Transcript | Annotation | Source: 89-4286-C-3-A-2(8-11) (PDF)| Month Index
Remembered at breakfast time this morning to go to the medical office and take my Premarin. I tend to forget it.
Returned to cottage and started on journal entries. Phyllis Chaiken requested a typing job. She needed reports on Jonestown medical program to give to visitors. I said I would do it; she said she’d bring paper later.
Jim on public address system commented on fact Communist China giving aid to Pinochet Chile and Somalia’s anti-Ethiopian regime. His opinion is China doing a good job for their own politics but from nationalistic supports U.S. and Europe against Soviet Russia– reprehensible–wanted our staff to be clear on subject.
Went to lunch
Observed Jann’s class, then Tropp’s. Both were interesting. Jann needs more rapport with class. Dick using terms to foster socialistic cooperation.
Gave Jann a critique on her class. She was depressed. She feels a lack of organization. She seems very tired. I gave her some suggestions but she put forth some objections.
Talked to Carolyn Layton when she finished her class and before teachers’ meeting. I asked her about my journal manuscripts. The typed ones in her custody and some later ones sent to her are in a “safe place.” She does not know about the notes and drafts taken from me at the meeting (turned over to Tom Adams) nor the ones I later turned over to the Temple (probably in April 1977). She thinks these may have been destroyed, as the Temple was afraid they might fall into the wrong hands. In spite of what Terri Buford told me, she did not know of anyone using them for writing about the Temple. She will make inquiries. She said there was no problem now about written materiel.
We joined the teachers’ meeting that had started. This Friday’s meeting at 3.00 is a meeting to report progress and problems of all the high school teachers. Apparently there is a Thursday meeting to discuss high school teaching methods. Marie Lawrence questioned whether this is necessary. I believe the discussion was to arrange it on Thursday on a rotating basis.
Tom brought up the question of adult education as a prospective project for me. Barbara Walker seemed to me to show hostility toward me in regard to her adult class in which I find she not only teaches vocabulary and history as well as conducting calisthenics for adult women. She has only eight in former class. Tom also proposed to take a socialism class of people who have trouble with the vocabulary. He will consult Rob Christian who is in charge of the socialism classes.
Bea Morton showed a sample of a full page report which each of us will have to turn in weekly showing all activities of more than fifteen minutes. The amount of paper needed was remarked upon. Perhaps forms can be duplicated in the States. Our high school runs a ten week schedule. In four weeks we will be starting a new ten week period. Dick Tropp said we should start planning for large blocks of time and plan courses actively integrated with work done in the community. This was discussed.
Students who are problems were discussed and disciplinary measures proposed and adopted
I went back to my cottage and typed the paper wanted by Phyllis.
Took a shower and went to eat. I left my poncho somewhere and couldn’t find it.
Socialism classes met at 7:30 – all members of Jonestown are divided into groups for this discussion. Introduction to Socialism by Leo Huberman and Paul M. Sweezy is used as a text. Only the teachers have copies. The classes are so close together with little barrier between them that it is hard for the teachers to make themselves heard. I joined Don Jackson’s class as he had indicated he would like some help. I volunteered some remarks twice, the last time on thesis-antithesis-synthesis. Something I said or didn’t say seemed to antagonize Barbara Walker who is in Don’s class. Dick Tropp passing by gave me a humorous rebuke for not having recognized her
A film was shown after the socialism class at about 9.00. I intended to attend but couldn’t find a seat.
Went home in a depressed mood, as so many things had gone wrong.
After the film was over, Jim came on the radio denouncing it and calling for a discussion on its flaws. “Some of you have such impressionable minds, you’d be following Hitler.” Diane came home with others having seen the film and said it was not good.
I walked up with Diane as far as the shower and went on to the toilet. Jim saw me on the path and called, “Hello, darling,” which made me feel better.
I went to bed.
Was awakened at 5.30 by some person inquiring which cabin ours was and didn’t get back to sleep.