Originally intended to teach the kids this phrase – “Visit the Dark Side but do not linger.”  I can’t take credit for this one, it’s by Cass Sunstein, a famous law professor who authored a book on Star Wars and life.

A friend would make the joke that it meant hanging out with Darth Vader.  The best jokes have quite a bit of truth in them.  Mr. Vader could teach us a lot – listening to your teacher, don’t fall in love with someone off limits, beware old creepy politician types, and yeah, never forget how the high ground works.

Jokes aside, the point is valid.  We all have dark sides whether we acknowledge or admit it.  Must understand, learn to control, someone even wrote make love to it.

Notwithstanding individual concerns, how does one address the Dark Side (in any context) without understanding it?  I find the Harry Potter universe to be surprisingly insightful (side comment – who in the world would want to be assigned to Hufflepuff?  They just seem average plodders.  A law school friend would derisively refer to them as “ham and eggers”).  

Sorting Hat questions aside, the concept of a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is brilliant and necessary.  Without that teaching, Harry and friends wouldn’t have prevailed against the formidable Voldemort and company.

When I taught, I included a portion on defense for my students.  I wish I had understood it better.  

And one time, someone did hum the Imperial March, Vader’s theme song when I entered the classroom.  I swear I was nice, really.