Wednesday, May 30, 2007

For what it's worth

I gotta say it.

No, Marti, says the still, small and often ignored voice of discretion

they'll think you're a redneck

you'll get hate mail

but I gotta say it.

Before I say it, let me give you some background on me.....

I am a card carrying member of the ACLU

I can quote long snatches of Dr. King's speeches by heart.

In high school , I was on the Committee for School Desegregation.

I sang my babies to sleep with "We Shall Overcome"

Not a racist, okay?

I can not stand the hip hop culture.

I can't stand they way the songs speak of women.

I don't like the blatant vulgarity.

The angry attitude turns me off.

I teach in an inner city school.

I see children emulating rappers and I want to tell those guys that the kids look up to that they should be ashamed of what they are showing them....

the emphasis on money

anger

violence.

Here I am telling the kids "if you want to be suceessful , pull up your pants, speak correctly and get a job!"

"Forget that mean expression , all it will get you is high blood pressure if you're lucky and a bullet if you are not!"

 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

we have some of the same issues here. I went to an inner city school and let me tell you I ran from there so fast and I have not looked back.
Kelli
http://journals.aol.com/kamdghwmw/noonmom

Anonymous said...

This is what I love about the internet - You learn something new everyday! Thanks for sharing from the Porch! Have a Happy One!

Anonymous said...

Very good comments and I agree with it all...Sandi

Anonymous said...

"Jumping up and down cheering you on" you go girl, tell them like it is. I feel the same way. It's not about color, it's about morals, respect and being a decent human being. (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

I'm right there with you on this issue.  I don't understand why kids find that whole attitude appealing!   :::Shiver:::
~~Kath~~

Anonymous said...

What you say is true... there are finally some rappers trying to change things...but it is sad...

be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/

Anonymous said...

I agree whole-heartedly!  De ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm happy you said it!!!!    cheers for respect and morality    goodness, i'm happy there are still some of us around~kbear

Anonymous said...

I'm standing up and applauding my computer screen after reading all that!  Well done!!

Russ

Anonymous said...

I must be a red neck too then! We agree from over the pond too!
Gaz xx

Anonymous said...

Bill Cosby will even 2nd you on that!

http://journals.aol.com/psychfun/MeThinksTooMuch/

My New One:

Anonymous said...

That's not a red-neck comment, that's a true observation. Every morning begins in my school with the words "Tuck in your shirt. Pull up those pants!"

About half the boys (mostly black and Hispanic, btw) step off the bus with their t-shirts two sizes too big, hanging to their knees, and their jeans the same way. Our school policy is that everyone wearing t-shirts and jeans (including teachers if they dress that way on Fridays) must tuck in the t-shirt. Sagging jeans are not tolerated. We send the kids to the office where someone will tie the back beltloops together to help make the britches tighter and keep them from falling down. Not fashionable, nor appealing, but we can't afford to give every kid a belt. When we do, it is never returned. We have a clothes closet for bathroom accidents, but no belts to give away.

The kids will tuck in the shirt when we tell them to. If we didnt' say anything, they'd walk around all day with the droopy gang look. Unfortunately, they do like the droopy gang look.

But it is a rule we have to constantly enforce in our school because every morning, they step off the bus with the same long shirts and baggy pants. Sometimes it feels like we're on clothing duty. I get tired of reminding them, they get tired of hearing it, but not tired enough to change their way of dress. I don't really like the idea of uniforms either. What's the solution? bea

Anonymous said...

AND...the genital hitching and gesturing!! Anyway, its not music, its a noise and has NO redeeming features. Send me hate mail too, I can't stand it.

Linda.

http://journals.aol.co.uk/lindaggeorge/GeorgeMansions/

Anonymous said...

I used to teach in an inner city school in Nashville.  Same problems with my kids too.  Drove me nuts.
Traci

Anonymous said...

Considering millions of African-Americans completely agree with you, I hardly think there's anything remotely redneck about your attitudes. But it DOES help to understand why these attitudes and behavior thrive, what causes the anger behind the anger, and to remember that kids live what they learn.  Most white people never get a chance to see beyond the stereotypical presentations these kids put forth because they think it's necessary to survive. I was in prison with many of these very same hiphopping, rapping, angry men, and was surprised to learn how different they could be from each other when I got past all the outside stuff (like the dialect) that caused me to group them together. That's your challenge as a teacher, I daresay. To make sure the kids who want to break from the mold know that you'lll see them doing it, and not write them off because they are trying to conform to what they think is expected of them by their peers.