School and the facts of life...why are they separate?

My niece and I were talking the other day about school. She was expressing her dislikes and how things are at her school. She's a freshman in high school. It amazed me how similar some of her stories related to mine when I was her age and we're about 11 years apart. Some of her same issues she expressed, I had as well. But then, situations are different based on the type of environment you were raised in as well. Mine were a little worse than hers, but still the same practically for the typical inner-city kid. At Kris' school, they are checked at the door by security guards, but the security guards really don't care much about they're job...she said they just pick up their book bags and dropped them right back down. The security guards at my high school went through your book bag, your purse, and patted you down...female or male. It was like going to prison every day. But then, my senior year was the best. Alongside my best friend, we were cool with the security guards and they would let us skip class to go get us something to eat as long as we brought them something back...and once we got back, we could chill in the halls for the remainder of the day - no sweat off our backs. That was the best year of high school ever! I miss it, really. But then I soon remembered how much it all seemed like nothing after I was all done with it...didn't really learn much, wasn't impacted much by it, and can't even really recall any great learning moments which is sad. What I learned most from high school was street smarts and how to deal with folk. Not completely pointless, but so pointless compared to spending 4 years in school, supposedly preparing for the real-world. And after all that, I still wouldn't be ready to face it just yet...and yet I had no choice.

Then Saturday, I went to the bookstore with my one of my buddies. (I found a new hang out spot). One of the books I was looking & reading through was Tupac Shakur's book. I was once into rap for a short period in my life. I listened to rappers like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, & a couple others...I never really listened to Tupac much although I was familiar with some of his songs. I just picked up the book out of curiosity. It was actually very, very interesting. It had a bunch of pics in it of his life and also a lot of things he wrote, including poems, lyrics, and journal entries. The one I stumbled across that stood out to me was when he was talking about school. He was admitting to the fact that he likes and wants the women, the cars, the money, etc, but he is also very socially aware. With that, he said that he thinks there should be classes on drugs, sex ("a real sex education class"), police brutality, apartheid, why people are hungry, etc. He said..and I quote, "but there are not. There are classes on gym, physical education...let's learn volleyball." (I was crackin' up when I read that, but that really stuck with me). A lot of people said that Tupac was pretty deep to have come from the life he came from...I agree after reading through his memoir. It was really something to read. But back to my topic of discussion...I was JUST saying to myself that school, especially in the black community, is really really losing its impact in our young people's lives. I do not discredit its importance, but I think its purpose, plans, and strategies need to be re-evaluated...seriously!

Why do you say that, Faithe? I say that because, the world is changing rapidly. Since the time our forefathers went through the school system and created a path for us to follow, the world has changed dramatically. With that change, the school systems should change as well, to better equip the upcoming generations with life as it relates to how the world works and is changing day by day. They need to be taught REALITY...not a fantasy. Dreams are ok to have, but let's be factual and real about life. You're dealing with a bunch of teenagers who want to come out of high school making thousands-millions because that's the fantasy they are fed with on TV and in our music, etc, etc. The school system has to find a way to counteract this and keep them engaged in really learning and knowing how to survive and make it in this world, while yet encouraging them to dream and have goals for themselves...but realistic ones. Teach kids in high school what a credit score is and how important it is for them to maintain a good one. Teach kids how to cook, clean, work in a team to get projects done collectively. Teach them how to invest, how to save, how to bargain, stocks, the importance of saving for their retirement cause they might not have the luxury of a retirement fund through the government anymore like our parents did.

One of the first rebuttal's that one would probably have is "These kinds of things are supposed to be taught at home...not at school." Yes, indeed. And in a world back in the day where we actually had stable homes and sane parents...that works. But as I stated before...the world has changed drastically. If the system was about doing what was best for our children and their future, making them as knowledgeable and educated as possible, then it wouldn't be such a big deal or so hard to add these real-life lessons to our lesson plans - especially since I believe we can all agree that these kids are lacking these concepts at home. This is just my take and I stand strong in my opinion. If I ever become a teacher, I'd make it my duty to teach my students these and not just teaching out of an out-dated book for a world that has changed since it was first written. Hence, the reason I would like to go into a career in local government...I'd like to be in a position where I can help change some of these things...if only people weren't so corrupt!

P.S. One of the greatest memories I have of high school was an english teacher, Mrs. Scott, who dealt with us on a "real-world" type level, aside from teaching us out the lesson plan for the class. If the school system never makes the transition it needs, every student needs to have a Mrs. Scott in their high school career. Don't know how I would've survived it without her.

L8r-
faithful