Author and former professor criticizes post-secondary education system

                BRANTFORD, Ont. –Author J. Edward Chamberlin travelled to Laurier Brantford for the Grand River Forum which took place on Oct. 19-20 of this year. Chamberlin gave a lecture and a discussed his book “If this is your land, where are your stories?” with students, faculty and the general public. Chamberlin’s book is used in many contemporary studies courses at Laurier Brantford and is mandatory reading for many students. His book has been released in three editions since it was first published in 2003. Since then, Chamberlin has produced two more books.

               

Chamberlin holds an impressive resume. He is a former professor of English for the University of Toronto, has helped to write recommendations for governments, travelled through various countries such as South Africa, Australia and Alaska, and even been a hunting guide. Chamberlin holds a wide area of interest, perhaps that is why he’s so dedicated to encouraging those around him to share the stories of their lives.

               

Chamberlin began his keynote lecture to conclude the Grand River Forum by sincerely thanking those who had attended for “taking his book seriously” and inviting him to be a part of the first of what he hoped would be many Grand River Forums. To students who have taken the time to read Chamberlin’s book, his modesty is clear. “Chamberlin’s stories are some of the most eye-opening I’ve read,” said first year concurrent education student Michael Lynn, “it’s incredible to see how the stories around us truly do shape the country we live in. He makes me proud to have the diverse heritage I do.”

Chamberlin spent much of his keynote lecture criticizing the university educational system for its constant overworking of students’ minds comparing them to the working hours of those in John Lubbock’s time. In the late 1800s to early 1900s when Lubbock was alive, many people were working well over 80 hours a week, some more depending on their profession. Lubbock was a banker, merchant, advocate of education and member of British parliament.

Chamberlin proceeded to explain that the word scholar in Latin means leisure; something university students aren’t getting to experience and which is greatly hurting their ability to experience life in all of its many aspects. While discussing John Lubbock and his effect on the political, social and educational realms in Britain, Chamberlin explained Lubbock’s belief “that doing nothing was as important as doing something.”  Chamberlin expressed that leisure liberates our minds and allows us to broaden our horizons of thinking, knowledge and understanding, as well as drives us to do those activities we love and to change the world while doing them, much like Lubbock. He encouraged those who had attended the conference to make time for leisure in their lives and see where it would take them. Considering Chamberlin’s wide array of occupations and interests over the years, it is easy to infer that he has taken his own advice.

The Grand River Forum included stories told by audience members and staff at Laurier Brantford as well as discussions of the stories included in Chamberlin’s book. After all, as Chamberlin has expressed many times: if this is our land, it’s time we told our stories.