Is living a life of oblivion all it’s cracked up to be
Wearing the weight of the world on their shoulders for all to see
Unbeknownst to them they are the low of the low of the US of A
But it’s disguised by the fact that we offer “freedom” everyday
Freedom to do what exactly—nobody seems to know
On dead end streets where there seems to be only one way to go
It’s been twisted and presented as the great dream
But how do they get there without having the means
Is it a good thing their dreams align with each other’s?
With hopes to be singers, dancers, ballers, fathers and mothers
Yet it’s hidden from them, this harsh reality
Is this better left unsaid or is it another tragedy
They start out here with two strikes against them
They’re up to bat in a world that’s not rooting for ‘em
Gangs are cruising, hunger is lurking, and untimely death is a fact of life
These kids at twelve have seen more than I ever will—doesn’t seem right
They’re desperate to survive but have nowhere else to go
Do they know there’s an up, there’s a way out, there’s hope
So do I feed their reality with more obscurities of a truth
Or can I show them there’s another way, is there any solid proof
Education is the key to this life that they’re dreaming to make
But they don’t seem to understand the severity, the urgency, the give and take
Learn to play the game before they strike you out again
Because you never know when it’s going to be the time to end
So fight and push and dream your way to the top
By earning and learning, there’s no way to put a stop
AS I DISCUSS LIFE WITH MY STUDENTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL, I CANNOT HELP BUT BE PLAGUED BY THE QUESTION: AM I DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM? I AM A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, BUT MOST OF MY STUDENTS ARE NOT AWARE OF THAT. I DO NOT WANT THE STIGMA, NOR DO I WANT THEM TO SUFFER FROM THE STIGMA. BUT, IN THE LONG RUN, IS THIS HELPING THEM AT ALL? ALSO, A MAJORITY OF MY STUDENTS CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE "MIDDLE CLASS' WHEN IN REALITY, THIS IS ABOUT AS LOW CLASS AS YOU CAN GET IN AMERICA. FOOD STAMPS FOR 98%, UNSANITARY CONDITIONS, GANGS, DEATH, ETC.; HOWEVER, THEY ASK US 'ARE POOR PEOPLE THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE?" WELL, DEAR STUDENT, THOSE LUNCH TICKETS YOU GET AND EBT CARD YOUR MOM HAS MEANS YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. IS IT UP TO ME AS THEIR EDUCATOR TO REVEAL THIS HARSH REALITY TO THEM...OR IS LIVING A LIFE OF OBLIVION BETTER WITHOUT EXPOSURE TO WHAT ELSE LIFE HAS TO OFFER?
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2 comments:
Wow... powerful statement. Did you write that or did you get that somewhere that was good? Great question and I don't know the answer. Anyways i hope all is well. it wa great to see you the other night. im pretty stoked i made the blog. love ya.
That was probably the most beautiful thing I have ever read...
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