What tha @!*% . . .

What is really going on? This is a hot mess. Please try to bear with it until the end. http://www.vh1.com/vspot/player.jhtml?lnk=v&vid=126388&source=VS_VIDEO:undefined:Tha+Interrogation#126388&launchedFrom=/vspot/

Not This Time!!

In one of my classes today, my students were working on family history projects. These projects required some research, and we were using wireless laptops in my room. My students were well aware of the fact that I do not allow them to play music aloud from their computers. So one student decided to try me today.

He started playing, "On the Hotline" by Pretty Ricky. All I heard was "Let's talk about sex baby." So I said, "Someone is about to lose his computer privilege if he doesn't turn his music off." Normally when I say this, after getting the attention he/she needed, the student will turn the music off and I don't have to make a scene. I guess this student wanted to be extra funny and he continued to play the music so that the whole class could here it: ". . . cause im home alone lustin' for ya im in my room nothin but a towel on take them granny panties off put a thong on i love it when i hear you moan you got that sexy tone." I went to his computer, muted it and began to take it away from him. He put his hands around the computer and said, "No please don't take it. I'll turn it off." Then in a real quiet voice, "Please don't. I'm having family problems." I looked at him like he was crazy. I said, "No you're not. You told me that last time."

My student may very well be having problems at home, but it wasn't working this time. He knew exactly what he was doing. There are students who have behavior problems because of their home lives, but I wonder how many students take advantage of the idea that people will treat them differently based on their "hard-knock life." I will even go as far as to say that some students live up to the stereotypes about growing up black. For example, students hear "well you know his father is in jail," or "she comes from a single parent home," or "most young black males are unfairly being kicked out of class," or "young black women are prone to be promiscuous" and use those stereotypes as a scapegoat for their bad behavior. And with some teachers/people, they are allowed to get away with whatever.

I understand that we are all products of our environment, but at some point, we all have to be held accountable for our own actions. I truly believe that our young black males and females are being babied by some teachers because they are "poor little unfortunate black kids." This babying enables their inappropriate, often obnoxious, rude behaviors. And by the time they reach high school, they are Out Of Control!!

Can we please be in prayer for our youth and the people responsible for their education?

Getting a Grip!!

My Sheepfold Ministry group at church is reading a new book entitled, "Getting a Grip--Finding Balance in Your Daily Life," by Bill Hybels with Kevin and Sherry Harney. The book is divided into 6 sessions: 1.) Getting a Grip on Your Life 2.) Getting a Grip on Your Schedule 3.) Getting a Grip on Your Body 4.) Getting a Grip on Your Finances 5.) Getting a Grip on Your Spiritual Life and 6.) Getting a Grip on Your Relationships. We're only on session 2 and the book has already provided an eye-opening experience for me.

In session one, the text asked the reader to create a pie graph portraying her life. When I created my pie graph, I noticed that my vocation took up 3/4 of my pie graph. This was no surprise to me. I know that my job consumes most of my time; however, what surprised me most was what I tried to squeeze into that last little 1/4 of my life. I had "family," "spritual growth," and "other." It was sad to me. I almost cried. I barely had time for my husband, my other family, myself, and most importantly, God. Fitness, friendships, hobbies, and recreation were not even an option on my circle. I really miss my friends, and sometimes I miss myself.

The text suggests reading Genesis 1:1-27 and asking yourself, "How do you see God creating order out of chaos in the account of creation?" The text also asks, "If human beings are created in the image of God, and God is a God of order, what do you learn about humanity from [Genesis 1:26]?" If God is a God of order, we need to be humans of order and not chaos. While my life doesn't seem chaotic, it certainly isn't well balanced. And in my mind, God is at the center of my life, but looking at my pie graph, it doesn't appear that way.

Bottom line, I am thankful to be going to these sessions and analyzing my life so that I can Get a Grip. As the sessions continue, hopefully I will have more inciteful things to share. I pray that each of you recognize how you are spending time in your life. Make sure that no matter what, God is at the center.

The Audacity!!

Why did one of my students steal my MP3 Player? I was out one Friday and had to get a sub. The student went inside my desk and stole my Samsung MP3 Player ( I know I should not have left it there, but that’s another story). Fortunately, for me, an honest student saw him do it. On top of that, like most dumb criminals, he went around bragging that he had taken it out of my desk. When I came back, the honest student told me what happened. I told an administrator and he denied stealing it for about 3 days until we brought in his mom, the police unit, and charges.
Finally he confessed and the MP3 player was returned; however, it was not complete. When he stole it, it had my USB chord attached to it, but when he returned it, it did not have the chord. Apparently he lost it. So basically I have an MP3 player to which I cannot upload songs. I called his mom about the chord and she said he didn’t have it. I was thinking, “Well you need to replace it.”
But this ain’t even what I’m mad about. I’ve gotten over the fact that this [Beautiful child of God] stole my stuff--that was so November. What I’m really mad about is school started back this week. That very same student was listening to music through some sort of device in my class. I asked him to put whatever he had away or I would take it. I just so happened to look down and saw what was playing his music. In my head I said, “How did you get my MP3 player again.” Then I remembered, “Oh yeah, mine is at home.” Tell me why his mother (or somebody) had the audacity to go and buy him the exact same MP3 player he had stolen from me (I guess he got it for Christmas). I almost jerked it straight out of his hand, but the Holy Spirit . . .
I could not believe that someone bought that for him. What kind of lesson was he being taught? I mean he did get a 10 day vacation, I mean suspension, but still. That’s what’s wrong with kids today (well at least one thing). Many of them never really have to face true consequences for their actions. They do what they want to do without a conscience. We have got to start holding these students accountable.
And I’m done.