My Rant of the Day
*Clearing throat*
An experience recently with my nephew brought on this "flashback" if you will. When I was in 6th grade I had an experience that has managed to stick with me, not just as a memory but it affects my thoughts/actions on "bad behaviors". When I was in 6th grade I was in a class with about 15(6th graders) and about 10 5th graders(it was a combination class). The black fellas in the class were James, Nathan, Andre, Joel, and myself. In elementary school these were the trouble makers...(Andre not so much but I'll include him) imagine my face when I walked in on the first day of class... I had NO friends in this class but I knew who they were and they knew me (but we weren't friends)So I get the seating arrangement and where am I sitting..you guessed it.. in a corner slot with Nathan, James, and Andre. It actually turned into a pretty good experience they were actually pretty funny and thought I was cool too..even though I was constantly called a nerd..lol.. I usually got the higher grades among all the guys and most of the girls. I was well liked in the class and the teacher adored me. Well one day Nathan, Joel, Andre and James were talking about this motorbike program that they participate in afterschool.. this type of conversation occured quite often so I told them I wanted to ride motorbikes too and asked how do I sign up. They said I have to talk to Mrs Foster(the teacher). So after school I told Mrs Foster I wanted to sign up for the motorbike program..................She looked me square in the face and told me that I couldn't participate b/c the program was for "AT RISK" children and I wasn't AT RISK... I stood there in shock for 2 reason 1) I couldn't believe she told me NO and 2) I hadn't a clue what "at risk" meant ...lol.. so eventually explained it to me as I getting visibly upset..so for the remainder of the school year I had to sit near these dudes talk about a fun program afterschool that they participated in......for essentially being "bad". I mean they would get sustpended, get their names on the board, fight other students, and not even come to school but still got to ride motorbikes. I was so very tempted to act a fool too so I could become "at risk" but unlike them I knew what waited at home for me so that was not an option. This situation has remained with me ever since. I think its a shame that "we" reward kids for bad behavior but do nothing really for the kids who stay on the straight and narrow. Many of the good kids likely turn bad b/c clearly it pays to be bad. Kids who do well need just as much if not more encouragement to continue on that path. I'm not a psychologist or parent or any authority on behaviors but that just didn't make sense to me. Growing up in my house bad behavior was rewarded with a switch or belt or constant talking(which I prefer the belt). I can't beleive that I'm still somewhat biter over this... but it felt good typing it out... LOL
An experience recently with my nephew brought on this "flashback" if you will. When I was in 6th grade I had an experience that has managed to stick with me, not just as a memory but it affects my thoughts/actions on "bad behaviors". When I was in 6th grade I was in a class with about 15(6th graders) and about 10 5th graders(it was a combination class). The black fellas in the class were James, Nathan, Andre, Joel, and myself. In elementary school these were the trouble makers...(Andre not so much but I'll include him) imagine my face when I walked in on the first day of class... I had NO friends in this class but I knew who they were and they knew me (but we weren't friends)So I get the seating arrangement and where am I sitting..you guessed it.. in a corner slot with Nathan, James, and Andre. It actually turned into a pretty good experience they were actually pretty funny and thought I was cool too..even though I was constantly called a nerd..lol.. I usually got the higher grades among all the guys and most of the girls. I was well liked in the class and the teacher adored me. Well one day Nathan, Joel, Andre and James were talking about this motorbike program that they participate in afterschool.. this type of conversation occured quite often so I told them I wanted to ride motorbikes too and asked how do I sign up. They said I have to talk to Mrs Foster(the teacher). So after school I told Mrs Foster I wanted to sign up for the motorbike program..................She looked me square in the face and told me that I couldn't participate b/c the program was for "AT RISK" children and I wasn't AT RISK... I stood there in shock for 2 reason 1) I couldn't believe she told me NO and 2) I hadn't a clue what "at risk" meant ...lol.. so eventually explained it to me as I getting visibly upset..so for the remainder of the school year I had to sit near these dudes talk about a fun program afterschool that they participated in......for essentially being "bad". I mean they would get sustpended, get their names on the board, fight other students, and not even come to school but still got to ride motorbikes. I was so very tempted to act a fool too so I could become "at risk" but unlike them I knew what waited at home for me so that was not an option. This situation has remained with me ever since. I think its a shame that "we" reward kids for bad behavior but do nothing really for the kids who stay on the straight and narrow. Many of the good kids likely turn bad b/c clearly it pays to be bad. Kids who do well need just as much if not more encouragement to continue on that path. I'm not a psychologist or parent or any authority on behaviors but that just didn't make sense to me. Growing up in my house bad behavior was rewarded with a switch or belt or constant talking(which I prefer the belt). I can't beleive that I'm still somewhat biter over this... but it felt good typing it out... LOL
posted by icecoldbrother at 7:19 AM
2 Comments:
WTH? That is sad.
I think alot of that change has to do with the law. They want to lock you up if you discipline your child with a switch...but I told mine (I have two sons) I guess I'm going to jail cause I WILL beat chu down.
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