Emiko turned one last Thursday, on Feb 21st. I can't believe it's been a year already. It's gone by so fast. Her delivery was such a whirlwind, with her arriving six weeks early and all that. You'd never guess she was a preemie -- she's so big!
She's almost walking, and can pull herself up and walk while leaning against stuff. And she's so freaking cute!!
See for yourself. (I'm not just a bragging mommy!)
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
School Ridiculousness: Part Two
Yesterday I blogged about the girl assembly at school. While the girls were in the gym, the boys were in the auditorium. I was not a witness to the ridiculousness that ensued, but here is what I have been told by several eyewitnesses:
They had a guest speaker who has a felony conviction for fraud and embezzlement. Apparently he bilked Verizon Wireless out of several million dollars. I don't know how long he was in jail, but now he goes around to CPS schools and gives speeches to kids about what will happen in prison.
So he went on and on about prison and what happens to you while there. He cursed a lot, calling the audience many different names, including "black ass n*****." He used that term the most. The boys did not seem to like being called that. Several of the kids walked out (and tried to get into the gym, but were stopped).
He also informed the audience that the idea that George Washington was the first president of the United States was a myth perpetuated by white people. According to this felon, there were eight other presidents before Washington, at least one of whom was a black man. He had a name for the black man, but I forgot it. But for the next two days, all I heard from my male students was about this supposed black president.
We think this guy was referencing leaders under the Articles of Confederation or something, but no one has found any research to confirm this guy's assertion about the black president.
Then he cursed at the kids some more.
I can't imagine how much money he is making off this "inspirational speaking" business he's cooked up, but it's probably pretty good money. And as a felon, he doesn't have too many options for well-paying (legal) jobs. But I just can't believe he stood up there and used the "N" word with abandon and no one stopped him. Several of the teachers (black and white) were offended, but what are you going to do?
My job does resemble a Jerry Springer episode more and more each day. Except I don't have any security guards to take unruly guests away -- I'm just stuck with them.
They had a guest speaker who has a felony conviction for fraud and embezzlement. Apparently he bilked Verizon Wireless out of several million dollars. I don't know how long he was in jail, but now he goes around to CPS schools and gives speeches to kids about what will happen in prison.
So he went on and on about prison and what happens to you while there. He cursed a lot, calling the audience many different names, including "black ass n*****." He used that term the most. The boys did not seem to like being called that. Several of the kids walked out (and tried to get into the gym, but were stopped).
He also informed the audience that the idea that George Washington was the first president of the United States was a myth perpetuated by white people. According to this felon, there were eight other presidents before Washington, at least one of whom was a black man. He had a name for the black man, but I forgot it. But for the next two days, all I heard from my male students was about this supposed black president.
We think this guy was referencing leaders under the Articles of Confederation or something, but no one has found any research to confirm this guy's assertion about the black president.
Then he cursed at the kids some more.
I can't imagine how much money he is making off this "inspirational speaking" business he's cooked up, but it's probably pretty good money. And as a felon, he doesn't have too many options for well-paying (legal) jobs. But I just can't believe he stood up there and used the "N" word with abandon and no one stopped him. Several of the teachers (black and white) were offended, but what are you going to do?
My job does resemble a Jerry Springer episode more and more each day. Except I don't have any security guards to take unruly guests away -- I'm just stuck with them.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
My School is Crazier Than Ever
Last Friday we were told there were going to be two assemblies during advisory -- the girls were to report to the gym and the boys were to report to the auditorium. We were instructed to lead our students to those two places and remain with them throughout the presentations. It was not made clear how we were to be at two places at once.
So I sent my boys to the auditorium and I escorted my girls to the gym. We assumed this was going to be the sex talk or something similar. Turns out, the assistant principal decided that since most of the girl fights at school are over boys, we needed to get together and discuss the issue.
The school psychologist got the microphone and told the girls that they shouldn't be fighting over these boys. Then she opened the floor to questions. No one asked any questions. Then a special ed teacher got up and asked why we were having so many fights. No one answered.
Then a brave student got up and said that the problem was that everyone was dating the same boys and we needed to stop doing that. Then a senior girl got the mic and said this, "You freshmen girls need to stay away from the senior boys. Those boys are ours!"
Things got really good then. Freshmen girls were yelling that if the senior girls could do their job, the boys wouldn't be coming to the freshmen to get what they needed. Then the sophomore and junior girls were yelling about what they could offer the boys. Then the senior girls argued that their men were just going to come back to them, so there. It was so ghetto and ridiculous and these damn girls were ready to get it crackin and box (that is, start fighting).
There was also an enlightening conversation about who is a b (bitch) and who is a ho (everyone, apparently). Especially if you are sleeping with my man.
This went on for a good half hour, and no one was stopping it. I'm looking at the assistant principal -- she just stood there. I'm looking at the school psychologist. She kept saying, "This is such a good discussion." I couldn't take it any longer. I turned to my coworkers and said, "I'm going up there!"
So I made my way to the front of the gym through the throng of girls who wanted to box and got the mic. I said, "Ladies, I think you are missing the point. This is not about dividing yourselves. This is about unifying in the face of a serious problem. If your boyfriend cheats on you, it's not because you haven't done your job. It's not because you've done something wrong. It's because he doesn't respect you. Why would you allow yourself to be treated that way?"
Then I got fired up and starting preaching some more. I was nervous but I spoke really well. I can't remember all that I said, but it was all about female empowerment and whatnot. When I was done, all the girls who wanted to box over the mic had sat down. I finished and looked around and the teachers and a couple of girls clapped and that was it. I toddled back to my corner of the gym.
My friend JoAnn does a great imitation of my little speech -- apparently my accent was more pronounced than usual. That tends to happen when I get fired up.
Anyway, then a friend of mine got up and said the same things I said, basically. Then we all sat down and waited for the bell to ring.
I was really nervous about getting up there, because at my school, having a white lady get things back on track is not appreciated at all. But several people stopped me throughout the remainder of the day and thanked me for my remarks. And I guess people heard about it -- Miller, the 3rd floor security guard (who is always threatening to cut Todd) called me Preacher Fuji the rest of the day.
My speech did no good, however. There were girl fights every day last week. And as this is a short week and Valentine's Day is Thursday, there'll be fights every day this week, too. But hell, I tried.
So I sent my boys to the auditorium and I escorted my girls to the gym. We assumed this was going to be the sex talk or something similar. Turns out, the assistant principal decided that since most of the girl fights at school are over boys, we needed to get together and discuss the issue.
The school psychologist got the microphone and told the girls that they shouldn't be fighting over these boys. Then she opened the floor to questions. No one asked any questions. Then a special ed teacher got up and asked why we were having so many fights. No one answered.
Then a brave student got up and said that the problem was that everyone was dating the same boys and we needed to stop doing that. Then a senior girl got the mic and said this, "You freshmen girls need to stay away from the senior boys. Those boys are ours!"
Things got really good then. Freshmen girls were yelling that if the senior girls could do their job, the boys wouldn't be coming to the freshmen to get what they needed. Then the sophomore and junior girls were yelling about what they could offer the boys. Then the senior girls argued that their men were just going to come back to them, so there. It was so ghetto and ridiculous and these damn girls were ready to get it crackin and box (that is, start fighting).
There was also an enlightening conversation about who is a b (bitch) and who is a ho (everyone, apparently). Especially if you are sleeping with my man.
This went on for a good half hour, and no one was stopping it. I'm looking at the assistant principal -- she just stood there. I'm looking at the school psychologist. She kept saying, "This is such a good discussion." I couldn't take it any longer. I turned to my coworkers and said, "I'm going up there!"
So I made my way to the front of the gym through the throng of girls who wanted to box and got the mic. I said, "Ladies, I think you are missing the point. This is not about dividing yourselves. This is about unifying in the face of a serious problem. If your boyfriend cheats on you, it's not because you haven't done your job. It's not because you've done something wrong. It's because he doesn't respect you. Why would you allow yourself to be treated that way?"
Then I got fired up and starting preaching some more. I was nervous but I spoke really well. I can't remember all that I said, but it was all about female empowerment and whatnot. When I was done, all the girls who wanted to box over the mic had sat down. I finished and looked around and the teachers and a couple of girls clapped and that was it. I toddled back to my corner of the gym.
My friend JoAnn does a great imitation of my little speech -- apparently my accent was more pronounced than usual. That tends to happen when I get fired up.
Anyway, then a friend of mine got up and said the same things I said, basically. Then we all sat down and waited for the bell to ring.
I was really nervous about getting up there, because at my school, having a white lady get things back on track is not appreciated at all. But several people stopped me throughout the remainder of the day and thanked me for my remarks. And I guess people heard about it -- Miller, the 3rd floor security guard (who is always threatening to cut Todd) called me Preacher Fuji the rest of the day.
My speech did no good, however. There were girl fights every day last week. And as this is a short week and Valentine's Day is Thursday, there'll be fights every day this week, too. But hell, I tried.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Saturday, February 02, 2008
More BarackStar
I love Barack Obama. I find his vision of hope and change to be inspiring and infectious. I appreciate Hillary Clinton, but I don't trust her and I'm not inspired by her. I don't understand the argument that supporting Barack is a betrayal to women. As a feminist, I find that idea offensive.
At any rate, Todd showed me this video on youtube this morning and it gave me goosebumps.
Enjoy!
At any rate, Todd showed me this video on youtube this morning and it gave me goosebumps.
Enjoy!
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