Truckface #14 by LB is Wonderful

When I asked our zines email list what they’d like me to order, our local Attack of the Zombie Soy Bot zine author, whose great zines we do have in our collection, said he’d like us to get Truckface zine . Boy am I glad that he did because I love Truckface!

I read issue #14 and was really connected to what I was reading. First of all I was amazed at how well LB can express herself to her students. She seems to be very clear without being mean e.g. when talking to a student about using a homophobic slur: ”Well, in this class, with me, even in this school, this is not appropriate language to use. We treat everyone with respect.” and – a favorite spot in the zine for me -  “Don’t call me man.” 

I think what I found most exciting and powerful was the way that LB seems so able to engage with the super difficult job of teaching in a way that is so honest and respectful and warm. She seems to navigate all of the rules and bureaucracy of a public high school, the hostility that often comes at teachers, the sadness about the pain of her students’ lives, the shockingly low literacy levels of most students, and more and she seems to still be able to feel joy in doing her job. She does talk about throwing up before school from anxiety, it’s not as though she doesn’t struggle, but she stays capable of joy. So inspiring!

We also got Truckface #15 in our latest zine order, and I look forward to reading it next!

-Jude