social (in) justice

well, it's been a while, i kind of ran out of steam and didn't have the energy to post, didn't have anything interesting to say, was just blah.

but, if anything energizes me, it's injustice. i gives me that unsettled feeling in my stomach and it niggles in the back of my mind until i do something, or make it go away by inaction (which then starts it's own cascade of guilt, feelings of ineffectiveness...etc)

i don't know if anyone is going to read this, but at least it will be out there (on the INTERNET--ha, ha) and out of my brain.  tonight is just one in a long line of incidents i have wittnessed where people in power have abused their authority.

tonight we took the Underground students to see a play at the high school, because one of our students was in the play. (just in case you are reading this, and don't know, underground (or UG) is the student ministry my husband runs out of our basement. we do accept donations, so feel free...ha,ha). most of the students in UG are delinquents. they get into trouble with the law, at school, at home, pretty much everywhere they go. they have earned their reputation, granted. but we must have really set off some alarm bells when we entered the school auditorium because we warrented a visit from the vice principal himself. 

now, we had given strict instructions to the students before hand, and they were all being pretty good. however, the play was long, and a little difficult to follow (even for me, a fine arts buff), so there was some messing around and playing with cell phones.  well mr. VP decided he would be a bad ass and came over to us.  he and one of the students proceeded to get into an argument (during the play, no less) where f-bombs were exchanged by both parties.

now, while our student was clearly in the wrong, (his cell phone should have been shut off), i think mr. VP over-reacted. alot. he tried to confiscate the student's phone, throwing around the f-bomb, and pretty much forcibly removed this student  from the auditorium, and then continued to yell and threaten. 

i was personally present for all of the above except for after he left the auditorium.  i have personally seen these kids be yelled at and abused by pastors, cops, parents, and now teachers. it's no wonder they're delinquents.  everyone treats them like they're bad, so no wonder they act bad.

it really pisses me off. maybe i'm over reacting now. what do you think?

Comments

[Karil]

where did your lists of blogs go?
we liked the russian adoption

[Karil]

YEA!! Welcome back :)
Yes, i totally 100% agree with you! I worked in the public school system for 9 years and witnessed this all the time. Then when the "good" kids (who are really not that good) are treated great, because they are the "good" ones, these "delinquent" kids witness it, and it kicks them up a notch, because they live in the injustice all the time. It is so unfair, and just makes them feel worse, which makes them act out more, and around and around it goes! Bad kids get treated bad and they get badder...

[mahlberg]

no, i totally agree with you, and i'm a teacher. this is the first year where i haven't had my class of delinquents- i needed a break, but it's true, if you don't treat them like humans, they are going to think that they're just bad kids. i've seen it in other classrooms, but i try to treat all my students the same, and then they'll actually work for you and respect you.