Blog Friends, I usually don’t write long missives, but I ask you to read this one. (It’s a quick read, I promise.)
I am a true baby boomer, born in 1950 when our country was celebrating life. My childhood was an innocent one spent climbing trees and playing with kittens and dolls in small town Midwestern USA. The only killing I knew was fictional in the television portrayals of the old west or of the war. Even when I was protesting the Vietnam War in the 60s, I was isolated from the killing and violence.
I’m grading student essays now; as frequently happens when they have a prompt that promotes a personal response, I ache for them as I read their words, even the poorly written ones. Many have written about a loved one who was shot or who committed suicide. Many wrote about family in prison for murder.
One girl wrote of a recent party she attended. She just wasn’t thinking when she put on her new outfit of red sweater and skinny blue jeans. Get it? Red = Bloods; Blue = Crips. Representatives of both gangs were at that party and both were ready to jump her for wearing the “colors” … especially together. They forced her to take off the clothes; when her boyfriend brought her an all-black outfit she realized that those who wanted to stay outside of the gang conflicts were wearing all black.
Another girl wrote this today. It’s not good writing, but her voice is strong. This essay makes me hurt for my students because I know that her words represent the feelings of a majority of my students.
When I was little, I didn’t know how bad the world really was. As I get older, I see that people are getting killed for dumb reasons. It makes me barely wanna go outside. Life is not promised to me or anyone. I love my life. I’m not ready to die yet. People are yet still killing.
People are being killed over colors, signs, and just going out to have a good time. When people get killed, I get scared. I feel if they kill innocent people for nothing, my life doesn’t mean anything to them either. I now know the world is crazy and it is a very scary place.
People shoot and kill for no good reason at all. They think it’s a style and it’s cool. One day I hope the people who killed people will get it. You’re not supposed to be scared of a world that was created for you. I’ll be happy when one day we can all be in peace.
A few years ago, I attended two “Anytown” camps with students; the purpose is to tear down the walls of hatred and prejudice and build tolerance. One of the activities involves identifying the violence in our lives. I was shocked to learn that almost all of the students had been involved in or are related to someone involved in a violent death. More astounding is the number of students who have actually witnessed a murder. Many of them had had loaded guns pointed at them; many had been shot or had shot someone.
I personally have lost far too many students to violence and drugs.
I ache for these young people who do not know the safety and comfort of a time and place when people did not lock their doors, when it was safe to sit outside at night, when you could drive with your windows open and not be afraid.
Wow that’s really sad. Know where you’re coming from.
On another note you write well so don’t worry about writing lengthy blogs. Happy to read!
Thank you for the comment about my writing. I appreciate it.
Oh my goodness Mona. It really is a scary world. To tell you, I was in kindergarden I was threatened with a knife by a fellow student…. a kid!! Shortly after that my mom pulled me out of school and I was homeschooled until I graduated high school. I’m thankful she did that. I’ll be praying for your students.
Thank you. They certainly need it.
iCat Syas; Meow! Life sure ain’t like they portray on TV. :/
However, a good dog and/or cat makes it all bearable!
So true … but right now, my dog is out of control.
i Cat Says: Meow… I certainly know what you mean; I found the Dog Whisperer helped me to understand my dog better, also, it helped me to stay calm and assertive in other areas of my life as well.
There is a reason that Dog is God spelled backwards!
I have a feeling that even the Dog Whisperer would have difficulty with this one. But I still love him. The trouble really is my lack of time to train him.
I grew up during the transition, from when we did not have to lock our doors to when we dared not. I understand both worlds. Continue your compassion, Mona. That’s why you’re there.
Thank you.
It’s YOU! Thank you for following, LRB. I hope that you are doing well.
That is so sad! I feel for them too!
Take a look at today’s post.
Children and teens see more violence than we know. The situations that occur at the local high school would never have even been thought about when I was in high school. I feel so sorry for these kids and life that has been taken away from them.
Peach State
Read today’s post.
You’re right where you’re supposed to be, Mona. Thanks for sharing this with us. Sending love and light to you and your students.
Take a look at today’s post about my student.
Thanks for sharing, Mona.
I agree about kids being raised in a different environment, and how sad it is that they are surrounded by a world that is more dangerous and unfriendly, where even their innocent choice of clothes can land them in the middle of controversy, or even danger. Where they have no concept of safety.
Living in an environment where you never feel safe can lead to a loss of hope, and yet hoping for a better tomorrow is the very thing that can help them make it through today. They have a hard time believing there is hope, because they haven’t yet had the opportunity to experience the reality of the different chapters of life … how some chapters are sad and frightening and seem filled with frustration or fear, and yet other chapters come along that are filled with light, and joy, and celebration, and a feeling of utter freedom. If we could give our kids anything, I wish we could give them the vision of a better tomorrow.
Holding your students in my heart today. Peace and blessings.
I do feel sorry for these kids having to live in a prison of sorts because they are afraid to even leave their homes. What a way to have to live.
The day after I posted this, one of my students killed himself. I wrote a post, then removed it the next day because it was just too blasted negative. It’s been an awful week at school. A student’s death is always difficult, but a suicide is even more painful.
I’m sorry to hear that. It’s a tragedy.
I believe that if you stay in education long enough, you are bound to experience this, especially if you teach teens. Teachers and friends move on (well, most do) but his parents and sister …
I had a simple and happy childhood. I have no idea how I would survive what my students live with. I find it interesting that typically those who are struggling in school live in the most challenging environments. There are a few exceptions, but the honors students usually have stable home lives and parents who watch out for them. But far too many live on the edge of chaos and disaster.
My mother was an elementary school secretary for over 20 years and she always said she could have written a book about her experiences. She would often talk of the hardships divorce would cause small children, father-less homes, etc.
[...] first one by Mona was titled “What my students write“, about young people coping with violence and fear every day of their lives. About her [...]
That is sad and scary! I feel really sorry for the kids, they where robbed their best years with fear and worries!
It is hard to imagine living with that every day. I was raised similarly to you, but in Ont., Canada, on a farm. We didn’t lock our doors, I went to a one-room 1-8, and my whole 9-13 high school was 1200 students, which was the number in my husband’s graduting 12th grade class here in CA. Totally different lives!
I teach independent study in a Christian school, so I don’t see all that you do, execpt in a few here and there. It is hard to imagine how the innocence of youth is robbed from some of these kids by the home and neighborhood environments they survive in. Bless you in your work!
It drains me. Most days, I want to walk away from it all at the end of this semester. Then, there are those moments when I think I can stay with it a few more years. I’m 61. Most of the teachers I started with have long since retired, but I won’t reach full retirement eligibility for 2 more years because I took several different paths (the road less traveled so to speak). But I do not have the energy to deal with their enormous behavior problems and issues. Don’t be so quick to bless me in my work because I really want to leave it. Check in with me in another month.
9 more weeks! But there are good times as well, and when it gets bad, I tell myself that at least I have a job when many do not.
The students’ writing is heartbreaking. I used to substitute teach in East L.A. and got several papers like these. When will it stop?
Teachers do deserve the summers off to heal and recharge. I hope you work with good people. That lightens the emotional load.
The increased pressure on teachers in the name of “accountability” is adding another dimension of stress. We rarely take time to relax, we eat alone at our desks, we say a quick hi while we wait to microwave our food. Teaching was much more fun in the 70s and 80s. But there are some good moments, especially in my honors classes, when we have fun learning.