The Healing Power of Marvin Gaye

            In the 1970’s, education experts decided we needed to insert a values curriculum into our daily course work.  Through the years there were various curriculum packages, but one I remember was called, “Values Clarification.”

            Within the school day, usually homeroom period, teachers would use certain guided lessons to help students broach tough topics or situations, and moral dilemmas.  We were encouraged to help students get to know each other on a more personal level, building relationships and creating community.

            The year was 1982, and I was teaching high school Home Economics.  My classes were filled half with students wanting to learn to cook and hoping to sample what was made, and the other half were football players needing an ‘easy’ credit.

            It was the beginning of the semester, and as part of my Values Clarification curriculum, I had asked the students, one at a time, to stand beside their desk, introduce themselves, and tell one special thing about themselves that nobody else knew.

            “My name is Alicia, and I can say the alphabet backwards.  Z, W, X, V, U, T…..”  And the class politely clapped.

            “I’m D’Madre, and I can bench press one hundred pounds.”  And he flexed his muscles while attempting to pick up an empty desk and push it into the air.

            “Whoa, D’Madre,” I said.  “We believe you!” 

            “My name is Celeste, and I can speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese.  Mi ombre es Celeste.  Meu nome e’ Celeste.”  And everyone applauded.

            As we neared the end of the class period I said, “We have time for one more.  Bobby, will you make your introduction and tell us something special about yourself?”

            Bobby Smith stood up.  He was tall, with an athletic build and dark brown eyes.  He had the kind of personality that attracted friends like an ant to a picnic sandwich.

            “My name is Bobby Smith, and I know all the words to the song, ‘Sexual Healing,” by Marvin Gaye.  Do you want me to sing it?”

            And before I could take a breath, the class erupted into cheers.  He started to dance and hold his ink pen like a microphone.

            “Oh baby, let’s get down tonight.”

            “Oooh baby, I’m hot just like an oven.   I need some lovin.”

            “Bobby!” I said.  “I think…..”

            “Oh Miss, let him finish!  We l o v e this song!”  And two girls jumped up to chime in as backup singers, “wake up, wake up, wake up…”

            “Class!  Stop!  This is really …”

            “I can’t hold it much longer….It’s getting stronger…”

            And just when the class broke into the chorus,  “And when I get that feeling…I want sexual healing.”       

            The bell rang.

            The class filed out of the doorway, and I motioned for Bobby to stay back.

            “Bobby, I think that song was inappropriate for the classroom, don’t you?”

            “Ah, Miss, I understand.  I won’t do it again, but you have to admit, everyone liked it.” And he gave me a winning smile as he left the room.

            I did have to admit, to myself, that it was original, but I silently prayed no one went home saying, “Guess what we learned in Home Economics today?”  And I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who silently played that song over and over in my mind for the rest of the day.