Dangerous Minds

So I fell off the blog bandwagon for awhile. Jamar has coerced me into reentering the scene so here I am. Brief recap of life: I quit my job in July and went back to school for education (Secondary and Special to be exact). It was tough at first (with the loss of a nice paycheck) but it was a good decision and I do not regret it at all. I intern at an 'urban' school now during the day and go to class in the evenings. Its pretty tiring most days but again, I dont regret it.

I spent the summer in classes preparing for 'urban' youth. You can kinda guess how they prepare you. They say the kids might not be able to read. And that they are going to absolutely hate you. And that they might just swing on you. And curse words are definitely coming your way. And that they dont listen or follow directions. Oh yea, and that they dont do homework. And that the parents are cruel too.

Here it is...a whole 6 months later and I'm still in love with my job. Teenagers are bad. They dont always listen and they are real caught up with one another but they are the funniest people on the face of the earth. I have only had 2 'run-ins' with since the beginning. Neither involved anyone hitting me or cursing at me. And both times it was with this one little evil child who might just be Satan's spawn. Thats mean to say. I love him too. Hes just a difficult child. On the funny side of things, I've watched a 13 year old blk male explain 'teabagging' to an OLD white lady. Ive seen a little couple kiss in the hallway and then turn BRIGHT red when I blew up the spot. I've had a kid call my tattoo silly and ask me to buy a bottle and go out for drinks after school. I had a group of 3 create a dance for me. So everytime I come into the classroom I have music and a routine. I had a kid, just last week, tell me that my locs are getting long and asked me to "shake my dreds". They are great!

The kids, by and large, listen. Further, if they actually trust you they really TRY to do what you ask of them. If you care about them and truly want to teach them something they will attempt to learn. This is not to say they come to class on time everyday (they dont even though they make up wild excuses to humor you). Or that they always do their homework (we are working on that). But they TRY. I do not feel like I am wasting time writing lesson plans as long as I get just one.

What I know now that I didnt really think about before is kids just want someone to talk to. Kids dont want to be judged for real. They are even ok being chastised when they mess up. But they really want you to listen. They want to know if they tell you something that you respect them enough to keep it to yourself (unless its something legal then of course you have to go to the proper authorities :)). They want to know that if they need your help that you will stand by them and help them through. They want an adult friend who isnt a parent. And they want/need it BAD.

And I know everyone isnt meant to teach. I didnt realize that even I (the most patient and forgiving individual EVER) had it in me to last. But kids...especially Black kids...need people to talk to. Go volunteer some time people. They just need someone to listen to them. So...I'm on my soapbox. All you educated folks who have a few moments in your busy lives to spare...go volunteer at a rec or big brothers/big sisters of america. Or somewhere. Help someone out!

Moving forward...

I have this one loc that stands up in the air as though waving 'hello' everyday of my life. This one loc has ruined countless pictures. I dont know how to restrain it. I've tried headbands and scarves and bonnets and more. Oh the frustration. BUT I dont miss my relaxed hair. I'd rather have one surly loc than what I had before.

Well I'm done. Ill post again next week.