Ellington

It's another "biting-off-our-nose-to-spite-our-face" episode in the city of Jackson. I just read that rapper-turned-author C-Miller (formerly C-Murder)—brother of the "great opportunist" Master P—was in town to promote a new work of fiction. However, a teacher pulled up some of Miller's lyrics and decided to halt his appearance, thus thwarting yet another opportunity for kids to hear from someone well qualified to school them on the ills of going down the wrong path.

Here we go again. I'm convinced that Jackson Public Schools just does not get it.

You complain of a discipline problem, debate whether corporal punishment should be re-instated, wonder why the kids don't respect teachers or school administrators, and wonder how you can reach them. Yet, whenever the opportunity comes up for you to really reach these kids, you shoot it down in ignorance. C-Miller is probably more qualified to paint the ugly picture of what bad choices can do than any other speaker that you may have approved.

C-Miller's new book is the story of a man who made bad choices, suffered the consequences and learned to make lemonade from lemons. A story like that could have been inspiring to some of those kids whom you feel you have lost. C-Miller is someone whose music they listen to and whom they respect. As an adult, you may not fully understand. That is why you should care enough to ask. Why not use the tools you have available to help with the problems you are crying about?

I've offered my own services to JPS numerous times, only to be either denied or watch the poor teacher who invited me jump through hoops and give a DNA sample to get my visits cleared. C'mon. Some of your more conventional methods have failed you. And now it's as if the school system here is guilty of exactly what our country's government is guilty of: abject denial.

Teachers, principals, administrators: We have a problem.

Face it. Kids don't want to hear from some goodie-two-shoes speaker who comes in smiling and pointing his finger, telling them what they should not do. Those are the guys who usually hear snoring from a bored audience. Inevitably, that message does nothing. But bring in someone who they listen to or respect, and you will reach them.

For those parents reading this who believe ignorance is bliss, cover your eyes. In most cases, these kids are already doing all of the things that most speakers are urging them not to do. Hearing from someone who has lived what they are experiencing and can speak to them without judgment is the most effective tool JPS has to curb some of its problems.

That teacher (whom I'm sure is a good one) who Googled Miller's lyrics and got his visit canceled, probably has discipline problems in her own classroom. Some of those kids unfortunately may follow the same path that Miller did ... without the happy ending. And you may have just sealed their fate. Think about it.

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff.

Previous Comments

ID

75470

Comment

.."And now it’s as if the school system here is guilty of exactly what our county’s government is guilty of: abject denial. " ..Meant COUNTRY'S government. But I guess the county's government is in abject denial too huh? Ironically I was invited to attend a Violence Prevention Roundtable on yesterday at Catholic Charities and this EXACT issue came up. There was a counselor/psychologist there who felt like she had no probelm reaching kids because as she said "I listen to Tupac, Im with it." oooookay. lol

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-10-25T08:37:10-06:00

ID

75471

Comment

Kaze-"My Man" was the lone white man in the room with you...I believe. If I would have known you were up there, I would have come to say "hello". His assessment of the situation was about the same as yours. :)

Author

Lori G

Date

2007-10-25T09:06:09-06:00

ID

75472

Comment

You do know that one of those white "I'm with it, I listen to Tupac" teachers is now leader of the Freedom Writers educational movement. Google the book/movie. It's incredible. I'm just saying. ;)

Author

emilyb

Date

2007-10-25T11:28:20-06:00

ID

75473

Comment

Ill do that. And incidentally you're one of those who DO "get it". Seen it first hand..

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-10-25T15:06:55-06:00

ID

75474

Comment

Fixed your county/country typo, Kaze.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-10-25T18:54:16-06:00

ID

75475

Comment

Oh and BTW..the school was Provine..didnt mention it in the story..for shame..

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-10-26T14:17:50-06:00

ID

75476

Comment

Folks I met Kamikaze a few days ago. He's quite a likeable young fellow. I did notice he looked a little nervous when he saw me. People often have this response upon meeting an original gansta. I agree with Kamikaze that the kids will listen to this guy more than many old folks who they think are out of style and had no challeneges in life. Another passed opportunity for the kids to hear someone who has been where some of them are likely headed. One of my nephews got ordained a minister yesterday after blowing a basketball scholarship where he could have gotten a free education, and after selling drugs for years until he finally got caught and went to prison for 6 years. He told the story of later meeting the confidential informant with the intentions of killing him but he couldn't do it for reasons he couldn't understand. He met the confidential informant again after leaving prison and thanked him for saving his life. He told him he may not have turned around in time if he hadn't set him up to get arrested. He's now back with his wife, three children, and is working full time during the days and telling his story of transformation as often as he can.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-29T11:16:13-06:00

ID

75477

Comment

Thanks for the vote of confidence Ray. Glad ya see my point. Got an email from a teacher in JPS and they pretty much agreed with my sentiments. Most of those working in jps agree as well. Unfortunately most times their hands are tied in the administrative boondoggle.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-10-29T15:00:27-06:00