Wow, you seem a little negative. And you sure did generalize about what the kids will and won't do... bottom line is, some one has to model new ways and living, thinking and being to the kids in the hood. We have to stress that it is up the the individual to make something of themselves. It is not always easy to go against the grain but it can be done with determination. I used to live in the hood, my parents got me out of the hood and my hood mentality went away. Now I'm going to generalize... everybody and I mean every body wants the white picket fence, 2.5 kids and dog. We all dream about it. Its our job to let the kidz know they can have that dream too.
Your criticism is well taken,brwnsuga and my apologies to you for generalizing.
I think if I didn't have some hope for these youngsters I wouldn't even bother to go put the work in I do.Wednesday I got my car streo stolen right there in the faculty parking lot.Yet I returned the next day and wrote two summer job recommendations and was all smiles and enthusiasm.
The schools are just my part time job.I work full time at a rather large,infamously inefficient and absolutely SCANDALOUS government agency we all know and love dearly.Yet I keep coming back to the kids because I watch them grow and mature over the years and I DO see progress.
I'm just as cynical about Cosby as I am about Jackson and Sharpton.I just don't think they are for real,any of them.The real black leaders are in the trenches every day making a difference but they remain unknown to the public because they are way too busy SAVING LIVES.
Anyway,thanks for the feedback.I need someone to check my excesses once in a while!