was on crutches! But my dear friend/stained glass artist & repairs Dennis Lynch (http://astainedglass.com/ ) drove me in his car (which he named “Sue” – after me). We drove in “A Car Named Sue” to the handicapped entrance of the courthouse. I staggered in on my crutch with an injured knee but a determined mind! I looked pathetic in the courtroom – so much the better!

What about saving five-thousand dollars ($5,000)?

That’s how much my opponent’s lawyer charged today – just for showing up in court and a few hours of easy work. I would have had to pay my own lawyer much more money (for more time). But despite the hard work, it’s been an exciting challenge – and I learned a lot about free legal help!

Here’s a link to free Legal Help: https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/GoingToCourt/gettingHelp.shtml

Can you do it too? I can’t be sure. But for sure, you can do a lot more than you think you can – just Be Your Brightest Friend!

 

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.

Book: “Queens of Comedy”
(Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers,
Phyllis Diller, and more!) www.smashwords.com/books/view/219367

Musical: “SssWitch”: www.ssswitch.net

 www.YouTube.com/drsuecomedian 
https://www.youtube.com/feed/my_videos