Inclusive Summer Camp Culture

Magen's Bay Beach, U.S Virgin Islands

Inclusive Summer Camp Culture

This summer I had the opportunity to work with a local summer camp done through a local church on Magen's Bay beach on the island of St. Thomas. Your probably wondering isn't this normal as a teacher for me to work at a summer camp or with a likewise program; your probably correct as I normally do, but this one was different. This camp was completely inclusive of children regardless of their developmental delays, disabilities, or economic status; simply put it was amazing!

As a mother and teacher I have not seen any programs that encourage and incorporate inclusiveness for all at this level in any setting. All students were given equal opportunities and activities with the option of opting out for an alternate socially motivated activity. The environment was like a utopia rather than a summer camp. Teasing, bullying, and impatience were practically nonexistent ( as most of us know there's always that one or those few that have to ruin a good thing). The most exhilarating thing for me as a teacher and parent was that even in those rare moments when  a moment may arise the youths, adolescents came to the rescue and aid of their peers recognizing that they are all in camp as one group of all of God's children.

Every time I witnessed these glorious acts that made my heart smile I wondered why was it so hard for all children to understand and empathize as these children had and come to a consensus? Why was the world at large so behind, not mention the little ole island of St. Thomas? I came to one conclusion, our culture.

Culture is derived through the experiences of norms and values held within a society and in the Virgin Islands, we have the 'solid as a rock' mentality. We condition our children to be "hard" and tough inadvertently making them unsympathetic and unable to empathize with others.  As adults and parents we are guilty of the same mistakes accusing parents of not "training" their children and that they need "blows" (corporal punishment) when truthfully we just don't believe that everyone and child is different and most of them can't help their actions.

My fellow Virgin Islands, parents, professionals; by brothers and sisters please let us change this part of our culture and recognize the need for empathy in this world for those who need it and the rest that sincerely deserve it. Children and adults with special needs did not make the choice to do things differently; they actually had no choice.


The views expressed within this blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the youths of the U. S Virgin Islands visit https://www.usviearlychildhoodlearning.blogspot.com . For more on the U.S Virgin Islands youths read Curriculum Choices, Learning Environment & Strategies, My Beliefs on Language Acquisition,  Respect Goes Both Ways: Teacher and Student, V. I Character, and Extra Curricula Activities since IrmaMaria.

Virgin Islands Character; What Once Was

Virgin Islands Character; What Once Was

As a child growing up  in the Virgin Islands I was afforded opportunities to observe the inner workings  social or extra curricula activities within the territory and their benefits. I recognized that all pageants, leagues and institutional organizations all had one thing in common;  they facilitated opportunities for adolescents to obtain and build character building skills which can help them with personal growth. Basketball and baseball leagues valued character. All students had to be in good standing within their various school communities This also provided opportunities f or children without privilege to learn and develop character building traits necessary to become productive members of society. To build habits like punctuality, dressing formal, taking pride in their appearance and work ( school or work whatever that maybe).

Young men once had ample opportunities to build character and integrity, learning the many other ways to earn respect but most importantly they learned respect for themselves. Young girls were too given ample opportunities to learn how to become ladies, and shine equally amongst their adolescent peers through various sports and organizations regardless of gender. Their opportunities facilitated hope for other young girls within the territory as well as illustrated to member of our society the importance of such organizations. But the lack of consideration for many of these character building traits leaves adolescents and parents with a lack of appreciation for these traits and our schools with the ethical dilemmas of how to proceed. Do they bother to solve it at all? How can teachers and administrators within the institution of education help foster skills that should have been introduced and reinforced at home first?

Sincerely, I don’t think they can without meaningful parental involvement and collaboration between families and the school. Calling and texting a teacher is a form of informal communication that can be very beneficial in many areas but it is not enough. Waiting until report cards are issued to buckle down on studies does not work, more importantly my fellow parents making excuses for you child does not work (even if you’re the excuse!). It is time to reteach to our children through role modeling everyday how to be responsible and take responsibility for their actions. Admit that it is your fault and work to find ways to rectify it through collaborating with teachers or the administration; extra credit, or community service does attribute to their academic standing as well as character traits.

Rather than illustrating the ignorance that has become synonymous with our citizens in recent generations. Solidarity and integrity have always been vital components of our culture;  Virgin Islanders lets make it a priority to embrace our own traditions rather than reforming to those of our national neighbors.

The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands youths read Curriculum Choices, Learning Environment & Strategies, My Beliefs on Language Acquisition,  Respect Goes Both Ways: Teacher and Student

Children’s Day 2014: Treasure our Children

Children’s Day 2014: Treasure our Children

Figure 1 Arzucanaskin.com photo credit

       As many of us have experienced throughout our lifetimes, there are days internationally reserved to specific topics to draw awareness/advocacy or simply to honor a memory. Many days are highly publicized making them more popular than others, and many with their own right. We’ve recently celebrated Memorial Day and it’s a day I’m sure all can empathize with; whether you’ve known someone in the battle, were a part of it yourself, or was just touched by the actions and efforts of your fellow countrymen. It is certainly a day to be recognized and (one I personally think) should rightfully be done internationally.

       But there are other important observances that go unnoticed every year; they are under publicized, uncelebrated and go without any recognition and the sad part about it is that those days are usually those observed for the rights, well-being, and education of children. I couldn’t help but wonder if the reason for those aren’t because, on a larger scale (judging by the insights of a majority) children’s issues are ‘seemingly’ marginal or does it just truly reflect what we as human beings in today’s societies value; ourselves.

       On this past May 11 our nation, like others (whether before or after) celebrated Mother’s Day; another day rightfully observed for all the hard work, perseverance, and stress (just to name a few) that mothers (like myself!) go through. There were plenty of advertisements ‘reminding’ us of the observed day and the things we could do to either support mothers and their struggle or to celebrate others. But also observed in May that has already come to pass was Brothers & Sisters Day/ Baby Day on May 2 and while the International Day of Families did have some ‘clout’ I can’t help, but wonder once again if it isn’t due to the fact that once more, adults were involved rather than it just being a celebration of children.  Then again, as I have thought of this I’m sure someone else has already and thus; Children’s Day was born, to bring light to the most innocent part of humanity that is probably the most abused/neglected because of size and age.

      But unlike other highly publicized observances that usually call upon a need to show support through donations or gifts I simply urge others to make yourselves more aware of the issues that are plaguing our world and to resonate closer to home, our nation. Did you all know that there is still child labor happening in the U.S? I’m sure most of you have heard of those children who aren’t allowed to purchase or smoke tobacco, picking tobacco leaves for profits, either way check out the Human Rights Watch! Among us are many evils lurking that many of us, myself included, thought were long gone. Awareness is the key to put a stop to these injustices for our fellow peers, as has touched the case of those children and the unfortunate one of the seven year old who died after becoming ill in a school with no nurse, who may have been able to discern the seriousness of the situation. There are many different topics to choose from and while I can only encourage self-awareness, spreading the word is the only way to kill this disease plaguing our world and nation so that we may begin to ‘treasure our children’ sincerely. 

Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals

"Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals"

Because many of us unfortunately have been reared through these times where the importance of family and all that it teaches has diminished greatly, we all look through distorted lens with regards to matters of family. Once upon a time, our country and people where looked up upon by outsiders/tourists for various reasons; social culture and agriculture, but mainly resilience. We once were a people of ideals and values placed throughout our communities with presence of our culture.

            Now the culture and presence of our ancestors have all been warped. We've incorporated every other culture with ours to suit the needs of a vastly changing demographic within our territory and as a result, we've lost our identity.

            Like any other community around the world, the members of those communities become one with each other to help their well beings. The ‘family’ created within these communities are now who are rearing the next generations to come, and while they are readily available to do so, they are also unqualified.

             For this reason and so many more it is time for us to make the presence of the families more important within our communities rather than gangs, corners, or communities that pride themselves in taking in youths who are ignorant to their intentions. It is for these reasons and more that our territory must make a more profound effort to encourage our young men and women to build families and homes instead of only facilitating events where those from all demographics can enjoy themselves and indulge in different vices which contribute to our small, violent and stagnant community. And it is certainly for the promise of hope in our futures and those of our children that we change the ideals being kept at the helms of society; money, power and violence is not the only way to procure or sustain a fulfilling life.

            On this world family day U.S Virgin Islanders I propose we all take the time out not only to enjoy the company of our loved ones, but to appreciate what we can learn from them to help others less fortunate; those who don’t have a support system or a true family. Take the things that you’ve learned and share them with others, whether or not you know of their family structure. The idea is to promote the ideals and norms that can bring our communities back to being the structure that is was instead of the street family that it has become. 

National Poem In Your Pocket Day

My Pledge of Allegiance to Me

There’s more to me than the human eye can see.

I’m a woman of purpose and destiny.

A perfect design, I’m special and unique.

I won’t be identified by the parts that make

up my physique.

My beauty is not defined by my skin or my hair

and my soul has more value than

 the clothes that I wear.

I’m not a symbol of pleasure or sex appeal;

I have the natural ability to comfort

and the power to heal.

When God made me, He created a gem

because He fashioned me in the likeness of Him.

I refuse to do anything that will put God to shame.

I deserve to be treated with reverence

and called by my name.

I can’t be purchased or sold at any price

because I’ve already been bought and paid

for by the precious blood of Christ!

Written by Letitia L. Hodge

#HappyEarthDay

Happy Earth-day Everyone! At the link below you can find out just what is Earth Day and how you can get involved. Remember the children are our futures so they need knowledge of how to abide by the earth or else we will continue on the path of destruction that has lead us to the state we are currently in. Participate and get involved!

http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement
http://www.earthday.org/
#HappyEarthDay!!!

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USVI Early Childhood Learning

Children's Corner; Poetry

Earth Day

I am the Earth
And the Earth is me.
Each blade of grass,
Each honey tree,
Each bit of mud,
And stick and stone
Is blood and muscle,
Skin and bone.

And just as I
Need every bit
Of me to make
My body fit,
So Earth needs
Grass and stone and tree
And things that grow here
Naturally.

That’s why we
Celebrate this day.
That’s why across
The world we say:
As long as life,
As dear, as free,
I am the Earth
And the Earth is me.



BY JANE YOLEN

Poetry For Women (By Women, About Women, For Women)

Our Children

Fleeting moments in time
The days speed by so fast,
The babes we cradled once
Seem so far in the past.

Our children so vibrant
With toys and games galore,
Endless days of playing
But now there's something more.

The need to help others,
To be responsible,
Expanding their boundaries,
Growing knowledgeable.

Incredible insights
To solve the world's woes,
So simple the answers
That these young persons know.

Our children's growing minds,
They look through caring eyes,
I have hope for the world,
In them the future lies.

— Karen Lynne Nivens

Preschool Suspensions???

     There have been many reports of the Department of Educations  report on discipline in preschools (public schools) highlighting what many of us already knew before the report came out; black students are treated unfairly among their peers. The real question is why? Why are kids in preschool being suspended? What actions did they display to determine such a punishment for suspension? It is highly unlikely that they posed some form of threat to others or themselves, or even that their characters are so overbearing at such a young age. What criteria is used to determine the suspension of students four and five years of age? 

     After scouring the internet for such a criteria to no avail, I decided to try different news reports and sources since they are undoubtedly more resourceful in matters that span across the country or globe. After a thorough research  we've noted little to no mention of such guidelines being used, but educational facilities or their administrators to determine whether or not the actions of a pupil (in preschool) should/ could sanction such disciplinary actions. In fact, the data nor anyone else has explained just why students where being suspended. They did however highlight the same quotes from Department of Educations Secretary, Arne Duncan, as well as a principal from an elementary in Memphis and other advocates statements'. 

     I'd dare to say that we are being a little Hippocratic, the reason for that being whats the sense in advertising across the country that things aren't working and need to change without first pinpointing the problem. The problem isn't that teachers/administrators serve children unfairly or unjust but that the system is too. With all the information presented the Department of Education's report, someone could decipher exactly where the problem lies. Maybe it is some piece of legislation or policy that isn't written clear or maybe it just needs to be amended to suit pupils who are age appropriate. The fact still remains just advertising it alone will not help, for it was always well known.

Poetry For Women (For Women, By Women, About Women)

FREE BUT UNEQUAL

Have we not progressed?
What kind of world are we living in?
Women getting smaller wages?
Men telling us to get back in the kitchen?
We are worth more than we get credit for
We have more to offer than to kitchen slave
To cook and clean for husbands
Giving birth to children to raise
The head of the house should be a partnership
Both the husband and the wife
Each should have a part
In making the decisions in life
Isn't equality for women
Something we worked on years ago?
But men still get higher wages than us
And that just goes to show
That men still think they are better
They think they rule this land
That women are just helpless
So they take the upper hand
But truth is we aren't helpless
And we deserve equal rights
In work, school, and home
And it has become a huge plight
We are moving forward
And while American may be "free"
This country cannot be deemed fair
Until everyone is given rights and equality


 Emily091

Retrieved, March 15, 2014 from http://www.powerpoetry.org/poems/free-unequal

How/ Why Kill Your Children??!!

http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1714371.1394221766!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/article-minivan-0307.jpg

For the past two days I’ve consistently read reports/ articles about a woman who drove her SUV into the ocean while her three children where inside and she herself is about seven months pregnant. My first reactions were of shock and then a little disgusted ‘what could possibly cause a mother to try and kill her own children?’ ‘Was she depressed or on some kind of drug that impaired her judgment?’ I soon realized that I was making excuses for a woman that I knew nothing about and decided to wait until the case was further developed to make any kind of ‘logical explanation’. In the reports that I had read and watched the situation had just taken place and the authorities had not charged anyone, but did take the children and place them in protective custody, a given regarding the circumstances.

Ebony Wilkerson, 32 of S.C drove her SUV into the ocean near Daytona Beach leaving her children, ages 10, 9, and 3 in the back seats of the car to drown. Reports indicate the she drove the car into the ocean after ranting about demons and her ex-husband coming to ‘get her and their children’. Wilkerson’s sister also made statements saying that she notified the authorities of her sister’s remarks, but officers who stopped her for a ‘wellbeing check’ concluded that outside of the apparent fright she displayed from her ranting’s she was aware of her surrounding and was therefore determined to be lucid and able to care for herself and her children. Officers let Wilkerson go only to hear reports of an incident involving her and her children a mere two hours later.

While it is unclear whether or not drug/ alcohol abuse played any roles within the incident, authorities have determined that her mental capacity is that of the average person, and because of such she is able and fit to stand trial. Facing three counts of attempted murder and another slew of charges many question her motives and her involvement in another car incident which caused another driver to crash into a barrier, of which she died two weeks later from injuries sustained.

While many of the preliminary reports aren’t yet released to the public one is left to wonder if drugs and mental disease aren’t factors then what else could’ve drove this woman to commit such acts.  I wonder could her pregnancy be a factor in the actions she illustrated? It is well known that pregnancy can cause emotional instability and depression, among other things. That coupled with other situations that she’s been facing daily, could lead to such a dramatic illustration of a desperate attempt to flee the chaos rising around her. But in either case I still can’t understand the need to bring the children along ‘for the ride’. The long term effects that this could possibly have on those children are mounting as the days go by. While I do understand the need of the government to make sure she is prosecuted to the proper extent for her actions, I also believe much more strongly that is the government spent less time penalizing people for certain actions rather than helping them to solve their issues, which in this case can begin from abusive relationships to endangering the welfare of minors and attempted murder by a mentally unstable person, we would have less people in lock up today for other infractions that simply needed a different kind of intervention. I’m not trying to down play the events that took place in any way, the facts still remain that she put the lives of her children in immediate danger and did so knowingly, but who’s to say that her intent isn’t real within the realms of her mind? Wilkerson’s sister maintains that her sister is a victim of spousal abuse and that her behavior arose from incidents stemming from such events, and officers conducting the ‘wellbeing check’ also determined she seemed frightened and wanted to get to a safe place out of the reach of her husband. So the rea question is what is to be done from here? Should they tear up an already broken family more or provide ways to mend what has already transpired.

Poetry For Women (By Women, For Women, About Women)

AIN'T I A WOMEN?

Photo Credits from http://ionenewsone.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/sojourner-truth.jpg

That man over there say

     a woman needs to be helped into carriages

and lifted over ditches

     and to have the best place everywhere.

Nobody ever helped me into carriages

     or over mud puddles

     or gives me a best place...

And ain't I a woman?

     Look at me

Look at my arm!

     I have plowed and planted

and gathered into barns

     and no man could head me...

And ain't I a woman?

     I could work as much

and eat as much as a man —

     when I could get to it —

and bear the lash as well

     and ain't I a woman?

I have born 13 children

     and seen most all sold into slavery

and when I cried out a mother's grief

     none but Jesus heard me...

And ain't I a woman?

     that little man in black there say

a woman can't have as much rights as a man

     cause Christ wasn't a woman

Where did your Christ come from?

     From God and a woman!

Man had nothing to do with him!

     If the first woman God ever made

was strong enough to turn the world

     upside down, all alone

together women ought to be able to turn it

     rightside up again.

Copyright © Sojourner Truth, 1852.

Poem by Sojourner Truth (1797-1883)

Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" Speech

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

                Free at last! Free at last!                Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!3

Children's Corner: Poetry (I, Too, Sing America)

I, Too, Sing America

by Langston Hughes

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong.

Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then.

Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

Ms. Child Advocate

What About The Children We Failed

 What About The Children We Failed

       As someone who as has always taken a keen eye to learning and education I must say that we have made many strides within the last decade alone, but we cannot forget those who where victims of the ignorance of those we elected as leaders. There are many different programs and initiatives aimed at helping our children to learn; The No Child Left Behind Act, Common Core State Standards, and the Race to the Top, are mostly known and publicized and while they all have their different purposes they were still put into place for the betterment of our children which is our future. But what has been bothering me dearly is not no one is thinking about those children who fell through the cracks; the students 'pushed out' of schools by educators who weren't willing to do what was necessary ( which could vary from talking to calling in parents or involving social services for the betterment of the family). They instead opted for the easy way out which was to either watch our students self destruct or give them a little push by showing them how little you actually care about their educations, well beings, and futures. On the mainland the 'school to prison pipeline' has raised questions and concerns all over the nation and has sparked nation wide controversies detailing the insignificant/ petty infractions that are being used to incarcerate our youths and keep our race and our children on the stagnant level and path of destruction that they've witnessed and come to know so well.

       Students shouldn't be allowed to make a rash decision and have that hinder their lives forever. School fights, while not encouraged, aren't uncommon so why should a fight in school lead to an arrest for assault? Why aren't there any school policies that dictate what should happen when such an incident takes place, and why would the police become involved in a matter that should be settled by those who have students best interest at heart, instead of those whose sole goal within their careers are to make arrests and incarcerate? Why are so many of our youths spending their precious lives wasting away on corners, in gutters, and back ally ways drinking, smoking, abusing drugs, and everything else nonconstructive? Because its the place we have left them to be. Its because we as society didn't demand that a program be set in place to detour these youths, teach them the right way, and give them the tools necessary to teach another. What we did demand was lower crime rates instead of more public schools and books for those already in place. We didn't demand a new education commissioner when our high school drop out rates where the highest and students tested the lowest, we demanded retroactive pay and tax returns ( of which many people are still waiting for). And in a time when education should be on the forefront seeing as to how our economy is steadily declining and our best hopes are through tourism and rum to some how magically make our ever rising deficit go away our elected officials, to be specific the Government House and The Legislature are too busy 'picking up and dropping words' at each other via press releases and comments made through the media as if the public doesn't know who it has to blame; THE PUBLIC.

      The public is to blame because we are the ones who has given every single one of those elected officials, all whom hold decision making authority or influence, the power that they harness and put to no good use. If we, the people of this territory whose lives and the lives of our children are those at stake, don't begin to let our voices be heard then we will never be able to relish celebrating the accomplishment of one of our fellow virgin islanders without having to resent the actions of another who could have done better, but was never afforded the opportunity because of his address or an infraction in high school that made him a criminal. Where are the programs to get these children off the streets and to keep them out of jail? What about the children that we as a community have already failed? Do we leave them out on the streets to declare 'another one bites the dust' when we hear of another shooting where a young man was left lifeless or a young lady? Do we sit back and watch as they abuse substances then become menaces in society? Do we shun them and talk about how they once where? Because none of these things are creating solutions within a society that is seemingly embellishing in these problems.  

Too Much Violence and Abuse in Schools!!

 Over the past week and a half I've read some very disturbing reports of people whose job classifies them as 'education officials' but their actions define them otherwise; ignorant human beings. Teachers locking students in closets, verbal and physical abuse of students, and the use of racial slurs between pupils and in one horrid example a principal. How are we to expect students to focus on the importance of education when they are steadily side tracked with numerous, ominous situations that test their resilience constantly?

While the situation maybe considered to have been blown out of proportion a little, its still blatantly clear that the use of the N word was inappropriate and possibly uncalled for within the situation at hand. Principal Claudia Alves, of an elementary in Washington, opted to explain to students of the fifth grade why the word 'negro' is better than the N word. Students from the fifth grade class had become uncomfortable using the word negro in preparations for a play n observance of Dr. Martin Luther Kings holiday program, so principal Alves decided to explain why they shouldn't be uncomfortable with the word negro, but the N word. While there is no dialogue that outline the complete conversation, it is clear that her explanation only served to make matters worse. While one can empathize with the sensitivity of the situation, as an administrator, this principal should have been able to conclude that such a conversation with fifth grade students would have been controversial in some context.

In more disturbing news, high schools in Wake County, N.C are apparently 'flooding' the 'school to prison pipeline' with offenses as little as skipping line in the cafeteria. Students engaged within altercations over racial bias are sent to juvenile courts and placed on probation. One student engaged in such a situation after he was verbally assaulted with racial slurs and punched in the face, ended up being sent to juvenile court as well, where students receive juvenile criminal records; a stigma that never leaves them. Such incidents and others more gruesome attribute to the need for the new first federal legal guidance on school discipline.

Last, but certainly not least, a young man in high school was assaulted by officers for what apparently was a misunderstanding that lead to a straight A. high school basketball player receiving a ruptured testicle! Reports state that an patrol officer reported seeing teenagers in ski masks, while school officials with the team says they where given scarfs along with other gear to dress appropriately for the weather. Officers stopped this teen, who didn't give chase as other members of his team did, and reported a struggle, but their where no injuries reported to any officers. According to statements made by the teenager, a female officer whom searched him sexually assaulted him during the search while squeezing his testicles until he 'felt a pop'. The following day the teen underwent surgery and is now in a wheelchair pending recovery. Statements made by the teens mother state this may affect his ability to reproduce. He is the sole victim of this encounter and its because everyone else knew to be afraid of the police, although they hadn't done anything wrong, and to run away. Is this what we should be teaching our children? To fear the police, those who have sworn to protect us?

These incidents, while all different by nature, all have lasting negative effects/impacts that if left untreated, may become harmful to student morale. I was enlightened to read about an NFL figure that stood up against those bashing him as a 'thug' because of his actions at a football game. Football is well known for taunting, as are other sports, so why would reporters nationwide describe this black male, a college graduate and professional athlete as a 'thug' is unbeknownst to many. I do however agree with him that the word 'thug' is being used as a racial slur to describe black males, and while it may or may not be sued as a substitute for the N word, I do empathize with him and I'm sure each case must be judged individually.

Racial bias within schools has dramatically changed, as have the times but it isn't to an acceptable rate given the laws and ideals that we as humanity have set forth; it starts within the community.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/24/claudia-alves-washington_n_4661483.html?ir=Black%20Voices&utm_campaign=012414&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-black-voices&utm_content=Photo

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/23/school-to-prison-pipeline-wake-county_n_4654351.html?ir=Black%20Voices

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/23/darrin-manning-testicle-rupture_n_4651700.html?ir=Black%20Voices

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/22/richard-sherman-thug-n-word-press-conference_n_4646871.html?ir=Black%20Voices&utm_campaign=012214&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-black-voices&utm_content=Photo

Children's Corner; Short Stories

The Negro Mother

Children, I come back today
To tell you a story of the long dark way
That I had to climb, that I had to know
In order that the race might live and grow.
Look at my face -- dark as the night --
Yet shining like the sun with love's true light.
I am the dark girl who crossed the red sea
Carrying in my body the seed of the free.
I am the woman who worked in the field
Bringing the cotton and the corn to yield.
I am the one who labored as a slave,
Beaten and mistreated for the work that I gave --
Children sold away from me, I'm husband sold, too.
No safety , no love, no respect was I due.

Three hundred years in the deepest South:
But God put a song and a prayer in my mouth .
God put a dream like steel in my soul.
Now, through my children, I'm reaching the goal.

Now, through my children, young and free,
I realized the blessing deed to me.
I couldn't read then. I couldn't write.
I had nothing, back there in the night.
Sometimes, the valley was filled with tears,
But I kept trudging on through the lonely years.
Sometimes, the road was hot with the sun,
But I had to keep on till my work was done:
I had to keep on! No stopping for me --
I was the seed of the coming Free.
I nourished the dream that nothing could smother
Deep in my breast -- the Negro mother.
I had only hope then , but now through you,
Dark ones of today, my dreams must come true:
All you dark children in the world out there,
Remember my sweat, my pain, my despair.
Remember my years, heavy with sorrow --
And make of those years a torch for tomorrow.
Make of my pass a road to the light
Out of the darkness, the ignorance, the night.
Lift high my banner out of the dust.
Stand like free men supporting my trust.
Believe in the right, let none push you back.
Remember the whip and the slaver's track.
Remember how the strong in struggle and strife
Still bar you the way, and deny you life --
But march ever forward, breaking down bars.
Look ever upward at the sun and the stars.
Oh, my dark children, may my dreams and my prayers
Impel you forever up the great stairs --
For I will be with you till no white brother
Dares keep down the children of the Negro Mother.

BY
Langston Hughes

Children's Corner; Poetry

Flight 

On silver sand where ripples curled

I counted sea-gulls seven;

Shy, secret screened from all the world,

And innocent as heaven.

They did not of my nearness know,

For dawn was barely bright,

And they were still, like spots of snow

In that pale, pearly light.

Then one went forth unto the sea

That rippled up in gold,

And there were rubies flashing free

From out its wing-unfold;

It ducked and dived in pretty play,

The while the other six

So gravely sat it seemed that they

Were marvelled by its tricks.

Then with a sudden flurry each

Down-rushed to join its mate,

And in a flash that sickle beach

With rapture was elate.

With joy they pranked till everyone

Was diamonded with spray,

Then flicked with flame to greet the sun

They rose and winged away.

But with their going, oh, the surge

Of loss they left in me!

For in my heart was born the urge,

The passion to be free.

And where each dawn with terror brings

Some tale of bale and blight,

Who would not envy silver wings,

The sea-gull in its flight!

Let me not know the soils of woe

That chain this stricken earth;

Let me forget the fear and fret

That bind men from their birth;

Let me be the one with wind and sun,

With earth and sky and sea. . . .

Oh, let me teach in living speech

God's glory - Liberty.

BY 

Robert Service

Children's Corner; Poetry

EMANCIPATION


No rack can torture me,
My soul's at liberty
Behind this mortal bone
There knits a bolder one

You cannot prick with saw,
Nor rend with scymitar.
Two bodies therefore be;
Bind one, and one will flee.

The eagle of his nest
No easier divest
And gain the sky,
Than mayest thou,

Except thyself may be
Thine enemy;
Captivity is consciousness,
So's liberty.

BY
Emily Dickinson