Palais des Papes
09.03.2016 Avignon, France
I donβt know why, but I still remember Mr. Navarroβs AP Modern European History class and hisΒ lessons onΒ Avignon Papacy. It was an eternity ago but visiting this place brought back these vivid memories of how excited my teacher would get while talking about the βBabylonian captivity of the popesβ and the drama between Avignon and Rome. Β
Later in 2016, Mr. Navarro retired from teaching history at Mountain View High School. He had made a comment in his class, drawing parallels between Trumpβs 2016 presidential campaign and Hitlerβs rise to power in pre-WW2. A student in the class told his parents who then made a complaint to the school. The district made him go on administrative leave and this made national news. After all the public controversies, the district invited Mr. Navarro back but he decided to retire and not return to teaching.Β
4 years later, weβre in the presidential election season again and we now know that what happened to Mr. Navarro was just a beginning. His parallels are clearer than ever. So much is on the line this time. I never pray about politics, but this year, Iβm praying so hard.Β
